Fallout 4 PC Hardware Guide
Official requirements explained
The official minimum for Fallout 4 lists an Intel Core i5-2300 at 2.8 GHz or an AMD Phenom II X4 945 at 3.0 GHz as the CPU, paired with an NVIDIA GTX 550 Ti 2GB or an AMD Radeon HD 7870 2GB as the GPU. It also asks for 8 GB of RAM and 30 GB of storage. By today's standards this is a very old entry level: the CPU is roughly comparable to a Core 2 Quad Q6600, and the GPU sits near integrated or entry products such as the GeForce GT 1030.
The official recommended level is an Intel Core i7 4790 at 3.6 GHz or an AMD FX-9590 at 4.7 GHz for the CPU, and an NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB or an AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB for the GPU. RAM and storage stay at 8 GB and 30 GB. The recommended CPU is roughly equivalent to a Ryzen 5 1400, and the recommended GPU is close to a Radeon HD 7950. The gap between minimum and recommended is larger on the graphics side, which suggests the game leans more on the GPU than the CPU, so spending extra on the graphics card usually makes the bigger difference.
The publisher does not list a solid-state drive as required, and the requirement is marked as not needed. Still, an 8 GB RAM figure is the bare minimum, and most players today go for 16 GB or more to leave headroom. Details such as the exact operating system version and driver requirements are not specified in this table, so check the official store page for those.
Recommended builds for three budgets
The entry build suits players with a tight budget or a machine they already own. A GTX 1650 4GB, GTX 1660 or RTX 3050 6GB handles the graphics side, with a Ryzen 3 3100 or Core i3-10100F for the CPU. This combination sits clearly above the official minimum and should comfortably reach the recommended tier, but high resolutions and high presets will be a stretch. Plan on at least 16 GB of RAM.
The mainstream build is the best value for most players. A GTX 1660 Super, RTX 3050 8GB or Radeon RX 6500 XT covers the graphics, and a Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i5-10400 provides a six-core CPU at a sensible price. At standard resolutions this clears the official recommended level with room to spare, and it leaves headroom for heavier settings or added mods. Again, 16 GB of RAM is the right target.
The high build is for players who want high resolutions, high presets, or who stream and record while playing. An RTX 2070 Super, RTX 4060 or Radeon RX 7600 handles the graphics, and a Ryzen 5 5600, Ryzen 7 5700X or Core i7-11700K covers the processor. Within the scope of this game, this setup is generous and performance is rarely the limiting factor. Start at 16 GB of RAM, and move to 32 GB if you run many mods or heavy background software.
Graphics settings with the biggest impact
In open-world RPGs like this one, the settings that usually cost the most are shadows, volumetric lighting and fog, view distance, and the density of crowds and simulated objects. Shadow quality and shadow distance often give the least visual return for their cost. Dropping them one or two steps rarely hurts the picture much, and on weaker graphics cards it can ease the load noticeably. Volumetric lighting and fog are also demanding, though they carry much of the atmosphere, so reduce them if you need headroom.
Distance and detail settings deserve attention too. Distant objects and their detail add to the draw workload, which makes them a good place to adjust if your system struggles on the large maps. Conversely, anti-aliasing, the texture resolution of main surfaces, and basic lighting are generally worth keeping, since they shape sharpness and texture quality while costing comparatively less.
If your graphics card supports upscaling technologies such as DLSS, FSR or XeSS, you can render at a lower internal resolution and let the algorithm scale up to your output resolution. In general, these trade a small amount of image quality for extra performance headroom, and the quality modes are closest to native. Results vary with the game's implementation and your hardware, so compare for yourself. Ray tracing, where offered, is a heavy option; unless your card is clearly above the recommended tier, it is not the first thing to switch on.
Laptops and handheld PCs
A laptop GPU shares its name with a desktop part but usually performs noticeably worse. Laptops run under tighter power limits and have limited cooling space, so the same model name can deliver less sustained performance. When comparing laptops, look at the specific power configuration and cooling design rather than the GPU name alone. Play plugged in with a performance power profile, which generally keeps frame delivery steadier and avoids thermal throttling.
Handheld PCs such as the Steam Deck or ROG Ally can run games like this, but you should expect to use lower resolutions and moderate settings and to rely on the system's own tuning options to balance performance against battery life. Cooling and power are tightly constrained on these devices, so performance can shift as the unit heats up during long sessions. Start with conservative settings and adjust gradually. No verified Steam Deck rating is available for this game, so treat these points as general guidance.
Storage and memory
The official listing asks for 8 GB of RAM, but 16 GB is a more practical starting point today. Dual-channel memory helps the processor move data more efficiently, so install memory in matched pairs in the slots recommended by your motherboard rather than a single stick.
For storage, the official figure is 30 GB. Leave extra room beyond that for updates, saves and mods. A solid-state drive is not required, but installing the game on one shortens loading times noticeably, including fast travel and save loading. A traditional hard drive will still work, with longer waits between areas. Keep some free space on the drive for updates, since large patches need temporary room to install.