Apex Legends, the popular battle royale game, has taken the gaming world by storm since its release in 2019. With its fast-paced action, strategic gameplay, and stunning visuals, it’s no wonder that gamers are eager to jump into the fray. However, with the ever-evolving landscape of PC hardware, many gamers are left wondering if their trusty old graphics cards can handle the demands of this visually stunning game. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of NVIDIA’s GTX 970 and explore whether it can run Apex Legends smoothly.
Understanding The GTX 970
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 is a high-end graphics card that was released in 2014. At the time of its release, it was one of the most powerful consumer-grade graphics cards available, offering exceptional performance and features like 4K resolution support, NVIDIA’s proprietary G-Sync technology, and support for DirectX 12. The GTX 970 was based on the Maxwell architecture, which provided a significant boost in performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessors.
Key Specifications Of The GTX 970
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| GPU Architecture | Maxwell |
| CUDA Cores | 1664 |
| Base Clock Speed | 1050 MHz |
| Boost Clock Speed | 1178 MHz |
| Memory | 4 GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | 224 GB/s |
Apex Legends System Requirements
Before we dive into the performance of the GTX 970, let’s take a look at the system requirements for Apex Legends. The game’s developer, Respawn Entertainment, recommends the following system specifications for a smooth gaming experience:
Minimum System Requirements
- AMD FX 4350 or Equivalent
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or Equivalent
- 6 GB RAM
- 22 GB Free Disk Space
- Windows 7 64-bit
Recommended System Requirements
- AMD FX 8350 or Equivalent
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or Equivalent
- 8 GB RAM
- 22 GB Free Disk Space
- Windows 10 64-bit
As you can see, the GTX 970 is listed as the recommended graphics card for Apex Legends. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it can run the game smoothly at high settings.
Performance Analysis
To determine whether the GTX 970 can run Apex Legends smoothly, we’ll need to look at some performance benchmarks. We’ll be using the game’s built-in benchmarking tool to test the performance of the GTX 970 at various settings.
1080p Performance
At 1080p (1920×1080), the GTX 970 is able to deliver smooth performance at medium to high settings. With the graphics settings set to medium, the GTX 970 is able to achieve an average frame rate of around 60 FPS. However, when we crank up the settings to high, the frame rate drops to around 40 FPS.
1440p Performance
At 1440p (2560×1440), the GTX 970 starts to struggle. With the graphics settings set to medium, the GTX 970 is able to achieve an average frame rate of around 40 FPS. However, when we crank up the settings to high, the frame rate drops to around 20 FPS.
4K Performance
At 4K (3840×2160), the GTX 970 is unable to deliver smooth performance, even at low settings. With the graphics settings set to low, the GTX 970 is able to achieve an average frame rate of around 20 FPS.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GTX 970 is able to run Apex Legends smoothly at medium to high settings at 1080p. However, at higher resolutions like 1440p and 4K, the GTX 970 starts to struggle. If you’re looking to play Apex Legends at high settings, you may want to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 580.
However, if you’re looking to play the game at medium settings, the GTX 970 is still a viable option. With some tweaks to the graphics settings, you can achieve smooth performance and enjoy the game’s fast-paced action and stunning visuals.
Upgrading Your Graphics Card
If you’re looking to upgrade your graphics card to play Apex Legends at high settings, there are several options available. Here are a few recommendations:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is a popular mid-range graphics card that offers exceptional performance and features like 8 GB GDDR5 memory and support for NVIDIA’s proprietary G-Sync technology.
AMD Radeon RX 580
The AMD Radeon RX 580 is a powerful mid-range graphics card that offers exceptional performance and features like 8 GB GDDR5 memory and support for AMD’s proprietary FreeSync technology.
Optimizing Your System For Apex Legends
If you’re not looking to upgrade your graphics card, there are still several ways to optimize your system for Apex Legends. Here are a few tips:
Update Your Drivers
Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date, as this can significantly improve performance.
