How to improve FPS in Helldivers 2 (PC)
Helldivers 2 is a visually impressive game with volumetric lighting, explosion effects, and highly detailed environments. It's one of the most GPU-demanding games of its generation. DLSS and FSR are practically mandatory to achieve stable 60 FPS on mid-to-high-range hardware. The biggest performance enemies are Shadow Quality, Bloom, and Volumetric Fog, which have disproportionate GPU costs. Large battles with many enemies also cause notable FPS drops.
This is what you'd gain with a NVIDIA RTX 4060
Calculations based on our FPS model combined with the % gain of each setting (measured in public benchmarks). Calculate your exact FPS with your own hardware →
1. Quick wins (no visual loss)
Start here. Each one adds a little, but together they give +12% free FPS.
Motion Blur
Motion Blur Off gives a sharper image during Helldivers 2's chaotic combat. No visual cost.
Depth of Field
DoF in HD2 can make reading the combat zone harder during the chaos of battle. Off gives a sharper image and saves GPU.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic Aberration Off gives a cleaner image with no quality cost.
Vignette
Screen edge darkening adds nothing in an action game. Always off.
2. Medium impact settings
Here's where most of the FPS is. Minor visual impact, major performance impact.
Shadow Quality
Shadow Quality is Helldivers 2's most expensive setting. From Ultra to Medium it can give 15-20 additional FPS. The visual difference during the game's dynamic combat is minimal.
Volumetric Fog
Volumetric Fog creates the atmospheric look so characteristic of HD2's planets. It has significant GPU cost. Medium maintains atmosphere with better performance; Low for maximum FPS.
Bloom
Bloom in HD2 adds glow to explosions and lights. Off gives a sharper image and saves GPU. Low is the balance if you want to keep some of the effect.
Texture Quality
Ultra textures use additional VRAM with lesser visual difference. High is the optimal point for GPUs with 8-12 GB VRAM.
Foliage Quality
Vegetation quality on planets with green biomes is expensive in HD2. Medium maintains good vegetation density with clear GPU savings.
3. Upscaling (DLSS / FSR / XeSS)
The biggest gain in the game. Compatible with almost any modern GPU.
DLSS Quality (NVIDIA RTX)
+35% FPSDLSS is practically mandatory in Helldivers 2 for mid-range GPUs. Quality offers excellent image with substantial FPS gain. For HD2 in massive battles, consider Balanced.
FSR Quality (AMD y NVIDIA no-RTX)
+25% FPSFSR Quality in HD2 gives good image quality. Essential for AMD or NVIDIA non-RTX GPUs to reach stable 60 FPS.
DLSS Frame Generation (RTX 40-series)
+65% FPSWith RTX 40-series, Frame Generation + DLSS Quality transforms Helldivers 2 into an extremely fluid experience. Only if you already have 40+ base FPS without FG.
4. Tips by GPU
NVIDIA
- •DLSS Quality is highly recommended in HD2 for RTX — the game is very demanding and DLSS gives the most important FPS gain.
- •For RTX 40-series: Frame Generation + DLSS Quality is the definitive HD2 configuration. Very smooth experience even at 1440p.
- •Resizable BAR gives 2-4% in HD2. Enable it in BIOS.
AMD
- •FSR Quality is the most important tool for AMD in HD2. Without FSR, mid-range AMD GPUs can struggle to maintain stable 60 FPS in battles.
- •SAM (Smart Access Memory) gives 3-5% in HD2. Enable it in BIOS.
- •RX 7600/7700 XT with FSR Quality have good performance in HD2 at 1080p.
Sistema
- •16 GB of RAM is the minimum for HD2 without stuttering. 32 GB is comfortable in long sessions.
- •Massive battles against Terminids or Automatons are the most demanding scenario — expect FPS drops in the largest hordes regardless of hardware.
- •High Performance power plan in Windows to maintain stable FPS between quiet and massive battles.
5. Known game issues
FPS drops in massive horde battles
When dozens of Terminids or Automatons are simultaneously on screen, GPU and CPU reach their limits. Shadow Quality Medium and Volumetric Fog Low are the most effective mitigations.
Stuttering when entering new planetary zones
HD2 has micro-stutters when loading new planet sections during a mission. Normal on the first visit to a zone — reduces on repeated missions (shader caching).
Estado: Improved in post-launch patches (2024)
GPU crashes on GPUs with less than 8 GB VRAM
Helldivers 2 can crash the GPU on 6 GB VRAM cards with high settings. Lowering Texture Quality to High and Volumetric Fog to Low reduces VRAM usage.
6. Frequently asked questions
How many FPS does an RTX 4060 get in Helldivers 2?▾
Why is Helldivers 2 so demanding?▾
DLSS or FSR in HD2?▾
What setting gives the most FPS in Helldivers 2?▾
Want to know exactly how many FPS YOUR PC will get?
Enter your GPU and CPU in our calculator and measure the real impact of each setting.
Calculations based on consensus of technical sources and our own FPS model. More about our methodology →