The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Short answer: Apex Legends runs at 60fps on modest hardware, but a worthwhile new PC should match your monitor. For most players, choose a modern six-core CPU, 32GB of dual-channel DDR5, a 1TB–2TB NVMe SSD and an RTX 5060 Ti/5070- or Radeon RX 9060 XT/9070-class graphics card. Competitive 1080p/240Hz buyers should step up to a Ryzen 7 7800X3D/9800X3D-class processor and an RTX 5070-class GPU or faster.
This guide uses 2025-era classes where relevant, but it is written for buyers shopping in 2026. A discounted 2025 system can still be excellent; compare its current price, warranty and complete component list with newer RTX 5060/5070 and RX 9060/9070 alternatives.
Quick recommendations by monitor target
| Target | CPU class | GPU class | Memory and storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p, 60–120Hz | Ryzen 5 8400F/9500F or Core Ultra 5 equivalent | RTX 5060 or RX 7600 | 16GB minimum; 32GB preferred; 1TB NVMe | Casual play and general gaming |
| 1080p, 144–165Hz | Ryzen 5 7600/9600-class or better | RTX 5060 Ti/5070, RX 9060 XT or RX 7700 XT | 32GB DDR5; 1TB–2TB NVMe | Best value for most Apex players |
| 1080p, 240Hz | Ryzen 7 7800X3D/9800X3D-class | RTX 5070-class or better | 32GB DDR5-6000-class; 1TB–2TB NVMe | Competitive high-refresh play |
| 1440p, 165Hz | Modern Ryzen 5/7 or equivalent | RTX 5070 or RX 9070 | 32GB; 1TB–2TB NVMe | High-quality mainstream gaming |
| 1440p, 240Hz | Ryzen 7 7800X3D/9800X3D-class | RTX 5070 Ti/5080 or RX 9070 XT | 32GB; 2TB NVMe recommended | Enthusiast competitive setups |
These are sensible selection tiers, not guaranteed Apex frame rates. Exact performance changes with resolution, settings, map, game updates, drivers, background software and your frame cap.
What Apex Legends officially requires
EA lists 64-bit Windows 10, DirectX 12-compatible graphics hardware, a broadband internet connection and at least 75GB of free storage. Its current English requirements page specifies the following:
#1 Best Overall
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-6300 or AMD FX-4350 | Intel Core i5-3570K or equivalent Ryzen 5 |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 950 or Radeon HD 7790 | GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon R9 290 |
| Memory | 6GB | 8GB |
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 | |
| Storage | At least 75GB free | |
See EA’s official Apex Legends system requirements. Those specifications are a floor for roughly smooth 60fps play, not a buying target for 144Hz or 240Hz monitors. They also do not account for streaming, recording, modern background applications, future updates or other current games.
Why high-refresh Apex needs more than the recommended specification
A 60fps average can hide severe dips and uneven frame times during a fight. At 1080p with competitive settings, once the graphics card is adequate, Apex often becomes more sensitive to CPU speed, memory configuration and frame-time consistency. At 1440p or high settings, the GPU carries more of the workload. A fast CPU cannot rescue an underpowered GPU at 1440p, and an expensive GPU paired with an old CPU may fail to feed a 144Hz or 240Hz display.
- 60–120Hz: prioritize a balanced, affordable system.
- 144–165Hz: buy a modern six-core CPU, 32GB RAM and a midrange GPU.
- 240Hz: spend more on CPU quality and cooling as well as the graphics card.
- 360Hz: treat it as a specialist competitive target; verify performance with your own settings rather than assuming a product claim.
Best budget Apex PC
For entry-level 1080p, look for a modern six-core processor, RTX 5060, RTX 5060 Ti or RX 7600-class graphics, 16GB minimum (32GB preferred), a 1TB NVMe SSD and a reputable 600W–650W power supply. AMD describes the RX 7600 as a 1080p-focused card in its product information; that positioning makes it a useful reference, not independent Apex testing.
An iBUYPOWER listing observed around August 2026 paired a Ryzen 5 9500F, RTX 5060 8GB, 16GB DDR5 and 1TB NVMe for approximately $1,429, with a promotional discount shown at the time. Price and availability are volatile; inspect whether the memory is one 16GB module or two 8GB modules before buying. A slightly costlier dual-channel 32GB system is usually the better ownership choice.
Best-value PC for 144Hz or 165Hz
The mainstream sweet spot is a Ryzen 5 7600/9600-class processor (or comparable current Intel chip), RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, RTX 5070, RX 9060 XT 16GB or RX 7700 XT-class graphics, 32GB DDR5, a 1TB–2TB NVMe drive, a quality B650/B850-class motherboard and a reputable 650W–750W PSU.
