The world of gaming is constantly evolving, with new titles and updates being released regularly. One of the most popular battle royale games, Apex Legends, has taken the gaming community by storm. However, with the game’s demanding system requirements, many gamers are left wondering if their hardware can handle the game. In this article, we will delve into the specifics of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card and determine if it can run Apex Legends smoothly.
Introduction to GTX 960M and Apex Legends
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is a mid-range graphics card designed for laptops. Released in 2015, it was a popular choice for gamers who wanted a balance between performance and power efficiency. The GTX 960M is based on the Maxwell architecture and features 640 CUDA cores, 40 texture units, and 16 ROPs. It has a base clock speed of 1096 MHz and a boost clock speed of up to 1200 MHz.
Apex Legends, on the other hand, is a free-to-play battle royale game developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released in 2019 and has since become one of the most popular games in the world. Apex Legends is known for its fast-paced action, strategic gameplay, and stunning visuals.
System Requirements for Apex Legends
To determine if the GTX 960M can run Apex Legends, we need to look at the game’s system requirements. According to the official Apex Legends website, the minimum system requirements for the game are:
- Operating System: 64-bit Windows 7
- Processor: Intel Core i3-6300 or AMD FX-4350
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 4850
- Storage: 20 GB available space
The recommended system requirements are:
- Operating System: 64-bit Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 390
- Storage: 20 GB available space
As we can see, the minimum system requirements for Apex Legends are relatively modest, but the recommended requirements are more demanding.
Graphics Card Comparison
The GTX 960M is a more powerful graphics card than the minimum required GTX 460, but it falls short of the recommended GTX 970. To give you a better idea, here is a comparison of the GTX 960M and the GTX 970:
- GTX 960M: 640 CUDA cores, 40 texture units, 16 ROPs, 1096 MHz base clock
- GTX 970: 1664 CUDA cores, 104 texture units, 64 ROPs, 1050 MHz base clock
As we can see, the GTX 970 has more than twice the number of CUDA cores, texture units, and ROPs than the GTX 960M. This means that the GTX 970 is significantly more powerful than the GTX 960M.
Performance of GTX 960M in Apex Legends
So, can the GTX 960M run Apex Legends? The answer is yes, but with some compromises. The GTX 960M can handle the game’s graphics, but it may not be able to run it at high settings.
In terms of frame rates, the GTX 960M can deliver around 30-40 FPS at medium settings, which is playable but not ideal. However, if you lower the settings to low or ultra-low, you can expect frame rates of around 50-60 FPS, which is more acceptable.
It’s worth noting that the performance of the GTX 960M in Apex Legends will also depend on the laptop’s processor, memory, and storage. A faster processor and more memory can help improve performance, while a slower processor and less memory can hinder it.
Optimizing Performance
If you want to play Apex Legends on a laptop with a GTX 960M, there are some things you can do to optimize performance:
- Lower the graphics settings: This is the most obvious way to improve performance. Lowering the graphics settings can help reduce the load on the graphics card and improve frame rates.
- Update your drivers: Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date, as this can help improve performance and fix any bugs.
- Close unnecessary programs: Closing unnecessary programs can help free up memory and improve performance.
- Use a faster storage drive: If you’re using a traditional hard drive, consider upgrading to a faster storage drive like an SSD. This can help improve loading times and overall performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the GTX 960M can run Apex Legends, but it may not be able to handle the game’s high graphics settings. If you’re willing to compromise on graphics quality, you can still enjoy a playable experience. However, if you want to play the game at high settings, you may need to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card.
It’s also worth noting that the GTX 960M is an older graphics card, and it may not be supported by future updates to Apex Legends. As the game continues to evolve, the system requirements may become more demanding, which could leave the GTX 960M behind.
Overall, the GTX 960M is still a capable graphics card, but it’s not ideal for playing demanding games like Apex Legends. If you’re in the market for a new laptop or graphics card, it’s worth considering more powerful options that can handle the latest games at high settings.
In terms of specific settings, here is a rough guide to what you can expect from the GTX 960M in Apex Legends:
| Settings | Frame Rate |
|---|---|
| Low | 50-60 FPS |
| Medium | 30-40 FPS |
| High | 20-30 FPS |
| Ultra | 10-20 FPS |
Keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and the actual frame rates you experience will depend on your specific hardware and settings.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the GTX 960M can run Apex Legends, but it’s not the ideal graphics card for the game. If you’re willing to compromise on graphics quality, you can still enjoy a playable experience. However, if you want to play the game at high settings, you may need to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card.
It’s also worth noting that the GTX 960M is an older graphics card, and it may not be supported by future updates to Apex Legends. As the game continues to evolve, the system requirements may become more demanding, which could leave the GTX 960M behind.
Overall, the GTX 960M is still a capable graphics card, but it’s not ideal for playing demanding games like Apex Legends. If you’re in the market for a new laptop or graphics card, it’s worth considering more powerful options that can handle the latest games at high settings.
What are the system requirements for Apex Legends?
The system requirements for Apex Legends are relatively high, which can make it challenging for some laptops to run the game smoothly. The minimum system requirements include an Intel Core i3-6300 or AMD FX-4350 processor, 6 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 graphics card. However, for a more seamless gaming experience, the recommended system requirements are an Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-6300 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290 graphics card.
