Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one of the highly anticipated games of 2024, and for good reason. The sequel builds upon its predecessor in nearly every way, delivering thrilling, bloody, and chaotic combat as gamers battle their way through thousands of Tyranids to defend the Imperium. However, unlike other releases this year, Space Marine 2 is a rather demanding game. Unless you have a powerful gaming laptop, you'll need an upgrade to enter the Warhammer universe.
Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 PC Requirements
If you're wondering whether your current gaming laptop can run Space Marine 2, below are the minimum and recommended specs from the game publisher.
Space Marine 2 is slightly more demanding than other games released in 2024. If you're looking for smooth 1080p gameplay with good presets, you'll need at least an Intel Core i7-12700 or Ryzen 7 5800X paired with an RTX 3070 or AMD's RX 6800 XT. This puts it well ahead of other games like Frostpunk 2, which can run fine with an RTX 2060 Super.
The Best Gaming PC Builds For Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2
Here are some of the best gaming PC builds you can get as part of your ongoing Warhammer 40K crusade for the Emperor.
From early Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 reviews, the game is highly dependent on the CPU, meaning gamers will need a laptop with a powerful CPU to avoid bottlenecking the GPU. The good news is that NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR 2 are available and working perfectly, offering an excellent FPS boost for laptops with entry-level GPUs like the RTX 4050 and 4060. All the laptops listed below meet or exceed the recommended specifications for running Space Marine 2.
Here Are the Best Gaming Laptops to Play Space Marine 2
Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 8 (16IRX9H)
- CPU
- Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU
- NVIDIA RTX 4080
- RAM
- 16GB
- Storage
- 2TB PCIe SSD
- Battery
- 80Whr
Featuring the mighty Intel Core i9-14900HX and RTX 4080, this 16-inch powerhouse can handle Space Marine 2 in ultra settings without a hitch. It has a brilliant 1440p, 240Hz screen to immerse you in the game as you slash through the thousands of Tyranids.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, 2560x1600
- Ports
- 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, Gigabit Ethernet
- Can handle Space Marine 2 in 1440p at most presets
- Fast and responsive 240Hz display
- Excellent price for a RTX 4080 gaming laptop
- Middling battery life
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 8 is a formidable gaming machine that effortlessly handles the demanding requirements of Space Marine 2. Pairing a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and a high TGP RTX 4080 graphics card, it far exceeds the game's recommended specifications, delivering enough power for smooth 1440p gameplay in ultra settings. It also has 2TB of NVMe storage, which is plenty for Space Marine 2 and a bunch of other games.
In addition to its powerful hardware, the Legion Pro 7 Gen 8 stands out with its beautiful 1440p display that lets you enjoy Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 in all its glory. The screen is sharp and bright and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut along with Dolby Vision HDR support for even more immersion.
It supports up to 240Hz refresh rate, but you might need to dial the settings down to play the game at the maximum refresh rate of 1440p. Plus, with the excellent thermal design and excellent gaming keyboard, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7 Gen 8 might be the perfect laptop for running just about any game in 2024.
Acer Nitro 16 Gaming Laptop
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 Laptop
- RAM
- 16GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB PCIe Gen 4
- Battery
- 90WHr
If you're on a tight budget, but still want a decent gaming laptop that can handle Space Marine 2 at most presets, the Acer Nitro 16 is an excellent pick. It pairs an 8-core Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, delivering a winning combination for 1080p gaming. It has impressive battery life and quiet fans, making it an excellent all-round laptop for heavy tasks.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, 1920x1200p
- Ports
- 1x USB 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, MicroSD card slot, 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone
- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Network
- Wifi 6E
- Brand
- Acer
- Model
- AN16-41-R1WE
- Keyboard
- RGB-backlit
- Competent gaming performance
- Bright 165Hz screen
- Solid battery life
- Tinny speakers
For gamers on a budget, the Acer Nitro 16 is an excellent option that features a Ryzen 7 7840HS and an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, a hardware combination that sits just above the recommended specs for running Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Coming in at under $1,200 when on sale, this 16-inch laptop offers powerful 1080p gaming performance and supports features like DLSS 3 to maximize FPS for smoother and more responsive gameplay. The 16GB DDR5 RAM can keep up with the demands of the game, and you get enough storage for other games as well.