Rank #2
- Legend perfected: Modern design with a matte basalt black finish in an optimized chassis with customizable AlienFX lighting zones, including the striking stadium lighting.
- Game changing graphics: Step into the future of gaming and creation with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics, powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.
- Marathon gaming unlocked: This high-performance technology ensures clean energy is consistently available, unleashing the top-level power of Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor as you game, livestream, and multi-task for hours on end.
- Total command: Alienware Command Center software allows you to create and edit AlienFX lighting across the ecosystem, choose and monitor your performance mode across distinct power states, and create custom gaming profiles for your whole library.
- Dell Services: 1 Year Onsite Service provides support when and where you need it. Dell will come to your home, office, or location of choice, if an issue covered by Limited Hardware Warranty cannot be resolved remotely.
This tier gives most players useful high-refresh headroom without paying for flagship hardware that Apex does not require. Choose the RTX 5070 or RX 9070 class if you also play demanding games at 1440p.
Best PC for competitive 240Hz play
Use a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or 9800X3D-class gaming CPU, 32GB of matched DDR5-6000-class memory, a well-cooled case and at least an RTX 5070-class GPU for 1080p high-refresh play. For 1440p/240Hz, consider an RTX 5070 Ti/5080 or RX 9070 XT-class card and an 850W-class quality PSU where the GPU requires it.
Two iBUYPOWER examples observed around August 2026 paired a Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 32GB DDR5 and 2TB NVMe with an RTX 5070 for about $2,349, or an RX 9070 XT for about $2,299. These are dated commercial examples, not permanent prices or benchmark results.
When a high-end PC is justified
A Ryzen 7 9800X3D-class CPU, RTX 5070 Ti/5080 or RX 9070 XT, 32GB RAM, 2TB-plus NVMe storage and robust cooling suit enthusiasts, streamers, multi-game libraries and 1440p high-refresh displays. They are not necessary merely to run Apex at 1080p. Spend this much only if you will use the additional headroom elsewhere.
Prebuilt versus DIY
Prebuilt advantages
- Ready to use with one vendor warranty and support channel.
- No assembly, BIOS setup or initial troubleshooting.
- Promotions can make a complete system competitive with parts pricing.
- Retailers may offer simpler returns or local pickup.
Prebuilt risks
- Unspecified or poor-quality power supplies.
- Single-stick RAM, weak coolers, restricted airflow or small SSDs.
- Proprietary motherboards, connectors or cases that limit upgrades.
- An expensive CPU paired with an entry-level GPU.
- Vendor FPS widgets based on undisclosed settings.
CyberPowerPC publishes component configurations and “Game FPS” figures on its gaming PC listings; treat those numbers as vendor estimates, not independently verified Apex benchmarks. iBUYPOWER configurations are listed at its AMD desktop page. Best Buy’s category at gaming desktops can be useful for retail returns, but marketplace specifications require the same scrutiny.
Rank #3
- Processor specifications: Adopting AMD Ryzen 5 5600 processor, with a basic clock speed of 3.5GHz and a turbo frequency of 4.4GHz, it can achieve fast response computing performance
- Graphics Card: Features GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with 6GB dedicated video memory for gaming and multimedia applications
- Memory configuration: Equipped with 32GB DDR4 RAM (16GB * 2), providing sufficient memory capacity for multitasking and demanding applications
- Gaming Performance: Designed to handle modern gaming titles and graphics-intensive tasks with smooth frame rates and visual quality
- Desktop System: Complete gaming desktop computer system ready for setup and use out of the box
DIY advantages and costs
Building lets you choose the PSU, cooler, motherboard, memory and SSD, and normally makes future upgrades easier. The trade-off is assembly time, separate warranties and responsibility for BIOS, memory-training, Windows and driver problems. Before ordering, verify cooler clearance, GPU length, motherboard BIOS support, memory compatibility and power connectors.
Component choices that matter
CPU
Favor modern single-thread performance and at least six cores for a new system. X3D processors are especially relevant to high-refresh gaming, but a Ryzen 9 is not automatically better for Apex than a Ryzen 7 X3D chip. AM5 offers a practical upgrade path when platform longevity matters.
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Match the card to resolution and refresh rate rather than buying by model prestige. VRAM matters for newer games and higher settings, but Apex alone is not a reason to pay for a 24GB flagship card. Compare total system price and features; Nvidia offers a familiar driver, encoder and CUDA ecosystem, while AMD often competes strongly on raster performance and memory capacity.
