Best Apex Legends Settings for Low-End PCs (2025 Update)

If you're playing Apex Legends on a low-end PC in 2025, you're not alone. With the game’s ever-evolving graphics and updates, performance can suffer on older hardware. But here’s the good news: with the right settings and tweaks, you can still enjoy smooth, competitive gameplay.

This guide walks you through optimal in-game settings, Windows tweaks, and hardware tips to boost FPS and minimize lag even on lower end budget systems.

Why Apex Legends Struggles on Low-End PCs

While Apex Legends runs on a modified version of Valve’s Source engine, the game pushes limits with:

• Real-time lighting and shadows
  
  
• Detailed maps and character models
  
  
• Frequent content and seasonal updates
  
  
• CPU-intensive physics and ragdoll systems
  
  

Even mid-range systems can experience frame drops, especially during intense fights or after updates. Let’s fix that.

Minimum & Recommended Specs (2025)

Official Minimum Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
  
  
• CPU: Intel Core i3-6300 or AMD FX-4350
  
  
• GPU: NVIDIA GT 640 / Radeon HD 7730
  
  
• RAM: 6 GB
  
  

Recommended for Low-End Optimization

• CPU: Intel i5-4th Gen / Ryzen 3 1200+
  
  
• GPU: GTX 1050 / RX 560 or better
  
  
• RAM: 8 GB DDR4
  
  
• Drive: SSD strongly recommended
  
  

Best In-Game Settings for FPS Boost

Go to Settings > Video and apply the following:

Launch Options for Extra FPS

Add these to Steam launch options:

+fps_max 0 -novid -fullscreen +cl_showfps 1

These remove intro videos, unlock your FPS cap, and display your frame rate in-game.

Advanced Config Tweaks

1. Navigate to:
   C:\Users\YourName\Saved Games\Respawn\Apex\local
   
   
2. Open videoconfig.txt in Notepad.
   
   
3. Manually tweak lines like setting.cl_ragdoll_self_collision and force lower texture sizes for better performance.
   
   

Windows Optimization Tips

• ✅ Update NVIDIA / AMD GPU drivers
  
  
• ✅ Turn on Game Mode (Windows Settings)
  
  
• ✅ Set Apex Legends to High Priority in Task Manager
  
  
• ✅ Disable background apps (Chrome, Discord, Spotify)
  
  
• ✅ Disable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome & Discord
  
  
• ✅ Use MSI Afterburner to monitor CPU/GPU temps
  
  
• ✅ Switch to High Performance power plan
  
  

Best Settings by GPU Tier

Intel UHD 630 / HD Graphics 620

• Resolution: 720p
  
  
• All settings: Lowest
  
  
• Expected FPS: ~30–35
  
  

GTX 750 Ti / GTX 1050 / RX 560

• Resolution: 1080p
  
  
• Settings: Mostly Low / Medium
  
  
• Expected FPS: ~60–80
  
  

Vega 8 / Radeon APU

• Resolution: 900p
  
  
• Settings: Low
  
  
• Expected FPS: ~50–60
  
  

Performance Benchmarks

Cheap Hardware Upgrades

If you’re looking to stretch your system’s life another year:

• SSD: Huge boost to load times and system responsiveness
  
  
• GPU: Used GTX 1650 or RX 6400 = great value
  
  
• RAM: Upgrading from 8GB to 16GB makes multitasking much smoother
  
  

Fixing Performance After Updates

Sometimes updates cause new performance issues. Here's what to do:

• Recheck video settings (they may reset)
  
  
• Verify game files in Steam
  
  
• Clear cache in Origin or EA App
  
  
• Reinstall or update GPU drivers
  
  
• Disable overlays (Steam, Discord, NVIDIA)
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I boost FPS on a laptop?
Lower resolution to 720p, use the lowest settings, disable background apps, and keep your laptop plugged in to avoid power-saving mode.

Q: What’s the best FPS cap?
Use +fps_max 0 to unlock it, then cap it externally if you’re getting screen tearing using NVIDIA Control Panel or Radeon Software.

Q: Can I play Apex Legends without a GPU?
Yes, with integrated graphics like Vega 8 or UHD 630. Set everything to the lowest and expect ~30 FPS at 720p.

Conclusion

You don’t need a monster rig to enjoy Apex Legends. With the right tweaks and a bit of patience, even low-end PCs can run the game smoothly enough to climb the ranks and snag wins.

Tweak, test, and optimize—and revisit this guide after each major update for new performance tips.

Need help in increasing FPS further in Apex Legends? Check out our other article here.