bld4me
Writing & Verification

bld4me PC Technical Team

How We Validate

Verifier Comment

Considering this thing actually ran on the Nintendo Switch (before support was finally axed in 2026), it's a surprisingly lightweight title despite the visuals. In our testing, it ran flawlessly on handhelds and low-end gaming laptops, making it the perfect gateway game for new PC gamers.If you just want to casually grind some Apex without burning a hole in your wallet, grabbing a sub-$200 used office pre-built and slapping in a cheap used GPU is a highly viable starting point. If you get hooked, you can always upgrade your rig laterwhich is honestly the best way to get into PC building anyway.

Changelog

Article published.
On the Go

UMPC, Handheld & Laptop Performance

ROG

ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)

Grade
5
/10

Standard 512GB Edition

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
Legion

Legion Go

Grade
5
/10

512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD

1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw 8 AI+

Grade
5
/10

Claw 8 AI+ Standard (1TB)

Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw 8 AI+ (AMD Ryzen AI)

Grade
5
/10

Claw 8 AI+ (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370)

Claw 8 AI+ (Ryzen AI 9 365)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 5)

Grade
4
/10

Claw A1M-004JP (512GB)

Claw A1M i5 (1TB Custom)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
MSI

MSI Claw A1M (Intel Core Ultra 7)

Grade
5
/10

Claw A1M-002JP (1TB)

Claw A1M i7 High-End (32GB/2TB)

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
Valve

Steam Deck (LCD)

Grade
3
/10

64GB eMMC Model

256GB NVMe SSD Model

512GB NVMe SSD Model

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
Valve

Steam Deck OLED

Grade
3
/10

512GB NVMe SSD

1TB NVMe SSD

Playable
Estimated to run smoothly based on specs.
It's light enough to run on pretty much any modern gaming handheld from the 2020s. Just a heads up: EA's anti-cheat blocks SteamOS, so it's a no-go on the Steam Deck. Also, if you want competitive framerates on a laptop, you'll still need to shell out for a high-end tier machine.

The verdict is estimated based on hardware specifications, assuming a game resolution of 720p and settings at Medium or lower. A 'PLAYABLE' status does not guarantee actual gameplay performance.

PC Parts Selection Guide

Apex Legends PC Component Selection & Build Strategy

By modern standards, Apex's requirements are strictly entry-level. But pushing high resolutions or competitive refresh rates (144/240Hz) is a totally different beast. The game doesn't support frame gen or AI upscalers, meaning raw hardware rasterization translates directly to your fps. If you want top-tier performance, you need top-tier silicon.
CPU

The key to 1% lows. Single-core performance is king.

  • A Core i5-13400 or Ryzen 5 7500F will keep CPU bottlenecks to an absolute minimum.
  • If you want a locked 240fps, you really want a current-gen Core i7/i9 or one of AMD's gaming-focused Ryzen X3D chips.
Pro Advice

BUILD
BALANCE

Apex might be easy to run, but to avoid nasty frame drops during messy endgame circles with smokes and ults flying everywhere, leaving yourself some performance headroom in your CPU and GPU is absolutely crucial.
Technical Specifications

Specs: Official System Requirements

Source: Steam Store Official
The official system requirements are incredibly low. You can 'technically' boot the game on a decade-old GPU. For casual players, the biggest draw is the ridiculously low barrier to entryyou can literally slap a dirt-cheap GPU into a used office PC and start playing.

The number of ● dots quantifies the performance level required from PC components on a scale of 1 to 10.

Minimum

Recommended

CPU
FX-4350
Core i3-6300
CPU
Ryzen 5 2600
GPU
Radeon HD 7790
GeForce GTX 950
GPU
Radeon R9 290
GeForce GTX 970
RAM
6 GB
RAM
8 GB
Storage
75 GB HDD
Storage
75 GB SSD
GPU Selection & FPS Analysis

Apex Legends GPU Benchmark & FPS Guide

The official 'Minimum Requirements' (like the Radeon HD 7790) mean the game will literally just boot and barely run. If you want a stable 1080p 60fps, treating the 'Recommended' tier (R9 290 or GTX 970 equivalents) as your absolute baseline is the golden rule. That said, hitting that bar is incredibly cheap by modern standards, giving you fantastic cost-per-frame value.

