Download How to build your own Fortnite gaming PC

It does not cost thousands of dollars to build a PC that can run Fortnite at the highest settings. In fact, for just around $ 700 worth of parts, you can build a gaming PC that can run Fortnite with all the settings max.

If you build a gaming PC yourself, you can save money. Computers are much cheaper if you buy the parts individually and put everything together piece by piece.

If you’ve never built a computer before, it’s not as difficult as you might think it is. You can watch youtube tutorials and assemble your computer slowly and carefully. Watch a long youtube tutorial that shows everything and does not skip any of the small details. You can build a computer the first time you try without previous experience.

How much does it cost to build a PC that can run Fortnite?

Fortnite is not the type of game that requires a very powerful computer to run. However, the system requirements are not so low that almost all computers can run the game.

If you are trying to run Fortnite on an outdated laptop or desktop computer, you may need to minimize the settings. You do not need an expensive computer, but you do need affordable modern hardware. If you spend less than $ 700, you will probably not be able to maximize Fortnite.

You can put together a computer for very little if you know what you are doing – it can cost as little as $ 300 worth of parts. However, a $ 300 PC is not good enough to run even a less demanding game like Fortnite at high settings. $ 500 is closer to maximizing Fortnite – you can get the game running at a very high frame rate on a PC that costs $ 500.

However, you may not be able to maximize everything even if you have a $ 500 computer. You have to spend $ 700, and even then you have to choose your parts carefully to have a machine that can maximize Fortnite.

Remember that running the game well is not the same as running it with maximum settings. You can spend less than $ 700 and have a PC that can make the game look good and run smoothly.

The resolution is the most important thing you have to compromise on if you have a gaming PC at the lower end. You need powerful hardware to run games in 4K resolution, and even a $ 700 gaming PC will not be able to do that.

A 4K monitor can also be too expensive for a PC that costs only $ 700 in total. However, you can maximize everything at 1080p and probably with a higher resolution with a $ 700 gaming PC.

If you borrow credit to pay for your PC building, you can compare with an impartial comparison site, especially if you have bad credit.

What are the system requirements?

For a 3D game that is less than five years old, Fortnite has low system requirements. You need 4 GB of RAM, a 64-bit Windows operating system (as old as Windows 7 is fine), and a basic graphics card like an Intel HD 4000.

An older CPU like an Intel Core i3 is also good enough to run Fortnite. Usually you can run the game on anything. You can easily buy a cheap used computer that can run the game.

Recommended system requirements are not so basic. You need relatively powerful hardware to run the game at high to maximum settings. The recommended system requirements are:

Operating System – Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
Ram – 8 GB
GPU – AMD HD 7870 or NVIDIA GTX 660
CPU – Intel Core i5

The best and cheapest way to get a computer that can run the game at the recommended settings or at maximum settings is to build a computer yourself. If you build a $ 700 gaming PC, you can run not only Fortnite, but many newer and more demanding games at maximum settings.

Why you should learn how to build your own PC

Again, this is not very difficult to do. If you’ve never done it before, you may need to do it slowly and carefully, but it only takes a little focus. If you are interested in building a PC yourself, give it a try.

You can most likely get it right the first time. After learning how to build a PC, you can save money for the rest of your life by buying parts instead of buying computers. People are willing to pay significantly more for the convenience of a pre-built computer.

You can also just pay for what you want and not waste money on components you do not want to use. For example, if a pre-built PC has a huge hard drive, much larger than you will ever use, you will want to buy something you do not need. Many store-bought PCs come with a lot of “bloatware” programs you do not want to use but have to pay for.

A cheap PC that can run Fortnite for $ 300

Believe it or not, you can build a PC that can run Fortnite reasonably well for only $ 300. There is not a very noticeable difference between 40fps and 60fps, and the game still looks reasonably good if you turn down the graphics settings.

To assemble a basic game computer for $ 300, you will need:

• Windows 10 operating system
• Cooler Master 650W power supply
• Aerocool Cylon bag
• PNY 240GM solid-state drive
• Patriot Viper 8 GB RAM
Gigabyte B460M motherboard
• AMD Ryzen 3 3200G CPU

A PC that can run Fortnite at high settings for $ 500

High settings are usually good enough, even if you do not maximize everything. If you can run Fortnite at 60 fps on medium-high settings, there is not much difference between that and everything max.

You still need a 1080p display, but Fortnite looks reasonably good with that resolution. $ 500 is enough to build a gaming PC that can run Fortnite properly.

