1.Update Graphics Drivers & System Software

Ensure your NVIDIA drivers and Windows are up-to-date for the latest performance enhancements and bug fixes. Outdated drivers are a common cause of performance issues and instability.

  • Update NVIDIA Drivers High impact

    Download and install the latest Game Ready Driver from the official NVIDIA website. Perform a clean installation to avoid conflicts.

  • Update Windows OS Medium impact

    Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all pending updates. This ensures system stability and compatibility.

  • Disable GeForce Experience Overlay Medium impact

    If you use GeForce Experience, disable the in-game overlay (Alt+Z) as it can consume resources and add input lag. Consider uninstalling it if you don't use its features.

2.Optimize In-Game Video Settings

Adjusting Apex Legends' in-game video settings is critical for balancing visual quality and performance on your GTX 1660. Prioritize competitive advantages like visibility and smooth frame rates.

  • Set Display Mode to Full Screen High impact

    Always play in Full Screen mode for the lowest input latency and best performance. Borderless Windowed adds overhead.

  • Match Resolution to Monitor High impact

    Use your monitor's native resolution (e.g., 1920x1080). Scaling down can reduce clarity, while scaling up is too demanding for a GTX 1660.

  • Disable V-Sync High impact

    V-Sync introduces input lag. Disable it in-game and in NVIDIA Control Panel. Use an adaptive sync monitor (G-Sync) if available, or cap FPS slightly below your refresh rate.

  • Adjust Field of View (FOV) Medium impact

    While higher FOV gives a wider view, it also renders more on screen, impacting FPS. Experiment to find a balance between 90-110 that feels comfortable and performs well.

  • Set Adaptive Supersampling to 'Disabled' High impact

    This setting dynamically adjusts resolution. For competitive play, consistent performance is key. Disable it for stable FPS.

3.Configure NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

Fine-tuning your NVIDIA Control Panel settings can provide a significant boost to Apex Legends' performance and responsiveness, especially for a GTX 1660.

  • Set Power Management Mode to 'Prefer maximum performance' High impact

    In 'Manage 3D settings' > 'Power management mode', select 'Prefer maximum performance' to ensure your GPU always runs at its highest clock speeds.

  • Enable 'Low Latency Mode' to 'Ultra' High impact

    This setting reduces input lag by submitting frames just-in-time for the GPU to render. It's highly beneficial for competitive shooters.

  • Set Texture Filtering - Quality to 'High Performance' Medium impact

    Under 'Texture filtering - Quality', choose 'High Performance' to prioritize FPS over minor texture detail improvements.

  • Disable Shader Cache Low impact

    While usually beneficial, some users report stutters with Shader Cache enabled in Apex. Test with it off to see if it improves frame times.

  • Set Max Frame Rate Medium impact

    Cap your FPS slightly below your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., 141 FPS for a 144Hz monitor) if you don't have G-Sync to reduce tearing and input lag.

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4.Optimize Windows for Gaming

Windows has several features that can consume resources or introduce latency. Disabling or adjusting these can free up valuable performance for Apex Legends.

  • Enable Game Mode Medium impact

    Go to Windows Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and ensure it's turned 'On'. This optimizes your PC for gaming.

  • Disable Background Apps Medium impact

    Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off apps you don't need running in the background while gaming.

  • Adjust Power Plan to 'High Performance' Medium impact

    Search for 'Power & sleep settings' > 'Additional power settings' and select 'High performance'. This prevents CPU throttling.

  • Disable Xbox Game Bar Low impact

    Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it 'Off'. This overlay can cause performance issues and input lag.

5.Implement Apex Legends Launch Options

Using specific launch options in Steam or Origin/EA App can force certain game behaviors that improve performance and responsiveness.

  • Add '-novid' Low impact

    This skips the intro video, getting you into the game faster.

  • Add '+fps_max 0' or custom cap Medium impact

    Using '+fps_max 0' removes the in-game FPS cap. Alternatively, use '+fps_max [your_monitor_refresh_rate - 3]' for a consistent cap.

