Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
No high-end PC is required just to meet Fallout 4’s published minimum specifications. Bethesda lists an older quad-core processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 550 Ti or Radeon HD 7870-class graphics card as the minimum. Those requirements do not guarantee a particular resolution, graphics setting, or frame rate on your computer, so compare your actual hardware—and the experience you want—with the details below.
Fallout 4 PC system requirements
Bethesda publishes both minimum and recommended specifications. The recommended tier calls for a stronger processor and graphics card; RAM and free storage are the same in both tiers. These are the game’s published requirements, not performance benchmarks.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 7, 8, or 10 | 64-bit Windows 7, 8, or 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2300 at 2.8 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 945 at 3.0 GHz, or equivalent | Intel Core i7-4790 at 3.6 GHz or AMD FX-9590 at 4.7 GHz, or equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GTX 550 Ti with 2 GB or AMD Radeon HD 7870 with 2 GB, or equivalent | NVIDIA GTX 780 with 3 GB or AMD Radeon R9 290X with 4 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB free HDD space | 30 GB free HDD space |
Source: Bethesda Support’s PC system requirements. The listed operating-system line is from the game’s original requirements era. Separately, Steam says its client supports Windows 10 and later as of January 1, 2024; that client note is not a replacement for or update to the game’s listed OS requirement. See Fallout 4 on Steam.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →How to tell whether your PC is a good fit
“Good” depends on what you want from the game. First compare your PC’s processor, graphics card and its video memory, installed RAM, operating system, and available storage with Bethesda’s minimum and recommended columns. Meeting the minimum is a starting point for compatibility, not a promise of smooth play at a chosen resolution or visual quality.
#1 Best Overall
- Fearless ROG Design – The G700’s dual-glass chassis showcases iconic ROG design with the ROG Slash and Aura Sync RGB lighting. Its 58L capacity supports triple-slot GPUs.
- Unstoppable Power – Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD PCIe 4.0 storage for seamless gaming and multitasking.
- Optimized Thermals – Stay cool with a quad-fan system, while dust filters and efficient airflow ensure long-term reliability.
- Advanced Connectivity – Game without lag with 2.5Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and versatile ports. Dolby Atmos audio and AI noise cancellation enhance sound and communication.
- Ready for Upgrades – Designed with tool-less access, easily swap out components, ensuring future-proof performance for years to come.
- At or above minimum: Your components meet the published entry-level specifications, but Bethesda’s list does not establish the resolution, graphics preset, or frame rate you will get.
- Closer to recommended or better: Your processor and graphics card meet or exceed Bethesda’s higher listed tier. That still does not guarantee a specific result on a modern PC or in every scene.
- Below minimum: The PC falls short of at least one listed requirement. The specifications do not establish whether it will run acceptably despite that shortfall.
For a performance target, also decide on your desired resolution, visual settings, and frame rate. Bethesda’s published requirements do not map hardware to those targets, and no reproducible benchmark for named contemporary PC hardware and settings is established here. Do not treat the requirement table as a frame-rate estimate.
What the 2024 update says—and what it does not
Bethesda’s Next Gen Update 2 notes, published May 13, 2024, identify PC version 1.10.984. Their 30, 40, and 60 frame-rate target choices and Visuals/Performance priorities refer to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X. The 40 target requires a 120 Hz display, and console modes may dynamically adjust internal resolution. These console options are not PC performance specifications and should not be used to predict what a computer will deliver.
Rank #2
- System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
- Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
- Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support
If Fallout 4 runs poorly on a PC that meets the requirements
Bethesda recommends trying basic settings and system checks. Its troubleshooting guidance says, “You may be able to improve game performance by lowering or disabling some graphics settings in game, including the resolution.” These are troubleshooting steps, not guaranteed fixes. Follow Bethesda’s poor-performance troubleshooting guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Reset the video options: Use the launcher’s auto-detected defaults as a baseline.
- Reduce graphics demands: Lower or disable graphics options, including resolution, then check whether performance improves.
- Close other software: Quit unnecessary applications that are running in the background.
- Update graphics drivers: Check that the driver for your graphics hardware is current.
- Reset configuration files if needed: Bethesda suggests removing the game’s INI files to reset settings. Back up configuration files first if you want to preserve custom settings.
- Try a different display mode: Test borderless or windowed mode.
If you need to compare your computer with Bethesda’s component list, its system-requirements guidance describes creating a DxDiag report to collect system information.
Rank #3
- 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
- GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
- High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
Should you upgrade your PC?
The published requirements alone are not enough to justify buying hardware: they do not show what a particular modern component will achieve at your chosen settings. Check your current specifications first, then try Bethesda’s settings and software troubleshooting steps if performance is poor. A hardware purchase decision needs a more specific target and reliable benchmarks for the game version, named hardware, settings, and test conditions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
- 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
- BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
- 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
- READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Rank #4
- POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
- NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
- Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
