Do You Need a Graphics Card For Fortnite? [Essential or Not]

Written By Steven Arends

Fortnite attracted a large number of mainstream players from the start, and many of them have different PC builds. When considering a mainstream game to run, you may first consider what graphics card to purchase.

But, does Fortnite require dedicated graphics because it appears to be a mid-weight game? You might be surprised by the answer.

I am arranging all short-off data about Fortnite’s requirements on the dedicated graphics card. So, without further ado, let’s get started.do-you-need-a-graphics-card-for-fortnitew

You may also like to read about Genshin Impact best graphics settings.

What are the Official Requirements of Fortnite?

To run Fortnite on a PC, you at least need Windows 7/8/10/11 64-bit or Mac OS Mojave with 4 GB RAM and Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8. This is the bare minimum for playing. Additionally, if you build better, you will be able to enjoy higher quality.

Fortnite is designed in such a way that it can run on a variety of computers and attract numerous players to board the battle bus. As a result, a wide variety of people can enjoy the gameplay.

Fortnite has three different tire settings. You can play with the minimum requirements and at least 60 frames per second, or you can use the recommended settings to enjoy overall graphics and performance.

It’s good news if you have dedicated graphics. The game is also playable on integrated graphics systems. Another thing to keep in mind is that turning off integrated graphics when you have a dedicated GPU will improve CPU performance.

That being said, to get the best graphical settings, use Epic settings, which Fortnite introduces after Chapter 2 Season 7. At the time, they upgraded the entire graphical overhaul. I’ve listed the requirements in the correct order below. So, let’s go over the requirements.

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

To get the best overall performance out of the game, stick to the recommended settings. It ensures that you receive enough FPS and do not experience lag or jittery performance.

Check the table below and then review your PC or Mac specifications. You’ll have a good idea about what kind of performance you can receive.

Video CardAMD R9 280, Nvidia GTX 960, or equivalent DirectX11 GPU
VRAM2 GB
ProcessorCore i5-7300U 3.5 GHz, AMD Ryzen 3 3300U
Memory/RAM8 GB
Operating SystemWindows 10/11 64-bit or Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6
Hard Drive30 GB
fortnite-recommand-game-settingsI used a Core i5-3570 with a GTX 960 2GB to demonstrate the performance. Also, the system has 8 GB of RAM. As you can see, I can achieve around 130FPS with 1080p in Low settings. You can even try High settings to get 60FPS with 3D Resolution set to 100%.

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Fortnite is a battle royale game; if it were a campaign game, the low FPS or lag might not bother everyone.

Nevertheless, lag is not permitted in the battle royale game. A small amount of lag will cost you the game. Furthermore, if the request requirement is too low, Fortnite might well crash.

Video CardIntel HD 4000, AMD Radeon Vega 8 (APUs)
VRAM
ProcessorCore i3-3225 3.3 GHz, AMD Ryzen 3 3300U
Memory/RAM4 GB
Operating System7/8/10/11 64-bit or Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6
Hard Drive30 GB
fortnite-minimum-settings-performanceThis system is powered by an Intel Core i3-7020U processor and Intel HD 620 Graphics. At 1080p, the FPS is around 30, which is unacceptable. However, with 720p and the 3D Resolution set to 30%, I can achieve around 50 FPS. And the game is enjoyable to play.

This system requirement is the bare minimum of the settings required to play the game. The game will not be playable if your system does not meet the minimum requirements.

Fortnite requires at least an Intel HD 4000. Below that, you may experience lag or a low FPS. The Intel HD 4000 has integrated graphics properties. As an alternative, you can use AMD processors with AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics cards to play the game comfortably.

EPIC QUALITY PRESETS SPECIFICATIONS

After Chapter two Season 7, Fortnite greatly enhances all graphical properties. And to play with the utmost graphical settings you can get a superior system. Here is a table with the epic graphical requirements.

Video CardNvidia RTX 3070, AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
VRAM6–8 GB or higher
ProcessorIntel Core i7-8700, AMD Ryzen 7 3700x
Memory/RAM16 GB or higher
Operating SystemWindows 10/11 64-bit
Hard Drive30 GB (NVMe SSD)

How to Verify Your Pc or Mac Meets System Requirements

The requirements are all ready known to you from the previous section. So, how can you ensure that your system meets the requirements?