  • Add '-fullscreen' Low impact

    Forces the game into true fullscreen mode, overriding potential windowed defaults.

  • Add '-forcenovsync' Low impact

    Ensures V-Sync is disabled, complementing the in-game and NVIDIA Control Panel settings.

Recommended Apex Legends settings

Setting Recommended value Why it matters
Texture Streaming Budget 2GB (Medium) The GTX 1660 has 6GB VRAM. Setting this to 2GB provides good texture quality without exceeding VRAM capacity, preventing stutters. Going higher can cause VRAM overloads.
Adaptive Supersampling Disabled This setting dynamically adjusts resolution to maintain FPS, but can lead to inconsistent visuals and input lag. For competitive play, disable it for stable performance.
Model Detail Low Reduces the complexity of character and object models. On a GTX 1660, 'Low' offers a significant FPS boost with minimal competitive disadvantage.
Impact Marks Disabled Disabling impact marks (bullet holes, etc.) reduces visual clutter and saves GPU resources, especially during intense firefights.
Ragdolls Low Reduces the physics complexity of downed opponents. Lowering this can free up CPU resources during chaotic moments.
Sun Shadow Coverage Low Shadows are very demanding. Setting this to 'Low' drastically improves FPS, especially in outdoor areas, with minimal impact on competitive visibility.
Spot Shadow Detail Disabled Disabling spot shadows (dynamic shadows from lights) provides a noticeable FPS gain without significantly hindering gameplay.
Anti-aliasing TSAA (Low) TSAA provides decent edge smoothing with a moderate performance hit. Avoid higher settings like MSAA as they are too demanding for the GTX 1660.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Running Apex Legends at resolutions higher than 1080p or with a render scale above 100% on a GTX 1660, leading to severe FPS drops.
  • Leaving background applications and overlays (Discord overlay, Spotify, web browsers) running, which consume CPU and RAM resources.
  • Forgetting to update NVIDIA drivers regularly, missing out on crucial performance optimizations for Apex Legends.
  • Enabling V-Sync in-game or in the NVIDIA Control Panel, which introduces significant input lag and can cause stuttering.
  • Not optimizing Windows power settings, leading to CPU and GPU throttling during gameplay.

Pro tips

  • Use the Firing Range to test new settings. It's a controlled environment where you can observe FPS and feel changes without competitive pressure.
  • Ensure your monitor's refresh rate is set correctly in Windows Display Settings. A high refresh rate monitor is wasted if Windows isn't configured for it.
  • Consider creating a custom autoexec.cfg file in your Apex Legends game directory to apply advanced console commands and settings automatically.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is my FPS low in Apex Legends on my GTX 1660?

Low FPS on a GTX 1660 is often due to high texture settings, demanding shadow quality, or excessive background processes. Ensure your Texture Streaming Budget is set to 2GB and disable demanding shadow options for significant improvements.

What's the best anti-aliasing setting for Apex Legends with a GTX 1660?

For a GTX 1660, TSAA (Temporal Anti-aliasing) set to 'Low' is generally the best balance. It provides decent edge smoothing without a severe performance impact. Avoid MSAA as it's too demanding.

Should I use Adaptive Supersampling in Apex Legends?

No, for competitive play on a GTX 1660, it's recommended to disable Adaptive Supersampling. While it aims to maintain FPS, it does so by dynamically changing resolution, which can lead to inconsistent visual quality and unpredictable input lag.

How important are NVIDIA drivers for Apex Legends performance?

Extremely important. NVIDIA regularly releases Game Ready Drivers that include specific optimizations for popular titles like Apex Legends. Keeping your drivers updated ensures you benefit from the latest performance enhancements and bug fixes.

Does VRAM capacity matter for Apex Legends on a GTX 1660?

Yes, VRAM matters. The GTX 1660 has 6GB of VRAM. While sufficient for 1080p, exceeding this capacity with very high texture settings can lead to stutters and performance drops. Keep your 'Texture Streaming Budget' at 2GB or 3GB to stay within limits.

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