This comprehensive guide is designed to help you run Fallout 3, a classic game that is now nearly 15 years old, on today's modern hardware seamlessly. Whether you're returning to the Capital Wasteland for nostalgia or experiencing it for the first time, you'll find everything you need here to get the game running smoothly.

Drawing on my extensive experience in modding Fallout 3 and its engine-similar counterpart, Fallout: New Vegas, I've compiled this guide to be as user-friendly as possible. It's crafted with beginners in mind, ensuring that even those new to modding can follow along with ease. You will learn step-by-step how to overcome compatibility issues, enhance game performance, and implement the best mods to enrich your gameplay experience.

VC++ Redist, DirectX, DotNet Framework

You may have encountered these components when installing older games or programs. Simply put, they are essential for various Windows applications to function correctly (e.g., DirectX for graphics).

The components listed here are crucial for running the game and some important utilities or patches mentioned later. Installing them in the specified order will help prevent many crashing issues.

Make sure to install all the components in the order provided. Even if you have newer versions installed, these specific versions are necessary as they include elements no longer installed by default. If already installed, choose the "Repair" option when prompted or skip the installation if no other options are available.

Start with the Visual C++ components :
Visual C++ Redist 2005[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2008[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2008[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2010[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2012[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2013[download.microsoft.com]
Visual C++ Redist 2015/2017/2019 x86[aka.ms]
Visual C++ Redist 2015/2017/2019 x64[aka.ms] (yes you must download both)


Next, do the DotNet Framework components :
DotNet Framework 3.5[download.microsoft.com]
DotNet Framework 4.0[download.microsoft.com]


Finish with:
DirectX Component June 2010[download.microsoft.com]

7zip

: Mods and utilities often come in various compressed archive formats, so you'll need an archive management program to handle them.

Grab the newest version here[www.7-zip.org] (in 32 bits if your OS is in 32 bits, otherwise, in 64 bits)

Fallout Script extender

: a utility that significantly enhances the game's scripting capabilities and is required for many mods.

Grab the 1.32b version here[www.nexusmods.com]
Install by extracting the entire file into your fallout 3 directory using 7Zip or using the Mod manager download option.

Optionally, you can install Vortex, the mod manager developed by Nexus Mods, which is highly praised for its ease of use.

: If you plan to install additional mods not covered in this guide, such as texture or weather mods, Vortex is a must-have.

Grab the latest Version here[www.nexusmods.com]

The Anniversary Patcher[www.nexusmods.com] << Must Install manually>>

: This masterpiece of a mod removes all traces of G4WL and the LIVE button, allows the game to use up to 4 GB of RAM, automatically loads FOSE if installed, fixes the 139 mod limit, and addresses crashes with Intel integrated graphics.

After downloading the archive, extract it to the folder containing the game's executable and run 'Patcher.exe'. A command line window will open, and once it displays "patching completed successfully," you can close the window and delete the patcher's files.


FO3 BSA Decompressor[www.nexusmods.com] << Must Install manually >>

: Another masterpiece of a mod. This mod decompresses Fallout 3 game files to reduce stutter and improve load times by eliminating real-time decompression. This results in smoother performance, particularly on traditional HDDs, making the game more responsive and enjoyable


New Vegas Anti crash[www.nexusmods.com]

: Sort of a bandaid for the game engine, preventing crashes when errors occur, though it doesn’t fix the underlying issues.

While you should be able to just drop this into your mod manager. Vortex will get fussy about it, since it's not categorized as a "Fallout 3" mod, but if you click the Fallout 3 option it should install just fine.

Manual Install - Download, extract and copy the "Data" folder over the one in the "Fallout 3" install directory.


lStewieAl's Tweaks[www.nexusmods.com]

Install both the main file and the optional INI file; you should have no issues using a mod manager for the installation.

After installing Launch the game once and then close it. Next, open stewie_tweaks.ini in the FOSE folder and adjust the following values:

bDontMirrorTexturesInRAM = 1
bNoXPBarInCombat = 1
bPatchHeapSize = 1
bQueueSemiAutoShots = 1
bTickFix = 1

[Heap]
iHeapSizeInMB = 512

[Tick Fix]
bFastExit = 1
bFastResolution = 0
bGetTickCountFix = 1
bRemoveRCSafeGuard = 1

• Multi-Core Compatibility

This is the most important tweak because, without it, the game will constantly crash. Also increases performance slightly

Go to \Documents\My Games\Fallout3\, find the FALLOUT.INI file, open it in Notepad.
Replace bUseThreadedAI=0 with bUseThreadedAI=1
Then add an extra line right below it and type iNumHWThreads=2


*Optional

• Disabling Mouse Acceleration

Find the [Controls] section in Fallout.ini and add the following lines to it:

fForegroundMouseAccelBase=0
fForegroundMouseAccelTop=0
fForegroundMouseBase=0
fForegroundMouseMult=0




Place the file into Documents\My Games\Fallout3

Note: Command extender[www.nexusmods.com] is required, you should be able to use the mod manager install without problems.

Game refuses to start
: Delete every file from Documents\My Games\Fallout3 apart from the Saves folder then relaunch the game,if it still won't launch then reinstall..

Music from the Pipboy is stuttering
: Grab this useful file here[www.indirectsound.com] and place the dsound.dll from it in the folder containing the game's executable. That's all !

Mod I highly recommend to further enhance your Fallout 3 experience [QoL Mods].
Install using Vortex. <<Follow instructions on mod page(s) and install its requirements first. >>

Bug Fixes
Updated Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch[www.nexusmods.com] <<Beware this mod has been known to cause crashes when paired with certain other mods >>
Sunlight Fix[www.nexusmods.com]
Viewmodel Shading Fix[www.nexusmods.com]
IndirectSound[www.indirectsound.com] < Fixes music stutter >

Visuals
Fallout 3 HD Overhaul[www.nexusmods.com]
Furniture Retextured[www.nexusmods.com]
Project Beauty[www.nexusmods.com]
A Decent Metro Map[www.nexusmods.com]
URWLENB FO3
Vanilla UI plus