Target Mapping

Chasing that pro-level 240fps requires high-end hardware, but if you're targeting the standard 144fps sweet spot, Apex is a highly forgiving title with an endless buffet of great value GPUs to choose from, both new and used. If you don't care about eye candy or high refresh rates, the game is completely playable on a modern laptop's integrated graphics (iGPU).
Radeon R9 290
OFFICIAL
GeForce GTX 970
OFFICIAL
Radeon RX 580 4GB
Radeon RX 580 8GB

Technical Evidence

The baseline specs are low, but Apex is a hardware traponce you get hooked, you will crave the smoothness of higher framerates. To future-proof yourself against buyer's remorse, investing in a solid mid-range CPU and GPU is the smartest play. As mentioned before, trying to game on a fossil like the HD 7790 (minimum spec) will result in fatal stuttering during firefights. Don't do it.

GPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
bld4me NEW
Radeon R9 290
Official Recommended
Arc A380
bld4me USED
Radeon HD 7790
Official Minimum

CPU Benchmarks

Official Minimum
Official Recommended
bld4me Choice
Ryzen 5 9600X
bld4me NEW
Ryzen 5 2600
Official Recommended
Ryzen 5 1600 (AF)
AF
FX-4350
Official Minimum

This is a comparison graph of the manufacturer's minimum required specs, recommended specs, and bld4me-recommended parts (new and used). Higher values indicate smoother performance. bld4me's recommended parts are selected based on independent research, balancing comfortable gameplay with cost-performance for the game title.

GPU Matrix

Even for casual grinds, a solid 60fps is the non-negotiable minimum for a playable experience. Realistically, you need a GPU that comfortably clears the official recommended specs. Since there are countless cards that fit the bill, use our 'Estimated FPS Database' in the next section to find the exact GPU that nails your budget and target framerate.

How to Read GPU Matrix

Read Vertically

Aligned on the same scale, simply follow the resolution column down to see performance gains.

Read Horizontally

Bars shorten and colors change as resolution increases, indicating upgrade thresholds.

Overall View

The color gradient from top-left to bottom-right illustrates generational limits and potential.

GPU720p1080p1440p4K
bld4me NEW
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
Official Recommended
Radeon R9 290
bld4me USED
Arc A380
Official Minimum
Radeon HD 7790
Note

The FPS values above are estimated based purely on the GPU's native performance without any upscaler. These are merely estimates and do not guarantee actual performance.

Estimated FPS Database

Apex Legends GPU Benchmark & FPS Database

Apex Legends

176 SKUS
GPU Share 720PHD 1080PFHD 1440PQHD 4KUHD
Grade S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"

The ultimate GPU. Delivers premium 4K gaming at max settings.

GeForce RTX 5090
GeForce RTX 4090
Radeon RX 9070 XT
Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Radeon RX 9070 GRE
Radeon RX 9070
GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
GeForce RTX 5080
Radeon RX 7900 XT
GeForce RTX 4080
GeForce RTX 5070
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
Radeon RX 6950 XT
GeForce RTX 3090 Ti
GeForce RTX 4090 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 7900 GRE
GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER
Radeon RX 6900 XT
GeForce RTX 3090
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB
GeForce RTX 4080 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6800 XT
Radeon RX 7800 XT
GeForce RTX 3080 12GB
GeForce RTX 3080 10GB
GeForce RTX 4070
Radeon RX 7900M
Radeon RX 7700 XT
Radeon RX 6800
Radeon RX 9060
GeForce RTX 5060
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB
Radeon RX 7800M
GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Radeon RX 6750 XT
GeForce RTX 3070
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6700 XT
Radeon RX 6850M XT
Arc B580 12GB
GeForce RTX 4070 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6800M
Arc A770 16GB
GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
GeForce RTX 5050
Radeon RX 6700 10GB
Radeon RX 7600 XT
Arc A770 8GB
GeForce RTX 2080
Radeon RX 7600
Radeon RX 7600M XT
Arc B570 10GB
GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 4060
GeForce RTX 4060 (Laptop)
Radeon RX 6650 XT
Arc A750
GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
Radeon RX 6600 XT
Radeon RX 6700M
GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Radeon RX 5700 XT
Radeon Pro VII
Radeon VII
Arc A770M
GeForce RTX 2080 (Laptop)
Arc A580
GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER
GeForce RTX 4050 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 2070
GeForce RTX 2070 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
GeForce RTX 3060 (Laptop)
Grade A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

A step-up GPU for chasing high refresh rates and stunning visuals.

