VR Requirements for PC

Some headsets have taken things a step further with the ability to track your eye movement. Every advancement in VR makes virtual worlds a little more immersive, allowing you to have a better experience overall. 

Regardless, for the best experience, you will need to invest in both a good headset and a good PC.

But before you jump in to buy a VR headset, it’s important to check first if your PC can handle it. I mean, you won’t be able to enjoy the experience if your PC’s hardware can’t keep up, right? In this post, we’ve compiled an easy-to-follow guide on the VR hardware requirements for PCs. So whether you’re on a budget looking to run a VR app on minimum system requirements or want to get the best build to achieve the smoothest experience possible, we’ve got the deets for you. Let’s dive in.

What You Need for VR

As technology has progressed, so has VR. The tracking of your head or body’s movement can translate to specific outcomes within the virtual world. For that reason, it is important to have a device with low latency so that your actions and reactions are transmuted immediately. 

The device also needs a high frame rate (generally a minimum of 60 FPS, but 90 or above is recommended) so that the virtual world remains real. Frequent skipping or chopping would ruin the illusion and the experience altogether.

As such, there are three important components to look for when checking, building, or buying a PC: GPU, CPU, and RAM. While it’s true that other vital PC components like the motherboard, power supply, and storage should also be taken into consideration, those three should be the first things you think about to setting up a VR-ready PC.

1. GPU

   Your GPU or graphics card is arguably the most important component as it will do most of the heavy work to make sure your gaming experience stays smooth and believable. Graphics is crucial to make the VR experience as immersive and realistic as possible. For that to happen, you need a good graphics card that will allow your PC to achieve higher frame rates. The more lag you experience, the less enjoyable the game will be.

   GPU can be quite expensive, and the better quality it has, the pricier it gets. If you’re on a budget, you may still be able to get away with a slightly more affordable, mid-range graphics card, but even that can cost you a few hundred bucks minimum.

2. CPU

   Your CPU is responsible for making sure VR apps and games work smoothly and consistently. While VR systems will likely depend on your GPU, having a good processor will go a long way. Bottlenecking could highly occur with VR gaming, so it’s always a sensible idea to have both your GPU and CPU up to the task.

   Many VR headset manufacturers recommend getting quad-core processors for better performance.

3. RAM

   RAM is important especially if you play a variety of games with high memory usage or use different apps at the same time. Higher RAM will help speed up obtaining data, thus resulting in a much better VR gaming experience.

   Generally, 8 GB RAM is enough for virtual reality gaming, but if you are planning to edit videos and stream on the side, you may need more memory for that: from 16 GB to 32 GB.

   Other things you need to consider are:

   • Motherboard. Try to find one that is compatible with the rest of the components and peripherals.
   • Storage. While not as important as RAM, having adequate storage may make your gaming more seamless. Most people would recommend getting at least 1 TB SSD.
   • PSU. VR games eat up a lot of power, so having a good PSU would make you worry less and play more.
   • Case – Depending on the VR headset or stock
   • Cooler – Depending on the VR headset or stock
   • Operating System – Depending on the VR headset, but for best performance, Windows 10 or Windows 11

Internet Speed and VR

While you will need a decent Internet speed when playing with VR, much of the game has been downloaded prior to you playing it, allowing you to move freely through the virtual world. 

You may need to think about upgrading elements of your PC before your internet plan. Your CPU or graphics card could actually be the cause of any issues in your game. That being said, if everything about your PC is updated, look into getting a 600 Mbps internet plan.

Most Popular VR Headsets for PC

Right now, you can’t possibly immerse yourself in virtual reality games without the help of a good VR headset. Here are some of the best VR headsets designed for the PC:

1. Meta Quest 2

   

   Released in 2020, Meta Quest 2 was previously named Oculus Quest 2 and is still considered by many as one of the best VR headsets. At a relatively lower price than its competitors, Meta Quest 2 has a lot of functionalities. With hand tracking and haptic feedback, the headset also features an 1832×1920 display resolution per eye and 90Hz refresh rates. You can choose between the 128 GB and 256 GB variations.

   However, you might want to wait a little as Meta Quest 3 is set to be released sometime soon. But if you can’t wait to get your hands on a VR headset, Meta Quest 2 is still a solid pick.

2. HTC Vive Cosmos

   

   The HTC Vive proved to be a contender since 2016. It has a 90Hz refresh rate, exquisite tracking, and AMOLED displays. Now that it has been discontinued, the HTC Vive Cosmos is here to contend against the Oculus Rift S. 

   The Cosmos is comfortable to wear and has tracking cameras to make things easier to set up. Its flip visor allows you to instantly leave the virtual world to re-enter the real world. Want to play wireless? The HTC Vive Cosmos also has a wireless upgrade!

3. HTC Vive Pro 2

   

   Another entry from the HTC Vive line, the HTC Vive Pro 2 is the premium choice for those who want to experience the VR world in all its glory. It boasts a 2448 x 2448 pixel display resolution for each eye, with a total of 4896 x 2448 pixels. With an up to 120Hz refresh rate, you won’t need to worry about jarring images and jumpy scenes. It also has a wild field of view at 120°, making the experience more seamless and realistic.