Memory
Sixteen gigabytes is an entry point; 32GB in two matched modules is the preferred new-build specification. Avoid a performance-oriented PC with a single 16GB stick, and check the advertised speed and motherboard support.
Storage
Install Apex on an NVMe SSD. One terabyte is the sensible minimum and 2TB is better for a multi-game library. EA’s 75GB requirement covers the game, not Windows, updates, shader caches or other titles, so a 500GB drive leaves little usable space.
Rank #4
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Power supply, cooling and case
Choose a named, reputable PSU with adequate continuous wattage and the correct GPU connector. Higher wattage does not make an unknown unit safe. Confirm front or side intake and rear/top exhaust, and ensure the cooler and graphics card fit. Thermal throttling in compact or poorly ventilated systems can reduce sustained boost clocks and increase noise.
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Configure Apex and verify the system
EA’s current Apex settings guidance distinguishes general video options from advanced settings for competitive players. Use it for the current menu names, then:
- Update Windows and your graphics driver.
- Set the monitor’s advertised refresh rate in Windows and use an appropriate cable and port.
- Start with competitive low settings; raise texture quality if performance and VRAM allow.
- Disable unnecessary overlays while troubleshooting. V-Sync can reduce tearing, but competitive players commonly leave it off to minimize latency.
- Use the game’s current in-menu or launcher frame-cap method and recheck it after updates; do not assume an old command remains universal.
- Check both firing-range behavior and real matches. Combat and end-game scenes are more demanding than an empty range.
- Watch frame-time graphs, not only the headline FPS number.
Prebuilt inspection checklist
- Two-stick 32GB memory configuration.
- NVMe SSD with at least 1TB capacity.
- Exact graphics-card model and power connector listed.
- Named PSU brand/model and sufficient wattage.
- Adequate CPU cooler and case airflow.
- Standard AM5 or mainstream Intel motherboard and connectors.
- Clear warranty, return policy and upgrade access.
- No reliance on unexplained FPS claims.
2025 hardware versus 2026 hardware
A discounted 2025 desktop with an RTX 4060, RTX 4070-class GPU, Ryzen 7 7800X3D or equivalent can remain a strong Apex machine. Do not pay its original launch price by habit. Compare the current street price, warranty and complete parts list with RTX 5060/5070 and RX 9060/9070-class systems available now. “Future-proof” should mean more upgrade headroom, not a guaranteed number of years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apex Legends run on an office PC?
It may run if the system meets EA’s minimum requirements, but integrated graphics, 6GB RAM or an old dual-core processor are poor choices for consistent modern play. Check the exact hardware rather than the case or brand name.
Is an RTX 4060 or RTX 5060 enough?
Both are sensible 1080p tiers when paired with a modern CPU and dual-channel RAM. Choose a stronger card for 1440p high settings or additional demanding games.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Best Value
- CPU: AMD Ryzen7 5700X (up to 4.6GHz) 8-Core 16-Thread to easily handle multi-line tasks
- Main board: MSI B550M-A PRO motherboard provides reliable performance and stability
- GPU: Geforce RTX 5060 8GB GDDR7 Graphics Cards (Brand may vary) Support DLSS 4 multi frame generation, ray tracing, and Reflex 2 delay optimization
- RAM: 32GB DDR4 3200MHz (16GB*2) SSD: 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe
- Power supply: 650W (80plus bronze) certified for energy efficiency and stable performance
Do I need a Ryzen 7 X3D processor?
No. It is most useful for high-refresh competitive play. A modern Ryzen 5-class CPU is a better value for 60–165Hz systems.
Is 16GB RAM enough?
It is a practical minimum, but 32GB in two modules is the better new-purchase target for Apex, background applications and longer-term use.
Can a PC maintain 240fps?
A Ryzen 7 X3D-class system with a suitable RTX 5070-class-or-faster GPU is a reasonable tier, but no fixed frame rate is guaranteed without testing your settings, maps, drivers and frame cap.
Why does high FPS still feel stuttery?
Check frame-time consistency, single-channel memory, thermal throttling, background overlays, driver issues and an overly aggressive frame cap. Network ping or packet loss can feel similar but will not be fixed by a faster GPU.
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Is a gaming laptop with the same GPU name equivalent to a desktop?
Not necessarily. Laptop GPUs can use different power limits and cooling, so compare the laptop’s tested performance and wattage rather than assuming desktop equivalence.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
