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You wait inside the dropship for the match to begin.
Below you is a huge map filled with buildings, cliffs, supply bins—and several squads that probably want the same landing spot.
The Jumpmaster chooses a direction.
Good. We are landing there.
Then another squad turns toward exactly the same place.
Wait. You are coming here too?
The moment you touch the ground, you search for a weapon, armour, ammunition, and your teammates.
You are still getting ready when gunfire starts nearby.
It has already started? I have not even found the correct bullets!
Apex Legends is a free-to-play hero shooter built around fast squad battles. You land, collect gear, use your Legend’s abilities, and work with your team to survive.
Choosing where to land matters.
Choosing when to fight matters.
Knowing when to retreat matters.
Staying with your squad matters.
Then an enemy appears, and all that careful thinking becomes shoot, move, use an ability, help your teammate, and please stop missing.
When it all works, Apex feels wonderfully fast and satisfying.
When the screen stutters, the enemy is hard to see, or your connection delays an action, it is easy to shout, “That one should have hit!”
Before chasing the Champion title, let’s check whether your PC and connection are ready.
Check your PC with PCGameChecker
The quick answer: Apex can start on modest hardware, but smooth fights matter
Apex Legends is not the heaviest PC game, but “the game opens” and “the gunfight feels good” are two very different targets.
A basic laptop made mainly for browsing and videos may struggle. A gaming PC has a better chance, but the frame rate, graphics settings, and internet connection still affect how comfortable each fight feels.
The important question is whether you can see movement clearly, aim comfortably, and react when several abilities and players fill the screen.
EA describes its recommended requirements as the target for smooth 60 FPS play. That is a more useful starting point for beginners who want the action to feel comfortable.
What kind of game is Apex Legends?
Apex Legends combines a battle royale with heroes called Legends. Each Legend has different abilities, so the game is about teamwork and positioning as well as shooting.
▶ Choose a Legend
▶ Land with your squad
▶ Find weapons and armour
▶ Use abilities
▶ Move before the ring closes
▶ Revive and support teammates
▶ Fight for the final position
Some Legends scan for enemies. Some protect the squad. Some create movement opportunities or make it easier to escape.
This means a new player has plenty to learn. The controls may briefly feel as though your fingers have started their first day at work.
That is normal. Start with one Legend, stay near your squad, and learn one job at a time.
What kind of PC is good for Apex Legends?
| Your PC or goal | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Everyday laptop with integrated graphics | It may struggle. Check the GPU first. |
| Entry-level gaming PC | May run Apex with adjusted settings. Compare it with the official requirements. |
| Mid-range gaming PC | A better target for comfortable 1080p play and steadier fights. |
| High-refresh competitive play | Needs more CPU and GPU headroom than the basic recommended requirements. |
You do not have to identify every component by hand. PCGameChecker can scan the CPU, GPU, and memory and give you a simple five-star estimate.
View the detailed PC requirements ← click
These are EA’s current minimum and recommended requirements.
| PC part | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 | 64-bit Windows 10 |
| CPU | AMD FX 4350, Intel Core i3-6300, or equivalent | AMD Ryzen 5, Intel Core i5-3570K, or equivalent |
| Memory | 6 GB DDR3-1333 RAM | 8 GB DDR3-1333 RAM |
| GPU | AMD Radeon HD 7790 2 GB or Nvidia GTX 950 | AMD Radeon R9 290 or Nvidia GTX 970 |
| DirectX | DirectX 12 compatible GPU | DirectX 12 compatible GPU |
| Internet | 512 Kbps or faster | Broadband connection |
| Storage | 75 GB | 75 GB |
Beginner shortcut
The minimum column is the starting line. EA’s recommended level targets smoother 60 FPS play. Higher refresh rates or stronger visual settings can require more power.
Requirements checked September 9, 2026. Source: EA: Apex Legends System Requirements
When does Apex feel heavy?
The PC works hardest when a quiet area suddenly becomes a full squad fight.
Several enemies move across the screen.
Smoke, explosions, shields, and abilities appear.
You turn quickly while tracking a target.
Your squad rushes forward at the same time.
Fast gunfights
The GPU must draw changing action clearly and the CPU must keep the game moving.
Several abilities at once
More effects and movement can reveal stuttering that was hidden during quiet moments.
Large updates and limited storage
Apex needs substantial free space, and keeping enough room available helps updates install smoothly.
Which PC parts matter?
GPU
Draws players, effects, shadows, and the map. It strongly affects graphics settings and frame rate.
CPU
Processes the rapidly changing match behind the picture. It matters more when you aim for a high frame rate.
Memory
Gives Apex, Windows, and background programs room to work. Closing unused programs can help a limited system.
Internet connection
Carries every movement and shot between your PC and the server. Stability and latency matter more than a large headline download speed.
Is it the PC or the connection?
Both problems can feel like “lag,” but they often look different.
The whole picture becomes choppy in busy scenes
Start by checking graphics settings and PC performance.
Players jump, freeze, or move strangely
Check your connection, Wi-Fi stability, and ping.
Controls feel delayed while the picture stays smooth
The connection and input settings are worth checking.
A strong PC still needs a stable route to the server. For online shooters, a consistent connection can matter more than simply paying for the highest advertised speed.
How to make Apex Legends run more smoothly
- Lower the graphics quality
- Reduce shadows and effects
- Close programs you are not using
- Update your graphics driver
- Keep enough storage space free
- Use a stable wired connection or stronger Wi-Fi when possible
Change one setting at a time and test a match. This makes it easier to see which change actually helped.
Still unsure? Let PCGameChecker take a look
The question you really want answered is simple:
“Can my PC run Apex Legends?”
PCGameChecker scans your main PC parts and shows a beginner-friendly five-star estimate, plus the part most likely to affect the game.
Check your PC before chasing the Champion title
Apex Legends is fast, tactical, and full of moments when a calm plan becomes complete chaos.
A smoother frame rate helps you see and react. A stable connection helps your actions reach the server consistently.
Check your PC, choose a Legend, stay with your squad—and try to find a weapon before the shooting starts.