GeForce RTX 2060 12GB
Radeon RX 7600S
Radeon RX 5700
Radeon RX 6600
Radeon RX 7600M
Radeon RX 5600 XT
Radeon RX 5700M
Radeon RX Vega 64 Liquid
Arc A730M
Radeon Pro Vega 64
Radeon RX 5600
Radeon RX Vega 64
GeForce GTX 1080
GeForce RTX 2060 6GB
GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
GeForce GTX 1080 (Laptop)
GeForce RTX 2060 (Laptop)
GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Radeon RX Vega 56
GeForce GTX Titan X
Radeon RX 5600M
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB
GeForce GTX 980 Ti
GeForce GTX 1070
GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER
Radeon R9 Fury X
GeForce GTX 1660 Ti (Laptop)
Radeon RX Vega 56M
Arc A570M
GeForce GTX 1660
GeForce GTX 1070 (Laptop)
Grade B
BALANCED"bld4me's recommendation. The smart, well-balanced choice"

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

Radeon R9 Nano
Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB
Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
Radeon RX 5500M
Radeon R9 390X
Radeon RX 590
Arc Graphics 140V (8 Xe2)
GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
GeForce GTX 780 Ti
GeForce GTX 980
Radeon R9 290X 4GB
Radeon R9 390
Radeon RX 580 4GB
Radeon RX 580 8GB
Radeon R9 290
Radeon RX 480 4GB
Radeon RX 480 8GB
Arc A380
GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop)
Radeon 890M (16CU)
Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Radeon RX 470 4GB
Radeon RX 470 8GB
Radeon RX 570 4GB
Radeon RX 570 8GB
GeForce GTX 1650
GeForce GTX 780
Radeon RX 580 (Mobile)
GeForce GTX 970
Grade C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"

Ensures standard playability, delivering 30 to just under 60 FPS at 1080p/Medium settings.

GeForce GTX 980M
Radeon RX 570 (Mobile)
Arc A370M
Arc Graphics (7 Xe-cores)
Radeon 780M (12CU)
Radeon 880M (12CU)
Radeon RX 5300
Radeon RX 5300M
GeForce GTX 770 2GB
GeForce GTX 770 4GB
GeForce GTX 960 2GB
GeForce GTX 960 4GB
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
GeForce GTX 970m
Radeon R9 290X 8GB
Radeon R9 380 4GB
Radeon R9 M395X
GeForce GTX 1050 3GB
GeForce GTX 760 2GB
GeForce GTX 760 4GB
Radeon 760M (8CU)
Radeon Pro Vega 20
Radeon R9 280X
GeForce GTX 950
Radeon HD 7950

Non-Recommended Models (Grade E)

Performance Insufficient / Risk of Crash
E
EXCLUDED"Not recommended. Time to upgrade"

GPU below official supported performance.

Radeon RX 560 2GB
label_below_requirements
Radeon RX 560 4GB
label_below_requirements
Iris Xe MAX Graphics
label_below_requirements
Radeon R9 380 2GB
label_below_requirements
GeForce GTX 1050 2GB
label_below_requirements

Ranking Criteria Explained

S
SUPREME"For those who refuse to compromise"

The ultimate GPU. Delivers premium 4K gaming at max settings.

A
ADVANCED"If you crave that next level of smoothness"

A step-up GPU for chasing high refresh rates and stunning visuals.

B
BALANCED"bld4me's recommendation. The smart, well-balanced choice"

The smart pick—perfect balance of power and efficiency.

C
COMPETENT"Play at 1080p/Medium"

Ensures standard playability, delivering 30 to just under 60 FPS at 1080p/Medium settings.

The Bottom Line

The Game's Verdict: Recommended Specs & Grade

Apex Legends has transcended the battle royale fad to cement itself as an absolute esports staple. It hits that perfect balance: an incredibly low barrier to entry for casuals, while demanding uncompromising, top-tier hardware from competitive sweats chasing the leaderboards. It truly is a game for everyone.

If you're willing to tank your graphics settings and framerate, it's shockingly lightweight—you can literally run this thing on a decade-old entry-level gaming laptop. If you just want to dip your toes into PC Apex, booting it up on whatever old potato or dirt-cheap used rig you have lying around is a totally valid way to start.

But the second you decide you actually want to win your 1v1s and crave that buttery-smooth high-refresh-rate experience, you're going to need a serious hardware bump. Pushing high frames means upgrading not just your GPU, but your CPU as well. Figuring out exactly what level of performance you expect from Apex is the non-negotiable first step in picking your parts.

Our official recommendation? Build a rig that can lock in a rock-solid 144fps in Apex. Hitting this baseline (which translates to a modern mid-range setup) acts as a massive safety net. If you ever want to pivot to heavier AAA titles, you'll already have the hardware horsepower to handle them with just a few settings tweaks.