   The set also includes 2 SteamVR™ Tracking base stations, 2 controllers, adapters, and cables.

4. Valve Index

   

   For hardcore gamers who want to fully experience being immersed in the world of their favorite games, Valve Index VR is probably the headset you’re looking for. While it has more or less the same features and inclusions as its market competitors, what sets Valve Index apart are these three things: its impressive set of controllers, outstanding refresh rates, and wide field of view. At a staggering 130° FOV, it’s one of the most expansive VR headsets at the moment. Valve Index can also achieve up to 144Hz refresh rates, whereas its competitors only hover between 90Hz to 120Hz max.

   Those who tried Valve Index love how the controllers feel in their hands due to its ability to track each finger, making the in-game world exploration seem real.

5. HP Reverb G2

   

   Wearing a VR headset can sometimes become uncomfortable after a period of time, so if you’re looking for one that balances wearability and functionality, look no further than HP Reverb G2. While the controllers aren’t as ergonomically designed as the others, HP Reverb G2 makes it up for crisp graphics and comfortable fit, thanks to the generous cushioning in the headset.

   HP Reverb G2 has a 2160 x 2160 pixel-per-eye display resolution and 114° field of view, perfect for gamers who prioritize visuals above all else.

Which PC VR has the Highest Resolution?

When it comes to display resolution, the HTC Vive Pro 2 takes the cake. With a 2448 x 2448 pixel DP for each eye, (4896 x 2448 pixels combined) it has by far the highest resolution among all the VR headsets on this list.

Virtual Reality PC Requirements

If you want to use a VR headset, you need a PC that meets the requirements of that particular device. Each has a different set of minimum PC requirements, so it’s best to check them first before deciding which headset to get or how to build your PC for VR.

You may need to upgrade parts of your computer to ensure you can play in VR Worlds or purchase a new one. Here are the key figures for each:

Meta Quest 2 Recommended PC Requirements

These are the recommended specs for the Meta Quest 2:

• CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (or better)
• GPU: NVIDIA Titan X, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Desktop, 6GB, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080(all), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 TI, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series (all), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series*, AMD 400 Series, AMD 500 Series, AMD 5000 Series, AMD 6000 Series (except AMD Radeon RX 6500), AMD Vega Series
• RAM: 8GB (or better)
• OS: Windows 10 (or better)
• USB Port: 1x USB port

HTC Vive Cosmos Recommended PC Requirements

These are the recommended specs for the HTC Vive Cosmos:

• CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 (or better)
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 480, NVIDIA GTX 1060 (or better)
• RAM: 8GB (or better)
• OS: Windows 10 or better
• USB Port: 1x USB 3.0 Port
• Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2

HTC Vive Pro 2 Recommended PC Requirements

These are the recommended specs for the HTC Vive Pro 2:

• CPU: Intel i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 equivalent (or better)
• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 equivalent (or better)
• RAM: 8GB (or better)
• OS: Windows 10 (or better)
• USB Port: 1x USB 3.0 (or better)
• Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2 (or better)

Valve Index Recommended PC Requirements

These are the recommended specs for the Valve Index:

• CPU: Quad Core (or better)
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (or better)
• RAM: 8GB (or better)
• OS: Windows 10, SteamOS, Linux
• USB Port: 1 x USB 3.0 (or better)
• Video Output: 1 x DisplayPort 1.2 (or better)

HP Reverb G2 Recommended PC Requirements

These are the recommended specs for the HP Reverb G2:

• CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent (or better)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (or better)
• RAM: 8GB (or better)
• OS: Windows 10 (or better)
• USB Port: 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C port
• Video Output: DisplayPort 1.3 port

Laptop Requirements for VR

If you prefer to use a laptop, you will need to find one that is powerful enough to run your VR system. Here are the minimum requirements for a VR-ready laptop:

• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce FTX 980, 1050 Ti, 1060, 1070 or 1080. (RTX 2060, 2070, or 2080 would be better)
• CPU: Intel Core i5-6300HQ
• RAM: 8GB
• VRAM: 4GB
• Display: 1920×1080
• Two USE 3.0 ports
• HDMI 1.4
• Windows 8/10

Can You Switch VR Systems?

Most PC games created for VR can be used on multiple systems. Accessories and add-ons will be device-specific. As long as you don’t mind re-purchasing accessories as well, you should be able to play most of your games.

Conclusion

Setting up a VR station with your PC and your choice of headset seems to be a daunting task. Understandably, many people are wary of the idea that they may have to spend thousands just to experience VR gaming. However, with the ever-expanding possibilities brought by virtual reality and the metaverse, investing in a good VR system can be worth it. Knowing individual specifications for each VR headset could help you plan what to get or how to upgrade your PC. It’s the best starting point for those who want to step into VR gaming.