Opening the laptop reveals the stunning 165Hz display that instantly draws you into the game with its vibrant colors. It supports G-SYNC to eliminate screen tearing in the most demanding scenes of the game for an overall smooth and responsive gaming experience. While the built-in speakers are lackluster at best, this laptop more than makes for it with extra-long battery life and quiet fans, making it ideal for gaming on the go. Plus, you can pair it with one of the best gaming headsets to upgrade your audio performance.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (4070)
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
- GPU
- RTX 4070
- RAM
- 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage
- 1 TB Gen 4
- Battery
- 73WHrs
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800) 120Hz
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a compact powerhouse capable of handling most titles released in 2024, including Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Its sleek and lightweight design makes it ideal for students or anyone seeking a productivity machine that doubles as a gaming laptop.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Brand
- Asus
- Model
- ROG Zephyrus G14 2024
- Display type
- OLED
- Stunning OLED display
- Powerful hardware for Space Marine 2
- Compact and lightweight design
- Power-restricted 4070 GPU
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 features a thin and compact form factor but packs a tremendous amount of power under the hood. It's one of the best lightweight gaming laptops, making it ideal if you want a laptop you can easily carry to work or school during the day and play your favorite games at night. While the onboard RTX 4070 is restricted to 90W, it still delivers excellent 1440p performance when paired with the Ryzen 9 8945HS, and you can even max out its 120Hz refresh rate with DLSS or lower quality presets.
In addition to its sleek, compact design, the Zephyrus G14 stands out from other gaming laptops with its stunning OLED display that brings Space Marine 2 to life with incredible contrast and true blacks. Turning on Dolby Vision makes highlights pop even more, and you can see even the most subtle details thanks to the sharp 1440p display. Battery life is decent for a gaming laptop, lasting over 8 hours on lightweight use, but you'll need to have your charger ready when gaming. Overall, if you prioritize performance and portability on a gaming laptop, you cannot go wrong with the Zephyrus G14.
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 (G634JYR-XS97)
- CPU
- Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU
- NVIDIA RTX 4090
- RAM
- 32GB
- Storage
- 2TB
- Battery
- 90WHrs
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, 2560x1600
Powered by the best of NVIDIA and Intel, the 2024 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 is an excellent option for hard-core gamers and enthusiasts looking for the best hardware money can buy. While pricey, the Intel Core i9-14900HX and RTX 4090 combo can easily handle all modern games and newer releases for years to come, making it a reasonable investment in the long run.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G LAN port, 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone
- Exceptional gaming performance
- Bright and vibrant mini LED display
- Faster 240Hz refresh rate
- Middling battery life
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 is one of the most powerful gaming laptops in 2024, touting an Intel Core i9-14900HX and NVIDIA's top-of-the-line RTX 4090 laptop GPU. It easily exceeds all Space Marine 2 hardware specs, offering enough power to handle the game in stunning 1440p quality or even 4K if you have an external gaming monitor. You also get 32GB of RAM and 2TB of NVMe storage, so whether you need a laptop powerhouse for gaming or multitasking, it can do it all.
The display remains unchanged, featuring the same brilliant mini-LED panel as the 2023 model. It's incredibly bright, easily handling reflections when used outdoors, and brings games to life with vivid highlights and vibrant colors. With Dolby Vision support and up to 2,000 local dimming zones, cinematic games like Red Dead Redemption 2 look absolutely gorgeous. The price will be the only hurdle for most people, but the 2024 ROG Strix Scar 16 is one of the most complete gaming laptops you can get now.
MSI Raider GE68 HX
- CPU
- Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU
- NVIDIA RTX 4080
- RAM
- 64GB DDR5 5600MHz
- Storage
- 2TB
- Battery
- 99.9Whr
If you want to play Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 in breathtaking 4K quality, the MSI Raider GE68 HX is a solid pick. It has capable hardware paired with a stunning 4K mini LED display that fully immerses you into the game.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 16-inch, 2560x1600
- Ports
- 1x Thunderbolt 4, 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G LAN port, 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone, MicroSD card slot
- Gorgeous 4K display
- Extremely powerful CPU and GPU
- Excellent thermals
- A little loud
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 looks stunning in 4K resolution, but requires significant horsepower to move all those pixels. While pricey, the MSI Raider GE68 HX delivers the power you need to run the game in breathtaking 4K quality, and then some. It boasts one of the fastest gaming processors in a laptop, and the high TDP RTX 4080 can keep up with the demands of rendering the swarms of Tyranids shown on screen.
