The Ultimate Fallout 4 Gaming PC Build for Under $800

Written by Branton

Last updated Nov 24, 2020

When Fallout 4’s recommended system specs were released, we were able to put together an awesome build able to max it out, and for a really decent price! It’s not really the most graphically demanding game, but when everything is cranked up to ultra, things sure look great!

Not only is this $800 budget build capable of maxing out Fallout 4, but a lot of other upcoming games like Just Cause 3, or Rainbow 6: Siege, just to name a couple.

falout 4 system requirements large

No Better Time!

If you’re just getting into PC gaming, then there really hasn’t been a better time to do so. The number of games coming out over the next few months is incredible, and the list is filled with some really amazing titles other than just FO4.

Sure, you can get a lot of these same games on whatever console you have, but gaming is just plain better on a PC – and if you really need a controller, your Xbox One controller will work just fine on your new kickass gaming PC.

The Build

*** This build will no longer receive updates, click here for my updated $800 build! ***

  • cooler master n400

    Cooler Master N400

    Supports 320mm graphics cards, lots of cooling potential, front USB 3.0 View

  • gigabyte z97x gaming 5 motherboard

    Gigabyte GA-Z97X-GAMING 5

    LGA 1150, ATX, 2 PCI-E x16 3.0, 2 PCI-E x1 and 2 PCI slots. 2-way SLI Compatible! View

  • i5 6500

    Intel i5 4460

    3.2GHz, 4 cores/4 threads View

  • Asus Strix GTX 960 (4GB)

    4GB GDDR5 VRAM, 1291MHz core-clock, 0db fans, View

  • evga 500b psu

    EVGA 500B

    500W, 85% efficiency, 3-year warranty View

  • kingston hyperx fury 8gb single

    1x Kingston HyperX Fury (8GB)

    1866MHz, DDR3, single stick View

  • wd green 3tb

    Western Digital Green 1TB HDD

    3.5 inch, 7200 RPM, 64MB cache, quiet! View

  • sandisk 240gb ssd

    Sandisk 120GB SSD

    520MB/s read, 180MB/s write, 3-year warranty View

*** This build will no longer receive updates, click here for my updated $800 build! ***

Details.. Details…

This is seriously the ultimate gaming PC build if you’re looking to run Fallout 4 on the highest settings at 60fps – based on Bethesda’s own recommended system specs.

Cooler Master’s N400 case offers up a plethora of cooling options and comes with 3 easily accessible air-filters to keep the dust out. It comes with USB 3.0 superspeed ports in the front, and will support up to 320mm graphics cards – which is pretty damn big.
gigabyte-z97x-gaming-5-motherboard
The Gigabyte Z97x Gaming 5 motherboard we loaded in this build is possibly one of the best gaming motherboards you could get for this kind of setup. It’s both SLI and CrossfireX compatible, so you can easily lock in another Nvidia or AMD graphics card for vastly improved performance! It supports up to 32GB of 3200MHz DDR3 RAM, and comes with more than enough ports for any upgrades you might want to make.

It seems that nVidia put a lot of work into optimizing for Fallout 4, and it shows in the minimum requirement of only a GTX 550ti compared to AMD’s significantly more powerful HD 7870. The recommended specs call for either a GTX 780 or an AMD R9 290x, but they both get completely destroyed by our much newer 4GB Asus Strix GTX 960.
kingston-hyperx-fury-8gb-single
I feel that Bethesda’s recommendation of an i7 4790/FX-9590 is somewhat overkill, and I’m also certain that our pick of the i5 4460 is going to provide ample quad-core processing power. We also loaded up a single high-density 8GB stick of Kingston HyperX Fury RAM, leaving the option open for massive RAM expansion later on!

When it comes to storage, 1TB on an HDD is quite a bit, and the WD Caviar Green HDD offers up great performance at an amazing price. A gaming PC just isn’t a gaming PC without a bit of SSD storage, so we loaded up Sandisk’s 120GB model to accomodate your operating system and of course, Fallout 4.

Operating System

windows 10 homeConsidering the fact that Bethesda has made no mention of Linux compatibility for Fallout 4, your best bet would be to pick up a copy of Windows 7/8.. or 10 if you really feel the need. That’s not to say that FO4 won’t work on Linux, but if you want to guarantee compatability then you’re going to have to go with some kind of 64-bit Windows OS.

Another option, which is actually a really good deal, is to grab this bundle from Amazon that gives you a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium & a 1TB WD Green HDD for around $140!

Extras!

If this is the absolute first gaming PC you’ve ever owned, then chances are high that you don’t have a very good keyboard + mouse combo, or that your monitor is sub-par to really enjoy your experience.