Let me demonstrate the ways to check the system. And, for PC, use System Information to check your PC specifications, while for Mac, use the About this Mac menu.

Here are the steps to ensuring that your PC meets the Fortnite requirements:

Check PC Specifications

  • Press Win + R to open the Run command.
  • Type msinfo32, and hit Enter. The system information tool will open.enter-system-summer-from-run
  • Go to the System Summary and thoroughly monitor the info.monitor-information-from-system-summary

Find your operating system, processor, memory/RAM amount, and graphics option in the System Summary. Also, make certain that your specifications exceed the requirements.

Fortnite requires a Core i5-7300U 3.5 GHz processor, but in the image, the testing unit has an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-11400, which exceeds the requirements.

To expand the list, click the plus icon under System Summary. And then select Display to display your video card.monitor-display-from-system-summary

The bare minimum is Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, but the tested system includes an AMD Radeon RX 580 series dedicated graphics unit. This not only meets but also exceeds the requirement.

Check Mac Specifications

  • Click the Apple icon from the top left corner
  • Choose About This Mac.check-mac-info

The Mac features an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory/RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics 630. This specification goes above and beyond the minimum requirements. As a result, ensure overall great Fortnite gameplay.

Can I play Fortnite Without a Graphics card?

Yes, Fortnite can be played without a dedicated graphics card. Even so, a moderately integrated graphics processor is required.

Recently AMD offers some great powerful APU or integrated graphics processors in their 5000 series. Where you can perhaps play Fortnite at 1080p and get outstanding quality at 720p.

In addition, the equivalent Intel Core i5-11400 processor provides comparable performance. As you can see in the minimum requirements section, Fortnite has already stated that the game will run on integrated graphics. And the APUs are getting stronger with each passing day.

That being said, keep in mind that when playing on an integrated graphics processor, you must keep the graphics setting low in order to achieve a great 60FPS performance. On an integrated graphics system, high graphics settings will result in sluggish performance.

APU provides some excellent graphical features on a limited budget. This is one of the most significant advantages of APU. However, not all CPUs include integrated graphics.

My Ryzen 5 5600G processor lacks a dedicated graphics card. And trust me, it’s a good APU for the price. I can play Fortnite at 60 frames per second in 1080p with a slightly lower 3D resolution scaling, ensuring better performance for me.rygen-5-5600g-fortnite-performance

FAQs

What graphics card can run Fortnite at epic settings?

The GeForce RTX 3080 is one of the best Nvidia GPUs for running Fortnite at maximum graphical settings. It has 10GB GDDR6X VRAM, allowing it to run most modern games at high graphics settings.

What is the cheapest graphics card for Fortnite?

The Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 is one of the most affordable desktop GPUs available. This low-budget GPU will provide adequate performance in Fortnite.

Can I play games without a graphics card?

Dedicated graphics cards significantly improve game performance, and they are still required for AAA title games. However, integrated graphics, onboard graphics, and APUs now offer adequate performance. True, APUs are no match for dedicated graphics, but iGPU can provide adequate performance in many games.

Can you play Fortnite on a normal laptop?

Most standard laptops have an APU or onboard graphics. You can also play Fortnite if your processor has Intel HD 4000 or AMD Radeon Vega 8. And if your processor has a better iGPU, you should be able to play the game smoothly at 720p.

Wrap-Ups

It is not required to have a dedicated card to play Fortnite. But this line is just a fact. Playing a game is more than just covering the objectives, there are many aspects to enjoy as well. And a dedicated graphics card can give you that advantage.

If you are a competitive player, the graphics card is an essential component. I already discussed the requirements and how you can check yours, as well as answer your question. Now choose your path.

About The Author
Steven Arends is a computer science graduate and tech enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in the field. He has a vast collection of computer hardware and loves exploring the latest advancements. As a contributing author to 10Scopes, Steven shares his expertise to make the world of technology more accessible and easier to understand for all readers.

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