Can a $500 gaming PC run Fortnite at 144 FPS?

Yes. All three PCs on this list run Fortnite at 1080p competitive settings at 144+ FPS. Valorant and CS2 are even easier. These are esports-capable machines.

Should I save up for a $800 PC instead?

If you can wait, yes. The jump from RTX 3050 to RTX 4060 is significant — about 60% more performance. But if you need a PC now and budget is firm, these $500-600 options are genuinely capable gaming machines.

Best Budget Gaming PCs 2026