If that’s the scenario you’re in, here are some awesome budget-minded suggestions to help you get what you need.

redragon karura

Redragon Karura

Great membrane keyboard for a great price. Comparable to a Razer DeathStalker! Read More!

redragon mammoth

Redragon Mammoth

The M801 Mammoth gives you top-level performance for a mid-level budget. Read More!

hyperx cloud 2 best gaming headset under 100

Kingston HyperX Cloud 2

The HyperX Cloud 2 headset is easily the best gaming headset for under $100 and it’s not going to let you down! Read More!

asus vs238h

ASUS VS238H-P

An amazing 23 inch gaming monitor from ASUS! 2ms report rate, 50,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Read More!

Conclusion

If you came here looking for the ultimate Fallout 4 gaming PC build for less than $800, then this is it. This build will be able to max FO4 out in 1920×1080 while maintaining 60FPS – without a doubt. Not only will it dominate in Fallout 4, but anything that is currently out, or is going to be coming out in the next few months won’t pose this kickass $800 build any problems.

When it comes down to it, PC gaming isn’t going anywhere and game developers realize this. More and more AAA titles from console developers are being ported (sometimes poorly) over to PC, where you can generally experience both better graphics and a higher level of customization with modding, etc.

I hope this build helped you out, and if it did (or even if it didn’t!) leave us a comment below! Everyone’s input matters and we love hearing your comments!

*** This build will no longer receive updates, click here for my updated $800 build! ***

0 0 votes
Article Rating

25 Comments
guest
25 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
SlySnake
SlySnake
June 18, 2018 6:03 pm

Possibly a stupid question considering Fallout 4 is from 2015, but will your $1200 build run Fallout 4 the same way this one does or better?
Thanks

Brett
Brett
November 21, 2016 7:38 pm

Hello, I’ve posted here a good few times and have loved the computer and I was wanting to do an update. I wanted to put in a beefier cooling system in the computer and wondered if you had any that you suggested for this build. I was wondering if this one would work out https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Extreme-Performance-Liquid-Cooler/dp/B019EXSSBG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=websitepcga00-20&linkId=e6996641def91f519ebd41fd27fd83f1&language=en_US. I’m mostly worried that it is too close to the ram to fit and wondered if you had previous experiences with this one or any other cooler that works well. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Brett
Brett
November 22, 2016 11:41 am
Reply to  Branton

Thanks for the options! And I figured it was overkill but I wasn’t to sure. But thank you immensely for the other options, I will be looking into them.

Hegalian
Hegalian
December 16, 2015 2:24 am

How will this pc perform in other games that are coming out soon, or have just come out? like rainbow six, just cause 3, and games like that?

JT
JT
December 15, 2015 7:02 am

Really appreciate the ease with which a “newbie” can follow your recommendations. Thank you.

I do not have any OS disks to use for this system. What is the least expensive OS “approach” that you recommend that I can get from Amazon? Which version of Windows do you recommend? Other than the OS, is there any other software needed to get this system up and running?

Thank you

Ell
Ell
November 19, 2015 3:25 pm

The power supply has become a Prime members only item. Is there a good replacement?

Brett
Brett
November 18, 2015 10:00 am

I have a question about the case. In the 800 dollar build someone asked the same question and you responded with that it had 2 fan pre-installed into the case. Do we need to buy separate fans for the case or does it come with some that we be proficient enough?

Brett
Brett
November 18, 2015 10:17 am
Reply to  Brett

Also what CD/DVD drive do you suggest? Still the samsung one?

Brett
Brett
November 18, 2015 10:31 am
Reply to  Branton

Thanks again for the speedy responses 😀

Brett
Brett
November 18, 2015 12:29 am

Thank you a lot for the help that you have provided to me. I am honestly really excited to do this. I was afraid that I was going to have to drop a lot of money on a new computer to play Fallout 4 because I prefer PC gaming, but this has made it loads cheaper and I love the idea of building this computer and making it even better in the future. Again thanks a bunch for the help.

Related Articles

Corsair 5000D Airflow: The Ultimate Mid-Tower Case for PC Enthusiasts

Corsair 5000D Airflow: The Ultimate Mid-Tower Case for PC Enthusiasts

(Image credit: Corsair)The Corsair 5000D Airflow is a cutting-edge mid-tower case designed to meet the demands of PC enthusiasts. With its exceptional airflow, spacious interior, and sleek design, it offers a premium experience for builders looking to create a...

The Ultimate Dual Monitor Setup Guide

The Ultimate Dual Monitor Setup Guide

Are you looking to enhance your gaming experience? Setting up dual monitors can take your gaming to the next level. With two displays, you'll have more visual area, allowing for better strategic planning and smoother gameplay broadcasting. Dual monitors also provide a...

The Razer Viper Ultimate – A Wireless Gaming Marvel

The Razer Viper Ultimate – A Wireless Gaming Marvel

Are you sick and weary of having wired gaming mice limit you? Do you long for the flexibility and accuracy that wireless technology provides? The Razer Viper Ultimate is the mouse you need. With the help of this wireless gaming mouse, you'll have the unfair advantage...