Fallout 3: ENB Guide
The final step in modding FO3 involves installing ENBoost, a memory and performance optimizer and — if you have the computing power to support it — an ENB preset to dramatically improve game visuals at the average cost of 10 to 20 FPS. You should have system specs similar to those recommended in the Hardware section, although manual adjustments can be made to the preset to improve performance while retaining some of the better visuals effects.
If you plan on using an ENB preset, skip the following step as ENBoost is packaged with the preset.
Installing ENBoost
If you do not want to use an ENB preset to enhance your visuals or your PC is old and decrepit, you'll still want to install the core ENBoost for its improved memory management. It should help reduce memory-related CTDs, stutters and lag in game.
Installing an ENB Preset
For this guide I will be installing Realism ENB, a popular preset that provides a dramatic, color-saturated overhaul of the game's default visuals. There are other presets available on Nexus that cater to specific tastes and you can even create your own but this guide will stick to this one example to get you started. The process of installing other presets will be similar however. Just make sure you follow any instructions provided by the preset author as some presets require specific ENBoost files that must be downloaded separately.
The preset should now work when you load the game. You'll know by the notices that will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the screen as the game loads.
Once installed, you may want to change basic effects options of the preset to cater to performance needs or personal taste. In your main FO3 folder open "enbseries.ini." Under "[EFFECT]" you can toggle the presets' main effects on or off. Personally, I always disable sun rays. Some people also dislike depth of field. Ambient occlusion and detailed shadow should remain on as these greatly improve lighting and contrast in the game. However, detailed shadow may need to be disabled on certain presets if you notice odd shadow flickering or lighting of NPCs. This unfortunately is a shortcoming of Bethesda's game engine.
If you plan on using an ENB preset, skip the following step as ENBoost is packaged with the preset.
Installing ENBoost
If you do not want to use an ENB preset to enhance your visuals or your PC is old and decrepit, you'll still want to install the core ENBoost for its improved memory management. It should help reduce memory-related CTDs, stutters and lag in game.
- Download the latest version of ENBoost (must be at least v0.203 or later).
- Open the WrapperVersion folder. Copy "d3d9.dll" and "enbhost.exe" to your main FO3 folder (the one that contains Fallout3.exe).
- Download the ENBoost file from Nexus. This contains a number of custom enblocal.ini files tailored to either 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating systems and to specific video card manufacturers with select video memory allocation. Choose the enblocal.ini file that matches your system and paste it into your main FO3 folder, overwriting any existing file.
- You've now installed ENBoost without the visuals effects.
Installing an ENB Preset
For this guide I will be installing Realism ENB, a popular preset that provides a dramatic, color-saturated overhaul of the game's default visuals. There are other presets available on Nexus that cater to specific tastes and you can even create your own but this guide will stick to this one example to get you started. The process of installing other presets will be similar however. Just make sure you follow any instructions provided by the preset author as some presets require specific ENBoost files that must be downloaded separately.
- Download Realism ENB. In addition to the main file, also download the optional "Realism ENB Improved DOF" file.
- Copy the contents of the "FO3 Main Directory" folder to your main FO3 folder (the one that contains Fallout3.exe).
- From the "Realism ENB Improved DOF" download, copy "enbeffectprepass.fx" to your main FO3 folder, overwriting any existing file.
- Download the latest version of ENBoost (must be at least v0.237 or later). Open the WrapperVersion folder. Copy "d3d9.dll" to your main FO3 folder, overwriting any existing file.
The preset should now work when you load the game. You'll know by the notices that will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the screen as the game loads.
Once installed, you may want to change basic effects options of the preset to cater to performance needs or personal taste. In your main FO3 folder open "enbseries.ini." Under "[EFFECT]" you can toggle the presets' main effects on or off. Personally, I always disable sun rays. Some people also dislike depth of field. Ambient occlusion and detailed shadow should remain on as these greatly improve lighting and contrast in the game. However, detailed shadow may need to be disabled on certain presets if you notice odd shadow flickering or lighting of NPCs. This unfortunately is a shortcoming of Bethesda's game engine.