Hades IIis the much-anticipated sequel to the original game that launched back in 2020 and is catching up to the popularity of the original. It has “Very Positive” reviews on Steam not only because of its engaging and challenging gameplay, but its stunning visual style and the fact that it doesn’t require a beefy system to run optimally. The game has been developed by Supergiant Games, and it is “Verified” to run on the Steam Deck as well. This means you’re able to get an excellentHades IIexperience on the go, and that’s where the followinggaming laptopscome in.
Modern gaming laptops are powerful enough to run the most demanding games, but for a game likeHades II, you don’t need the absolute best of the best. Even a fairly equippedthin and lightwill be able to run the game. That doesn’t mean you can get the best gaming experience on the cheapest gaming laptop either, so here are some of the best laptops forHades II, followed by factors you should consider when buying a new gaming laptop.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (RTX 4050)
Acer Predator Helios Neo 18
The following are the minimum and recommended requirements forHades II,as shared by Supergiant Games:
OS: Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Dual Core 2.4 GHz
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 950, Radeon R7 360, or Intel HD Graphics 630
Storage: 10 GB available space
Processor: Quad Core 2.4ghz
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060, Radeon RX 5600 XT, or Intel Arc A580
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Gaming Laptops for Hades II in 2024
Acer Predator Helios 16 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX processor. This CPU is designed for high-performance tasks like gaming and video editing. The laptop features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with updated ray-tracing graphics.The display is 16 inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It has a WQXGA LED panel that offers a 165 Hz refresh rate and a 3 ms Overdrive response time.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 checks all the right boxes when it comes to delivering an excellent gaming experience inHades II. It has a large 16-inch high resolution display that can refresh at up to 165Hz. It is an IPS display with a2560x1600 resolutionand a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical screen real estate. You get 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, which is plenty for most modern games, includingHades II.
What’s powering this excellent experience is the Intel Core i7-13700HX and the Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU that can take the full 140W of available power. This CPU and GPU combination is much higher than the recommended settings from the developer, so it will be more than enough to enjoy the game at maximum settings, running at the native 1600p resolution at a high FPS. All this performance is backed by a 90Wh battery that can be charged via the included 330W adapter or the USB Type-C port.
If you plan on using the Acer Predator Helios 16’s keyboard and not a controller, you will be pleased to know that it hasmechanical switcheswith short key travel (0.3mm) per-key RGB lighting. However, most gamers would likely go with a controller, even on a PC, to get the best experience inHades II.
With the Predator Helios 16, Acer is using its AeroBlade 3D fan cooling system, which is in its fifth generation. A liquid metal thermal compound is also in use alongside two fans and well laid out heatpipes.
MSI Cyborg 15
The MSI Cyborg 15 (A13VE-218US) is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that features the 13th-Gen Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. It comes with a 15.6-inch FHD, IPS-level display capable of 144Hz refresh rate. The laptop has two 2W speakers and a single color backlight for the keyboard.
As mentioned earlier, you don’t need to invest in the latest and greatest to get the best experience inHades II. The MSI Cyborg 15 stands as the perfectbudget-friendly gaming laptopfor less demanding games likeHadesII. You get a 15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080), IPS-level display that can refresh at up to 144Hz. It is not going to be the most color accurate or the most responsive, but that is to be expected from a cheap gaming laptop that is well below the $1000 price point. In fact, it is often discounted and sells for $800.
The MSI Cyborg 15 is powered by the Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU with 6GB VRAM. On paper, this may seem like a low VRAM number, but it is the same amount of VRAM as the Nvidia RTX 2060 and the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which are the recommended GPUs forHades II. In combination with the Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, 16GB RAM, and only a 1080p display, the MSI Cyborg 15 will run the game without breaking a sweat.
For storage, you get a 512GB NVMe SSD, one of the compromises that come with a budget gaming laptop. Another compromise that comes with the MSI Cyborg 15 is the small battery, 53.5Wh, but you will likely only be gaming on it while connected to the wall with the included 120W power adapter. You get ample connectivity options and the keyboard, while comfortable to type on, only has a blue backlight.
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (G614JIR-XS96)
The ROG Strix G16 (2024) G614JIR-XS96 is a high-performance gaming laptop that features an Intel Core i9 14900HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, a combination that can smoothly run all AAA titles, with minor tweaks to the settings. It has a bright and crisp 16-inch (2560x1600) display that is capable of a 240Hz refresh rate.
Right off the bat, an RTX 4070 is overkill forHades II, but if budget is of no concern, and you want the absolute best performance, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) G614 is for you. It features the full 140W RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB VRAM, which can easily run the game at the native QHD+ (2560x1600) resolution. On top of that, you get an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU as well and this combination will let you hit the240Hz maximum refresh ratethis panel is capable of.
Speaking of the panel, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) G614 comes with a 16-inch IPS-level display and the company calls it Nebula Display. It is color calibrated and has 500 nits peak brightness, support for Dolby Vision, and Nvidia G-Sync. It is a beautiful display that will showcase the colors and visual beauty ofHades IIas it is meant to be experienced. The features of this premium laptop don’t just stop at the display but continue to the cooling, keyboard, trackpad, and other areas.