In the context of the GTX 960M, it’s essential to note that this graphics card is below the minimum recommended requirements for Apex Legends. The GTX 960M is a mid-range graphics card from 2015, and while it can handle less demanding games, it may struggle to run Apex Legends at high settings. To run the game, you may need to lower the graphics settings, reduce the resolution, or use other optimization techniques to improve performance. However, even with these adjustments, the gaming experience may not be optimal, and you may encounter lag, stuttering, or other performance issues.
Can the GTX 960M run Apex Legends at 1080p resolution?
Running Apex Legends at 1080p resolution with the GTX 960M may be possible, but it will likely require significant compromises on the graphics settings. You may need to reduce the texture quality, turn off anti-aliasing, and lower the shadow quality to achieve a relatively smooth gaming experience. Even with these adjustments, the frame rate may not be consistent, and you may encounter dips in performance during intense gameplay moments. To give you a better idea, some users have reported that the GTX 960M can run Apex Legends at 1080p resolution with low to medium graphics settings, achieving around 30-40 frames per second.
However, it’s crucial to note that the GTX 960M is not designed to handle demanding games like Apex Legends at high resolutions. The graphics card’s performance will be bottlenecked by its limited VRAM and processing power, which can lead to a range of issues, including texture pop-in, stuttering, and lag. If you’re looking to play Apex Legends at 1080p resolution, you may want to consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card, such as the GTX 1060 or GTX 1660 Ti, which can provide a more seamless gaming experience.
How can I optimize Apex Legends for the GTX 960M?
To optimize Apex Legends for the GTX 960M, you can try several techniques to improve performance. First, reduce the graphics settings to the lowest possible level, including texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing. You can also try reducing the resolution to 900p or 720p, which can help improve frame rates. Additionally, consider turning off unnecessary features like motion blur, depth of field, and ambient occlusion, which can consume system resources. Another approach is to use the NVIDIA Control Panel to adjust the graphics settings and optimize the game for the GTX 960M.
By applying these optimizations, you may be able to achieve a more stable frame rate and reduce the likelihood of performance issues. However, keep in mind that the GTX 960M is not designed to handle demanding games like Apex Legends, and even with optimizations, the gaming experience may not be optimal. You may still encounter lag, stuttering, or other performance issues, especially during intense gameplay moments. To get the most out of the game, consider upgrading to a more powerful graphics card or exploring other gaming options that are better suited to the GTX 960M’s capabilities.
What are the alternatives to the GTX 960M for playing Apex Legends?
If you’re looking to play Apex Legends smoothly, there are several alternatives to the GTX 960M that you can consider. One option is to upgrade to a more powerful graphics card, such as the GTX 1060, GTX 1660 Ti, or RTX 2060, which can provide a more seamless gaming experience. These graphics cards offer improved performance, higher frame rates, and better support for demanding games like Apex Legends. Another option is to consider a gaming laptop with a more powerful graphics card, such as the GTX 1070 or RTX 2070, which can provide a more optimal gaming experience.
When selecting an alternative graphics card, consider factors like performance, power consumption, and compatibility with your laptop or desktop system. You should also ensure that the new graphics card is compatible with your system’s hardware and software configuration. Additionally, consider the cost and availability of the graphics card, as well as any potential upgrades or modifications that may be required to support the new hardware. By choosing a more powerful graphics card, you can enjoy a more immersive and engaging gaming experience with Apex Legends and other demanding games.
Can I play Apex Legends with the GTX 960M at low graphics settings?
Yes, it is possible to play Apex Legends with the GTX 960M at low graphics settings, but the gaming experience may not be optimal. You can try reducing the graphics settings to the lowest possible level, including texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing, to achieve a relatively smooth frame rate. However, even with low graphics settings, the GTX 960M may struggle to maintain a consistent frame rate, and you may encounter performance issues, such as lag, stuttering, or texture pop-in.
To play Apex Legends at low graphics settings, you can try adjusting the game’s settings to the following: resolution (720p or 900p), texture quality (low), shadow quality (low), anti-aliasing (off), and motion blur (off). You can also try reducing the field of view, turning off ambient occlusion, and disabling other graphics features that consume system resources. By applying these settings, you may be able to achieve a more stable frame rate and reduce the likelihood of performance issues. However, keep in mind that the gaming experience may not be as immersive or engaging as playing with higher graphics settings.
How does the GTX 960M compare to other graphics cards for playing Apex Legends?
The GTX 960M is a mid-range graphics card from 2015, and it compares unfavorably to more modern graphics cards when it comes to playing Apex Legends. In terms of performance, the GTX 960M is significantly slower than more powerful graphics cards like the GTX 1060, GTX 1660 Ti, or RTX 2060, which can provide a more seamless gaming experience. The GTX 960M’s limited VRAM and processing power make it less suitable for demanding games like Apex Legends, which require more powerful hardware to run smoothly.
In comparison to other graphics cards, the GTX 960M is roughly equivalent to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 or AMD Radeon HD 7870, which are also older graphics cards. However, the GTX 960M is still a relatively weak graphics card compared to more modern options, and it may struggle to keep up with the demands of Apex Legends. If you’re looking to play Apex Legends smoothly, it’s recommended to consider a more powerful graphics card, such as the GTX 1060 or GTX 1660 Ti, which can provide a more optimal gaming experience. Alternatively, you can explore other gaming options that are better suited to the GTX 960M’s capabilities.