Must Have Utilities

NVSE :: You need this!
http://nvse.silverlock.org/

FOMM :: Fallout Mod Manager
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36901

NV Configator :: access to many ini options via a clean interface
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40442



Fixes

Caravan Card Fix :: updated for Dead Money
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41210

Community Bugfix Patch :: updated for Honest Hearts DLC
http://www.ravenmodding.terminal47.net/?p=768



Convenience

Faster VATS :: who would want to play NV without this?
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38104

Faster Pipboy :: or this?
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35225

Better Binoculars :: makes the binoculars worth using (ini edit required)
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34715

Brighter Pipboy Light :: contains 1.5x and 2x options
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34776

Skeleton Key :: because kicking down doors isn't an option
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34801

Better map markers :: adds map markers for strip and freeside
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37832

Easy Unlocking, Hacking, Pick Pocket :: you're only cheating yourself
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34829

Perk Every Level :: woo!
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34707

Rechargeable Stealth Boy :: allows you to recharge your SB on workbenches
http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35975



Environment Textures, Tweaks, Overhauls

Poco Bueno Texture pack :: comprehensive texture replacement (I enjoy the optional heavy road damage as well)
http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=42028

Operation Fixed Terrain :: speaks for itself, really
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41094

An Open World :: removes invisible walls
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39130

Clean Up New Vegas :: nifty mod, read its description and decide for yourself
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35719

Populated Casino :: yay, people!
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35369

Electro City :: new lights and fixtures for NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37908

Nevada Skies :: more, diverse weather (lots of optional downloads, check them out)
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35998

Fellout :: removes the orange tint from NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34888



Additional Content


Goodsprings Home :: a fallout shelter of your very own
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35832

New Vegas Bounties I :: must have additional quest series for NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37310

New Vegas Bounties II :: and its sequel
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41184

New Bison Steve Hotel and Lucky Casino :: rebuild the BSH with this quest mod
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40433

Underground Hideout :: oh yes
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37884



Equipment

CaliberX :: numerous ammunition tweaks, both visual and technical
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39981

Weapon Retexture Project :: I like the look of these, personally
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38285



Character Improvements

Anthony Lings Coiffure :: Hair, Eyes, Lashes for NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35352 (esm, read readme!)
http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8942 (REQUIRED data files)

Authentic Burned Man (HH Required) :: makes Joshua more faithful to his art
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41974

Familiar Faces :: some fun presets if you hate the default presets
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38512



Companions

EVE-900 :: new companion, underground lab and weapons
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40101

Willow :: adds a fully voiced companion to the wasteland
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41779



Interface

Darn UI :: this hasn't been updated in months and months
http://forums.bethsoft.com/index.php?/topic/1143482-wipzbeta-darnified-ui-nv/

OR

The following three mods can be used together, just read the notes in the Revelation description for proper install

MTUI 1.0 :: essential UI adjustments
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34902

PipWare UI New Vegas Edition 1.2c :: fixes some pipboy annoyances
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34913

Revelation :: interface skin based on FO tactics (love this look, personally)
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34971

Unified HUD Project :: edits xml so you don't have to
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38961

Gameplay

Project Nevada :: several mods but I only install the Core
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40040



Graphics Tweaks

FNV Enhanced Shaders :: spruce up the look of NV (I use the "lite" edition for compatibility with other mods)
http://newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34868

Imaginator :: control several graphic options from within the pipboy
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39619

Dynavision :: dynamic DOF and auto-focus
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40077

Cinematech :: configurable film grain, grit, damage, dirt
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39947



Music

Extended New Vegas Radio Generator :: makes adding music to your pipboy a breeze
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36835

More where that came from :: period music for NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35984

1950s Rad Pack Edition :: even more music for NV
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34681



Performance

New Vegas Stutter Remover :: does what it says
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=34832

Purge Cell Buffers :: stabilizes NV for long play sessions
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36805

FNV 4GB :: allows NV to use the entire 4GB VM Address Space
http://nvse.silverlock.org/beta/fnv4gb_nvse.zip (to get this to load in FOMM: go to Settings -> Fallout: New Vegas -> under Custom Launch Command put the path to your fnv4gb.exe)


Miscellany

Really OTS :: over the shoulder camera tweak
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38482

Generic Clothing Color Variations :: adds some variety to the desert
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=39735