ASUS is using a triple-fan cooling system in combination with seven heatpipes and Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both the CPU and the GPU. As for the keyboard, you get per-key RGB lighting and support for Overstroke technology that registers keypresses earlier in the stroke for quicker actuation and faster inputs. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) G614 is backed by a 90Wh battery with support for Type-C rapid charging.
MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is a thin and light laptop that is ideal for day-to-day tasks. It is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU and Intel ARC graphics. It comes with 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and 2TB NVMe SSD storage. The OLED display is 16 inches and has a resolution of 3840x2400 with 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
TheIntel Core Ultraand Ryzen AI processors are low power, but highly efficient mobile processors that make use of AI to optimize workflows. Because of their efficiency levels, the laptops housing these CPUs with integrated graphics are extremely thin and light when compared to typical gaming laptops. While they are not advertised as gaming laptops, they are highly capable and the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO is a prime example of that.
The MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7-155H with ARC graphics, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. It features a 16-inch QHD+ IPS display at 2560x1600 resolution, but you only get a 60Hz refresh rate, which means you will be stuck with maximum 60 FPS. While this would have been a deal-breaker for competitive shooters,Hades IIwill be just as enjoyable here as on a 240Hz panel.
The overall convenience that the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO brings goes beyond its thin and light form factor. The 1.5 kg and 19mm thick chassis still houses a 99.9Wh battery, so expect excellent battery life of this machine. On top of that, it supports 100W charging via USB Type-C, so you may carry a single cable for your phone, laptop, and other devices. The keyboard has a white backlight but for the best feedback, go with an external mechanical keyboard or a controller.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor and the Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU. It features a 14-inch QHD 2560x1440 dispaly that can refresh at 165Hz. The laptop comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage and, despite the compact form factor, it is backed by a 76WHr.
Laptops, for the most part, are supposed to be portable, and while a 16-inch or even 18-inch laptop is still portable, at least more portable than a desktop computer, it is not the ideal form factor for those looking to travel with their laptop. Enter the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and its compact 14-inch display. Even though the screen is small, the performance is decent. It is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor and the Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU.
This CPU and GPU combo can not only run the game at the native 14-inch QHD 2560x1440 resolution, but also hit a super high FPS consistently. The display is capable of hitting 165Hz, but you don’t need that high of an FPS rate to enjoyHades II. Anywhere in the 60-120 FPS range is sufficient for the game and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 can hit that easily. You also get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
ASUS sells the ROG Zephyrus G14 in black and Moonlight White, making it one of the few white gaming laptops on the market. Other than the bezel around the display, everything on this Moonlight White laptop is white. It will be more challenging to keep clean, as it will show oil stains and discoloration more prominently, but, in terms of looks, the Zephyrus G14 Moonlight White isan elegant-looking machine.
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 is a great budget-friendly option that is powered by the 14th Gen Core i7-14700HX CPU and the Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU (140W). It packs 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage with a 90Wh battery that can be charged via the 330W power adapter.
While laptops and portability go hand in hand, many users stay planted with their laptops at their desk. These users would prefer to have a bigger screen rather than a compact one, and18 inches is the biggest you can gowith commercially available laptops. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 stands as the best value large screen gaming laptop, especially forHades II. It is powered by the Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU and the Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, which is pretty overkill for a game likeHades II.
This means you can max out the graphics and enjoy the game how it is meant to be played. The 18-inch 2560x1600 IPS display refreshes at up to165Hz and the combination of this CPU and GPU should be able to run most modern games at native resolution and 60+ FPS. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is pretty standard.
Some may argue that an 18-inch laptop should come with a 4K display rather than a 2K display, but driving a 4K display is much harder and consumes more power, thereby significantly increasing the price of the laptop. The Predator Helios Neo 18 hits the sweet spot of resolution and horsepower.
Like the Predator Helio 16, the Predator Helios Neo 18 also uses the 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fan cooling system which can keep the CPU and the GPU cool no matter how many hours you spend inHades II.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Laptop for Hades II
Finding the best gaming laptop for any game can be challenging, so consider the following factors to make the purchase decision easier:
Resolution and FPS
Competitive shooters and games that involve fast movement benefit from a higher FPS, but that’s not exactly the case withHades II. While it is a fast-paced, quick reflex-based game, it works best in the 60-120Hz window as the extra frames over that don’t really benefit gameplay. That being said, having the ability to reach those high frame rates is always a bonus. Therefore, a gaming laptop with a 2K display would be ideal forHades II.
Screen Size
Gaming laptops are available in many different screen sizes. The smaller the screen size, the more compact and portable the laptop will be, but you may need to make some compromises on the performance front. A 14-inch laptop like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or an 18-inch beast like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 are the best at the two ends of the spectrum.
CPU and GPU
For more demanding games, the need for beefy gaming laptops arises, but for something likeHades II, a mid-tier setup will suffice. Depending on the resolution you are targeting, you could get away with only a CPU with integrated graphics like the Intel Core Ultra 7-155H in the MSI Prestige 16 AI EVO. But for gaming at 2K, at least an RTX 4060 GPU is recommended.
FAQ
Q: Is Hades 2 a demanding game?
As per the recommended requirements from the developers, Hades II is not a very demanding game and a low to mid-tier PC should be able to run the game at 1080p 60 FPS.
Q: Is Hades 2 Zagreus sister?
Melinoe, the protagonist of Hades II is the daughter of Hades and Persephone, and the younger sister of Zagreus.