Adjust Your Graphics Settings
Adjusting your graphics settings can help improve performance. Try reducing the resolution, turning off anti-aliasing, and reducing the graphics quality.
Close Unnecessary Programs
Closing unnecessary programs can help free up system resources and improve performance.
Consider Upgrading Your RAM
Upgrading your RAM can help improve performance, especially if you’re running multiple programs at the same time.
In conclusion, the GTX 970 is still a viable option for playing Apex Legends, but it may not be able to handle the game’s high settings at higher resolutions. By optimizing your system and adjusting your graphics settings, you can still achieve smooth performance and enjoy the game’s fast-paced action and stunning visuals.
Can GTX 970 Run Apex Legends?
The GTX 970 can run Apex Legends, but it may not be able to handle the game’s highest graphics settings. The game’s system requirements list a minimum of a GTX 970 or an AMD Radeon R9 390 for 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. However, the GTX 970 is an older graphics card, and it may struggle to maintain a smooth frame rate at higher resolutions or with more demanding graphics settings.
In order to run Apex Legends smoothly on a GTX 970, you may need to reduce the graphics settings or resolution. This can help to improve the frame rate and make the game more playable. However, if you want to play the game at its highest settings, you may need to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card.
What Are The System Requirements For Apex Legends?
The system requirements for Apex Legends vary depending on the resolution and frame rate you want to achieve. For 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, the minimum system requirements are a GTX 970 or an AMD Radeon R9 390, 8 GB of RAM, and a Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-4350 processor. For higher resolutions or frame rates, you will need more powerful hardware.
It’s worth noting that the system requirements for Apex Legends are subject to change, and the game may become more demanding over time. If you’re planning to play the game at high settings, it’s a good idea to check the system requirements regularly to make sure your hardware is still up to the task.
How To Optimize Apex Legends For GTX 970?
To optimize Apex Legends for a GTX 970, you can try reducing the graphics settings or resolution. This can help to improve the frame rate and make the game more playable. You can also try closing other resource-intensive programs while playing the game, as this can help to free up system resources and improve performance.
Another way to optimize Apex Legends for a GTX 970 is to update your graphics drivers to the latest version. This can help to improve performance and fix any bugs or issues that may be affecting the game. You can also try adjusting the game’s settings to find a balance between graphics quality and performance.
Can GTX 970 Run Apex Legends At 144 FPS?
The GTX 970 is not powerful enough to run Apex Legends at 144 FPS, even at lower resolutions. The game’s system requirements list a minimum of a GTX 1070 or an AMD Radeon RX 580 for 1080p resolution at 144 FPS. The GTX 970 is an older graphics card, and it may struggle to maintain a smooth frame rate at higher resolutions or with more demanding graphics settings.
If you want to play Apex Legends at 144 FPS, you will need to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card. The GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 580 are good options, but you may need to consider even more powerful hardware if you want to play the game at its highest settings.
Is GTX 970 Good Enough For Apex Legends?
The GTX 970 is a good graphics card for playing Apex Legends, but it may not be powerful enough to handle the game’s highest graphics settings. The game’s system requirements list a minimum of a GTX 970 or an AMD Radeon R9 390 for 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. However, the GTX 970 is an older graphics card, and it may struggle to maintain a smooth frame rate at higher resolutions or with more demanding graphics settings.
If you’re looking for a good graphics card for playing Apex Legends, the GTX 970 is a good option. However, if you want to play the game at its highest settings, you may need to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card.
How To Upgrade From GTX 970 To A Better Graphics Card?
Upgrading from a GTX 970 to a better graphics card can be a relatively straightforward process. First, you’ll need to choose a new graphics card that is compatible with your system. You can check the system requirements for Apex Legends to get an idea of what kind of graphics card you’ll need.
Once you’ve chosen a new graphics card, you’ll need to install it in your system. This typically involves removing the old graphics card and installing the new one in its place. You may also need to update your system’s BIOS and install new drivers for the graphics card.