Fallout 4 SA build - modern hardware, classic-game performance

Fallout 4 runs well on modern hardware, but its engine is CPU-sensitive in dense areas like downtown Boston, so an SA build needs a strong CPU as much as a capable GPU, especially when modded.

Quick Answer

Vanilla Fallout 4 runs at 100-144 fps at 1080p on a R12,000 PC, but downtown Boston and heavy mod lists tax the CPU hard. A R15,000 Ryzen 5 7600 with an RTX 4060 holds 60-90 fps even in the worst-case city areas at 1440p.

Why Fallout 4 Needs CPU Grunt

Fallout 4's Creation Engine struggles in cluttered zones, with downtown Boston dropping weak CPUs into the 40s regardless of GPU. A fast modern CPU like the Ryzen 5 7600 keeps 1% lows high where an older chip stutters. The GPU mainly matters once you add 4K textures and ENB.

The SA Build For Smooth Boston

A R15,000 build with a Ryzen 5 7600, RTX 4060 (8GB), 16GB DDR5 and a 1TB NVMe SSD handles vanilla and moderately modded Fallout 4 at 1440p 60-90 fps, including the city. For very heavy mod lists, step to 32GB RAM and an RTX 4070.

Vanilla Vs Modded FPS

Vanilla Fallout 4 hits 100-144 fps at 1080p and 90-120 fps at 1440p outside the city; downtown Boston drops to 60-90 fps on a strong CPU. A 4K-texture, ENB-heavy mod load lands 50-70 fps at 1440p on the RTX 4060, where VRAM becomes the limit.

FAQ

Why does Fallout 4 stutter in cities?

Its Creation Engine is CPU-bound in cluttered areas like downtown Boston. A fast CPU such as the Ryzen 5 7600 keeps frame times steady where older chips drop into the 40s.

What FPS does Fallout 4 hit at 1440p?

Around 90-120 fps outside the city and 60-90 fps in downtown Boston on a Ryzen 5 7600 with an RTX 4060, both vanilla and lightly modded.

Is the GPU or CPU more important for Fallout 4?

The CPU for the city, the GPU for modded visuals. Balance both with a Ryzen 5 7600 and an RTX 4060 for the smoothest experience.