How to improve FPS in Apex Legends (PC)
Apex Legends runs on a modified version of Valve's Source engine, giving it a very optimizable base. With the right settings, mid-range hardware can reach stable 144 FPS. The game supports DLSS and FSR natively. The main performance challenge occurs during hot-drops, where high player density creates a CPU bottleneck. This guide covers the settings for maximum competitive FPS.
This is what you'd gain with a NVIDIA RTX 3060
Calculations based on our FPS model combined with the % gain of each setting (measured in public benchmarks). Calculate your exact FPS with your own hardware →
1. Quick wins (no visual loss)
Start here. Each one adds a little, but together they give +17% free FPS.
V-Sync
V-Sync adds unacceptable latency in a competitive battle royale. Always off. G-Sync/FreeSync if the monitor supports it.
Motion Blur
Motion Blur in Apex makes tracking moving targets harder. Off is the competitive standard.
Ambient Occlusion Quality
Ambient Occlusion in Apex has real cost with no clear competitive benefit. Disabled consistently saves GPU.
FOV
FOV doesn't directly affect FPS in Apex but a higher FOV can reveal more enemies at the screen edges. Adjust to personal preference.
2. Medium impact settings
Here's where most of the FPS is. Minor visual impact, major performance impact.
Model Detail
Model Detail controls the complexity of character, weapon, and world object models. It's one of the highest-impact settings in Apex. Low is the competitive standard.
Effects Detail
Combat particle effects (gunfire, explosions, abilities) are very heavy in Apex. Low dramatically cuts CPU/GPU load during the most intense firefights.
Shadow Detail
Shadows at Low significantly reduce GPU load. In competitive play, enemy visibility matters more than shadow quality.
Texture Streaming Budget
Limiting VRAM budget for textures at Medium keeps textures reasonable without saturating GPU memory.
Adaptive Supersampling
Apex's own Adaptive Supersampling can be expensive at high resolutions. For better quality/performance ratio, use the game's native DLSS or FSR instead.
Ragdolls
Ragdolls at High have real CPU cost in areas with many simultaneous deaths. Medium gives a good balance.
3. Upscaling (DLSS / FSR / XeSS)
The biggest gain in the game. Compatible with almost any modern GPU.
DLSS Quality (NVIDIA RTX)
+28% FPSApex supports native DLSS. Quality offers excellent image with significant FPS gain. For competitive play use Balanced or Performance if you need more frames.
FSR Quality (AMD y NVIDIA no-RTX)
+20% FPSFSR Quality in Apex is well-implemented. Available for all GPUs. Image quality in Quality mode is good at 1080p.
DLSS Frame Generation (RTX 40-series)
+55% FPSOnly if you already have 60+ base FPS. Frame Generation doubles perceived FPS but adds latency — acceptable if you already play fluidly.
4. Tips by GPU
NVIDIA
- •DLSS Quality + NVIDIA Reflex 'On + Boost' is the optimal RTX combination in Apex: more FPS and lower latency simultaneously.
- •For RTX 40-series: Frame Generation + DLSS Balanced gives very high FPS, but only if you already have 60+ base FPS without FG.
- •Enable 'Resizable BAR' in BIOS if your platform supports it — gives 2-4% in Apex.
AMD
- •FSR Quality is the best upscaling option for AMD in Apex — well-implemented with good quality at 1080p.
- •Anti-Lag+ (RDNA 3) available — enable it in Radeon Adrenalin to reduce competitive input lag.
- •SAM gives minor benefit in Apex (~2-3%) but enable it if compatible with your platform.
Sistema
- •The initial hot-drop (first minute of the match) always has lower FPS than the rest — it's CPU-bound due to player density. Don't tune settings based on that moment.
- •High Performance power plan in Windows: clear benefit in Apex for maintaining stable FPS.
- •16 GB of RAM is the minimum recommended for Apex without hot-drop stuttering.
5. Known game issues
FPS drops during the initial hot-drop
In the first 60-90 seconds of each match, with all players landing and fighting together, significant CPU bottleneck occurs. It's a game design constraint — not a system bug.
Stuttering on respawn and Ash/Wraith portal effects
The teleportation abilities and portals of certain legends can generate micro-stutters during activation. Known to Respawn, no complete fix.
Estado: Partially improved in Season 20+
Memory leak in long sessions (PC)
Apex can experience FPS degradation in sessions of 3+ hours due to memory buildup. Closing and reopening the game every few hours resolves the issue.
6. Frequently asked questions
How many FPS does an RTX 3060 get in Apex Legends?▾
What are the standard competitive settings?▾
DLSS or FSR in Apex?▾
Why do my FPS drop during drops?▾
Want to know exactly how many FPS YOUR PC will get?
Enter your GPU and CPU in our calculator and measure the real impact of each setting.
Calculations based on consensus of technical sources and our own FPS model. More about our methodology →