Armor Replacer Child NPC Fix :: ensures children always wear appropriate clothing
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36175

Improved Glasses :: more glasses and sunglasses
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38076

100 Outfits Recolor with Field Jackets :: more variety and NPCs change clothes occasionally
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36485

Project Hair and Hats :: you're no longer bald while wearing a hat! (this doesn't look so hot with big hair)
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=42208



Optional

In lieu of Lings Coiffures, you may want to try:

Beauty Pack PLUS :: adds tons of new hair styles (optional companions tweaks)
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35878

BP Wasteland Overhaul :: takes Beauty Pack hair and adds it to wasteland denizens
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36327



Experimental

NV Game Stabilizer :: hit or miss, may help if you're crashing a lot
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41745



And last but not least, one must mention:

A World of Pain :: adds tons of new locations, enemies and loot
http://www.newvegasnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38719

The problem is that it hard locks my New Vegas every 15-20 minutes, regardless of whether I'm in combat or not. I spent a few hours narrowing it down to this mod and it will freeze me even if it's the only active mod. YMMV. Many, many people have installed AWOP without issue but it makes my game unplayable so it's listed way down here.


====================================================================


My install went something like this:

1.) Install NVSE + FOMM + Fixes

2.) All of the convenience stuff that I wanted

3.) Poco Bueno + optional Heavy Damage

4.) Operation Fixed Terrain + HH edition, editing load order as specified in the latters readme

5.) An Open World, Clean Up New Vegas, Populated Casino

6.) Electro City + Smaller signs (read the readme files!)

7.) Nevada Skies Data + Nevada Skies URWLified for Honest Hearts

8.) Fellout (for this not to conflict with Nevada Skies, disable Nevada skies weather conditions via Apparel -> Hygrograph in your pipboy and place it directly after NS at bottom of load order)

9.) Goodsprings Home, NV Bounties I (disable II until after completing I), New Bison Steve Hotel, Underground Hideout

10.) CaliberX (readme has load order advice), Weapon Retexture Project

11.) Lings Coiffure + Headgear fix, Authentic Burned Man, Familiar Faces

ATTENTION - To prevent crashes with custom eyes, pick a stock hairstyle first, choose your custom eyes, THEN pick a custom hairstyle. (this PSA brought to you by Lings)

12.) EVE-900, Willow (author recommends loading just above NV Skies and Fellout)

13.) MTUI (delete data/menus/loading_menu.xml + /data/menus/main/map_menu.xml), PipWare UI (overwrite), Revelation + fix (overwrite)

14.) Project Nevada (I only installed Core, the cyber implant option will conflict with MTUI/Revelation)

15.) Enhanced Shaders Lite

16.) Imaginator, Cinematech, Dynavision (read this lasts readme and tweak load order)

17.) Run the Unified HUD Project fomod, it should detect Project Vegas and Cinematech for you. Install and overwrite.


Load up the game, make sure everything is working correctly, or at the very least make sure the game doesn't crash/hard lock.

To tweak mods like Imaginator, Cinematech, Dynavision or Nevada Skies, go to your Items -> Apparel subsection in the pipboy.

Select the Hygrograph and then leave the pipboy to access Nevada Skies settings. You'll need to disable all weather conditions as noted above.

Imaginator, Cinematech, Dynavision will require a bit of tweaking for your personal taste. They each include presets and their respective web pages provide some suggestions. I ended up disabling Dynavision, dropped saturation a few notches in Imaginator and then applied a light film grain in Cinematech.

For an idea how these impact visuals, here are before/after screenshots with Cinematech and Imaginator:

Before: http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1779/falloutnv20110701082546.jpg

After: http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/333/falloutnv20110701085315.jpg


18.) Download track packs or pull music from your own music collection and install Extended NV Radio Generator. When in doubt, read the readme!

19.) Stutter remover, Purge Cell Buffers

20.) FNV4GB takes some non-obvious tweaking. Install it in your main NV folder (it works from anywhere but I like it here) and then load up FOMM. Go to Settings, click the Fallout: New Vegas tab and under Custom Launch Command enter the full path to your fnv4gb.exe (yes, including the HD letter).

21.) Everything under miscellany is up to you.

22.) Within FOMM, I used the BOSS Auto-Sort and it appears to have done okay by me. I manually placed Fellout after Nevada Skies per the recommendation above.