I want to try a Fallout game on the PC, should I get 3 or New Vegas?

Fallout 3. Capital Wasteland >>> Boring-arse desert. Gameplay isn't that different, especially given their ages at this point, and FO3 has some amazing mods to update it as well. It's an entirely more atmospheric, fascinating world to explore.

To this day, my memories of originally playing through Fallout 3 are so vivid that it almost feels like the Capital Wasteland is a real place that I went and visited.

I put such an emphasis on atmosphere because, let's face it, neither game is going to pull you in because of a strong plot, well-developed characters, or amazing game play. That's the downside to open-world games. With that said, I do prefer the story, characters, and quests in FO3 to New Vegas as well.

Play through Fallout 3 first. If you have fun, play New Vegas later

They're both great games. I prefer Fallout 3 but one thing I do like about New Vegas is there are no underground tunnels you have to go through to access certain areas of the map.

FO3 was a very memorable game, awesome setting and gameplay. Have had NV on backlog and just started it yesterday, with mods and everything it definitely holds up, it looks great. NV has some new features that FO3 didnt have like weapon mods and companions.

TL/DR: Both are great