We took a look at Bethesda Softworks’ announcement and concluded that the hardware needed to run the game more or less smoothly shouldn’t be too shocking, unless your last PC game was released sometimes between Wolfenstein 3D and Doom 2.
Minimum System Requirements:
– Windows XP/Vista
– 2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
– Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 256MB RAM (Nvidia 6800 or better/- Ati X850 or better)
Recommended System Requirements:
– Intel Core 2 Duo processor
– 2 GB System RAM
– Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512MB RAM (Nvidia 8800 series, – Ati 3800 series)
Supported Video Card Chipsets: 
– Nvidia GeForce 200 series
– Nvidia Geforce 9800 series
– Nvidia Geforce 9600 series
– Nvidia Geforce 8800 series
– Nvidia Geforce 8600 series
– Nvidia Geforce 8500 series
– Nvidia Geforce 8400 series
– Nvidia Geforce 7900 series
– Nvidia Geforce 7800 series
– Nvidia Geforce 7600 series
– Nvidia Geforce 7300 series
– Nvidia GeForce 6800 series
– Ati HD 4800 series
– Ati HD 4600 series
– Ati HD 3800 series
– Ati HD 3600 series
– Ati HD 3400 series
– Ati HD 2900 series
– Ati HD 2600 series
– Ati HD 2400 series
– Ati X1900 series
– Ati X1800 series
– Ati X1600 series
– Ati X1300 series
– Ati X850 series
Fallout 3 will be released on October 28 for North America and October 31 for Europe. It has been rated M for Mature (Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs) by the ESRB.