The Best 4K Laptops for 2024
Here are the best 4K laptops for different needs, be it gaming, media consumption, or productivity.
Onboard, you'll find 64GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB SSD, which is more than enough for Space Marine 2. This laptop can handle anything you throw at it, from AAA gaming to demanding productivity tasks. The display is fast and responsive, supporting up to 120Hz, and the 4K resolution with mini-LED backlighting makes every game stunning and immersive. Battery life will take a hit when running games at 4K, but it's still one of the best gaming laptops if you prioritize visual fidelity.
Acer Nitro V (ANV15-51-73B9)
- CPU
- Intel Core i7-13620H
- GPU
- NVIDIA RTX 4050
- RAM
- 16GB
- Storage
- 512GB
- Battery
- 57Whr
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 15.6-inch, 1920x1080
While slightly underpowered compared to the other options, the Acer Nitro V (ANV15-51-73B9) can still deliver respectable frame rates for Space Marine 2 in 1080p with low to medium settings. It's a perfect option for those on a really tight budget but still want a decent gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, Gigabit LAN port, 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone
- Affordable
- Excellent 1080p gaming performance
- Dedicated GPU with DLSS support
- Poor battery life
The Acer Nitro V (ANV15-51-73B9) falls right between the minimum and recommended hardware specifications for Space Marine 2, but with a bit of DLSS magic and lower quality settings, it delivers decent gaming performance. Priced under $1,000, it's the most affordable gaming laptop we recommend for running Space Marine 2 at respectable frame rates. The 512GB SSD is enough to install a couple of games, and the 16GB of RAM aligns with the game publisher's recommendations.
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The smaller 57Wh battery is the only drawback of this laptop, but it's otherwise a well-rounded package for the price. It has a 144Hz refresh rate, making games like Overwatch and other shooters smooth and responsive. You also get an excellent backlit keyboard, dual-fan cooling to keep the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions, and excellent connectivity for both work and play. Gamers also have the option to upgrade the RAM and SSD down the road, a huge advantage over cheaper notebooks.
Choosing the Best Gaming Laptop for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Not every gaming laptop can run Space Marine 2 smoothly, given its rather demanding hardware specifications. To ensure the best gaming experience, consider the following factors:
- Performance: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one of the games that can benefit significantly from a faster CPU. Having a weaker or mid-range CPU can bottleneck your GPU and hurt your FPS during demanding scenes. Ensure the laptop has at least a recent Core i7 or Ryzen 7 CPU paired with a faster GPU for the best gaming experience.
- Display: 1080p is still the preferred resolution for many gamers, but the game can truly come to life on a high-resolution display like 1440p or 4K. High-end laptops such as the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 even come with OLED and mini-LED displays, which make the game simply stunning and more immersive. However, playing the game in 1440p or 4K needs powerful hardware such as a Core i9 and RTX 4080.
- Storage: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 alone can take up to 75GB, so ensure you have enough storage space on your laptop, especially if you want to play other games. If you're on a tight budget, prioritize models that allow you to upgrade the storage and even RAM down the road.
FAQ
Q: What is the minimum specs for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2?
According to the game publisher, Focus Entertainment, gamers need an AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i5-8600K CPU paired with either a Radeon RX 580 or GTX 1060 to run Space Marine 2. You also need 8GB of RAM and 75GB of storage.
Q: Is Space Marine 2 CPU-intensive?
Space Marine 2 is a CPU-heavy game, so ensure your gaming laptop has a recent Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 processor for the best gaming performance. If you want to run the game at higher fps or higher resolution, you'll need the latest laptops with an Intel Core i9-14900HX or AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU.
Q: Will Space Marine 2 come out on PC?
Space Marine 2 was released on September 9, 2024, and is now available for purchase on Steam and the Focus Entertainment store, starting at $60.