The best CPU you can get for Apex Legends is the Intel Core i7-8700K. It's not the most powerful processor on the market, but it'll give you excellent performance on Apex Legends and, honestly, you won't need much more.
Who should buy the Intel Core i7-8700K?
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Ideally, you should buy the Intel Core i7-8700K if you want to play Apex Legends on max settings with the maximum number of high frames per second, or if you're planning to play it at high resolutions like 1440p or 4K. Apex can run comfortably on less powerful settings and you won't notice much of a difference, but if you want it to look the best it can look, then you'll want a more powerful CPU.
Is it a good time to buy the Intel Core i7-8700K?
Absolutely. Since this CPU is no longer the strongest one for gaming PCs, you won't need to worry about the price fluctuating around or changing much.
What makes the Intel Core i7-8700K so great?
The main reason that the Intel Core i7-8700K is such a good processor is that it can handle pretty much any game out right now at high settings very comfortably, especially Apex Legends because of how little that game taxes computers compared to more detailed titles. When playing Apex Legends, this extra power can be used to either boost the frame rate to excellent levels way above 60 or to push high resolutions like 1440p and 4K.
In addition, if you want to try and get both higher than 60fps and play in 1440p, you can do so by overclocking the CPU, provided you have an equally good graphics card to go along with this processor. Overclocking isn't recommended for everyone but the option is here if you want it.
The only downside we see to getting this particular CPU is that there are other options available. If you want a CPU that can handle Apex Legends and more intensive games like Anthem or The Division 2 on high settings and in 4K, you're going to have to spend more.
Alternatives to the Intel Core i7-8700K
If the Intel Core i7-8700K isn't right for you, you'll love some of the following alternative processors. The first one is an elite processor with enough power to support 4K gaming comfortably, the second one is a less expensive and less powerful CPU that still offers great mid-range performance, and the third one is a budget pick that will serve you well if you don't mind turning some settings down.
If you're interested in 4K gaming for Apex Legends, then the Intel Core i7-9700K is perfect for you. It's even stronger than the i7-8700K, and it's also overclockable too, meaning that as long as you can keep your PC cool, this processor can handle anything you throw its way.
If you're not looking for high-end quality, the Intel Core i5-8400 is the perfect mid-range pick for you. It's got an excellent amount of power for gaming at 1080p at 60 frames per second on max settings, and that's how you should plan on using it for Apex Legends. Pushing resolutions like 1440p with this processor will harm your frame rate, but as long as you stick to HD, you're good to go.
If you don't have much to spend on a processor, the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 should be what you choose. It's dirt cheap at just $74, but as you'd expect, you get much less power than you would if you chose either of the other two CPUs on this list. Even so, if you turn Apex Legends' settings down, you can get good frame rates. Additionally, this CPU comes with AMD's famous Wraith coolers that make overclocking easy and a lot less risky, so you can push this processor past its limits if you choose.
Bottom line
At the end of the day, the Intel Core i7-8700K is the best processor for Apex Legends because it's the perfect balance of power and price, and the option to overclock it exists as well.
