So you want to play Fortnite, but you’re not sure if your computer or laptop can handle the game.
Well, this guide is for you.
In short, your Intel i5 is good for playing Fortnite.
Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, stated that the minimum processor to run Fortnite is the Intel i3 processor.
So your Intel i5 is more than enough to play Fortnite.
But can it run Fortnite flawlessly?
In this post, I will show you the minimum and recommended system requirements for Fortnite.
I will also show you what to look for when buying a new gaming system for Fortnite.
So let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Fortnite System Requirement
The first thing you need to know is that the minimum requirements aren’t enough to play Fortnite at a reasonable FPS.
I am talking about at least 60 FPS in medium to high settings to get that smooth gaming experience.
You’re going to need a better computer if you want to play it smoothly.
The second thing you need to know is that these requirements are always changing.
Epic Games, the company that makes Fortnite, is always trying to make the game look better and run better.
As a result, they’re always raising the requirements.
The third thing you need to know is that these requirements aren’t the be-all-end-all.
Just because your computer meets the recommended requirements doesn’t mean you’re going to get a smooth frame rate.
There’s more to it than that.
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.
The first thing you need is a good processor.
Nowadays, the cheapest computers will come with at least a Core i3 processor.
The i3 is Intel’s lowest and most affordable model.
While it’ll run basic tasks without any issues, it won’t run Fortnite very well.
You need a minimum of a Quad-core processor, which is basically a processor with four cores.
Most processors nowadays are quad-core, but just in case you still have a dual-core, which is two cores, that’s not going to work.
From my experience, an Intel i5 is good enough to run Fortnite.
As long as you get the newer version of the Intel i5.
It has enough cores and clock speed to get you a smooth gaming experience for Fortnite.
I suggest you go pick up at least the 8th or 9th generation of Intel i5 for Fortnite.
However, we know that processor alone is not enough for getting that smooth gaming experience.
You will need other stuff too!
This leads to my next point.
The second thing you need is enough RAM.
Fortnite recommends a minimum of 4GB of RAM, but that’s not going to get the job done once again.
You need 8GB of RAM to play Fortnite.
If you have 4GB, don’t bother.
Playing Fortnite with 4GB of RAM is a terrible experience.
The game lag so much to the point that I can’t stand it.
From my experience, 8GB of RAM is the least minimum you should have if you want to play Fortnite.
But if you have more budget in hand, you should opt for 16GB of RAM in 2021.
I believe this is the bare minimum you should have in your system to ensure you get the maximum gaming performance.
To better understand RAM, you can read my post about what does RAM do for gaming.
The third and the last thing you need is a good graphics card.
To play Fortnite smoothly, you will need a good graphics card.
After testing Fortnite on many different laptops, I can conclude one thing.
You will not enjoy playing Fortnite on an integrated graphics card.
I am talking about those graphics cards that come integrated with your processor.
For instance, the Intel HD graphics or the Radeon Vega GPU.
To get good FPS in Fortnite, you will need a dedicated GPU.
I recommend getting a GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM in 2021 for Fortnite as the game is quite resource-intensive.
But don’t worry, you can get a GPU with 2GB of VRAM very easily these days.
They also come with an affordable price tag.
Now, let us address some FAQs of playing Fortnite that I receive a lot in my mailbox.
Can You Play Fortnite on an i5 Gaming Laptop?
Yes, you can play Fortnite on an i5 laptop.
But, can you play Fortnite on an i5 laptop without sacrificing too much in terms of graphics quality and frames per second?
The answer to that question is: it depends on how powerful your laptop’s graphics card is.
If you have a laptop with a dedicated graphics card comparable to a GTX 1050 or better, then the answer is yes.
You can play Fortnite on an i5 processor without sacrificing too much in terms of frames per second or graphics quality.
If you have an i5 laptop with a weaker graphics card, like a GTX 950M, for example, then the answer is still yes, but you’re going to have to play Fortnite on low graphics quality.
Why? Because even though the i5 processor is powerful enough to run Fortnite, the graphics card isn’t powerful enough.
I’d say you should at least get the Nvidia 10 series graphics card to get a decent FPS on Fortnite.
Of course, if you want to play competitively, you will need a higher-end graphics card like the Nvidia 20 series or AMD higher-end GPU.
So, can you play Fortnite on an i5 laptop?
Yes, but you also need to make sure that you have a dedicated graphics card that’s good enough to get an enjoyable gaming experience.
After all, you want to gain that competitive advantage of having high FPS for Fortnite.
Read more about How much FPS is Good for Gaming in 2021.
Can 4GB of RAM Run Fortnite?
Yes, 4GB of RAM can run Fortnite.
The minimum amount of RAM that you can have to run Fortnite is 4GB.
However, you’re going to have a much better experience if you have 8GB or more.
If you have 4GB of RAM, you’re not going to have a good experience playing Fortnite, and you’re going to run into a lot of lag.
The reason for this is because, as we’ve already established, Fortnite is a very resource-intensive game.
It requires a lot of power to run.
If you have 4GB of RAM, that means that the game will have to use some of your computer’s internal storage to run.
Since internal storage is much slower than RAM, this is what leads to lagging and slow gameplay.
The more RAM you have, the less the game will have to use your computer’s internal storage, and the better your experience will be.
So, yes, 4GB of RAM can run Fortnite, but you’re not going to have a good experience.
You’ll be lagging all the time and experience a lot of stutters and FPS drops.
Also read: Allocating More RAM to Steam Games in 2021? Here is What You Need to Know!
Is An i5 Good for Gaming in 2021?
Yes, an i5 processor is good for gaming in 2021.
As of right now, in the year 2021, an Intel Core i5 processor is an excellent choice if you’re looking to buy a new gaming computer.
In fact, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t buy an i5.
It has enough cores and speed to run most applications and games in respectable settings.
Unless you’re on a really tight budget, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get an i5 instead of an Intel i3 processor.
An Intel i5 is perfect for gaming, and it’s also perfect for doing pretty much anything else.
It will run all of your day to day programs without any issues.
Final Words
So there you have it!
I hope you now know that Intel i5 is good for Fortnite as long as it is paired with enough RAM and a great GPU.
Now I would like to hear from you.
What CPU do you have right now? Is it enough to run Fortnite at high settings?
Are you going to upgrade your CPU anytime soon?
Either way, let me know thru the comment box below.
Thanks!