• Windows 10 operating system
• Cooler Master 650W power supply
• Aerocool Cylon bag
• ADATA 480 GB solid-state drive
• Patriot Viper 8 GB RAM
Gigabyte B460M motherboard
• AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU
Gigabyte GTX 1650S graphics processor

A better gaming PC that can Max Out Fortnite for $ 700

For $ 700 you can get a real gaming PC that can run new games with relatively low resolutions. Again, it will run new and advanced games at high settings, just not with very high resolutions. You can also run many games, including Fortnite with a resolution higher than 1080p, without turning down any settings.

• Windows 10 operating system
• Cooler Master 650W power supply
• Aerocool Cylon bag
• ADATA 480 GB solid-state drive
• OLOy 16 GB RAM
• GIGABYTE B550 motherboard
• AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU
• PowerColor RX 5600 XT graphics card

How to assemble a PC yourself

First, you need a good place to build your PC and the right tools. A large wooden table is the best place to build a PC. Do not use a metal table or a table that is too small. If the room you use does not have adequate lighting, get a portable lamp to see everything you are doing right.

You do not need many tools – get a screwdriver, a container for the screws, scissors and zippers. Bring a smartphone / tablet / laptop to look up things while working on the game computer.

Never try to build, upgrade or repair a PC without using antistatic equipment such as antistatic gloves. Computers are full of sensitive electronic parts that can be severely damaged by static electricity. Take the protection of your computer against static electricity seriously.

Assemble the parts in the correct order

If you assemble parts in the wrong order, you will not fit everything and you will have to take things out. Some parts, such as the power supply, must be inserted first. Place the parts in the suitcase in this order:

• Power supply (PSU)
• Processor (CPU)
• Memory (RAM)
• CPU cooler
• Motherboard
• Box fan
• Hard Disk or Solid State Drive
• Graphics card

After inserting all the parts, the last step is to connect the buttons and cables. While you may not have to do everything in that order, you can not change the order too much. One part may block the placement of another part.

First, open the PC cover and place the screws and panels in a safe place. Then install the power supply. Make sure that the exhaust valve blows out of the cover, otherwise the PC will overheat. You need to run wires from the power supply to everything else in the computer.

Then you need to assemble the motherboard by attaching the processor, ram and CPU cooler to it. Do not put the motherboard in the case until after you have put it together.

The CPU is held in place by a spring-loaded arm that is already on the system board. Slide the lever up and out, place the CPU in the socket, and then move the lever back into place to hold the CPU in place.

It’s easy to put RAM in place. There are two obvious tracks for the memory, and you can set the notches and insert the memory carefully. Then attach the CPU cooler to the system board. The CPU would quickly overheat without a fan cooling it continuously.

Then you need to install the motherboard. First, remove the I / O board from the cover and replace it with the system board I / O board. Use the screws that came with the cover to secure the system board. All this should be done carefully and cautiously.

Then install the cabinet fans. You need two of them, one to draw air into your case and another to blow air out. If you have only one, the airflow will be poor and the computer will heat up.

Then install the hard drive using the screws that came with the cover. Use the SATA data cable to connect the hard disk drive to the system board, which has holes for the pins.

While some processors come pre-installed with an integrated graphics card, others do not. Insert the graphics card with the PCI expansion slot and insert it carefully. You will hear a click when it is locked in place.

Connect the buttons

This is one of the hardest parts of putting together a computer. You need to attach the power button, reset button and everything else to the system board.

There are many different pins on your motherboard and you have to align everything. There are many small wires, and different holes in the motherboard look the same.

You can find a youtube video specifically about connecting the buttons. You must connect at least the power switch, the reset switch and the LED lights. Do this slowly and carefully because your PC may not start up if you make a mistake at this stage.

Connect the cables

Connecting the power supply to the motherboard, graphics card and hard drive is relatively easy because you can tell where to place it depending on the number of pins.

The EPS cable that connects the power supply to the motherboard has eight pins. You should then connect the 24-pin power supply cable to the 24-pin ATX port on the system board.

The SATA power cable and the SATA data cables that connect to the hard disk drive also have 24 pins. Finally, the 6-pin PCle connector goes from the power supply to the graphics card.

By this time you are done and your PC should boot up if you try it. Be sure to turn on the switch behind the power supply first. You should use your zippers to tie up the cables so that they are not everywhere.

Usually you have to install an operating system yourself, since the hard drive does not come with it installed. Connect a flash drive with the operating system on, turn on the computer, and press Delete when you boot it to enter the BIOS. Change the boot order to prioritize the flash drive so that you can install the operating system.

You need to download a few things before your PC is fully operational. You need to download the correct motherboard and graphics card drivers. Go to the company’s website and download the drivers. Finally, restart the computer after installation.

At this point, your gaming computer should be ready to play Fortnite. Building a PC yourself for the first time can be a bit of a challenge, but it can save you thousands of dollars over decades. Every time you build a new computer, you will save a significant amount of money, and your computer will have exactly the system specifications you want.

This post was last updated: December 10, 2021