Virtual reality games have won over even people who were not very keen on video or PC games. The success of these games can be explained not only by the realistic and fully immersive experience, but because they require players to move about and make things happen just like in a real-life game. Ever since the first virtual reality games have hit the market, a lot of people have purchased VR headsets and tried the experience. Unfortunately, they realized only after investing a lot of money in VR gear that their computers are not powerful enough to support virtual reality. In truth, since virtual reality is a new technology, it requires the latest generation computer models, with sufficient CPU and RAM memory and with an advanced video card. In order to help potential customers make an informed choice, VR headset manufacturers have created a series of free tools to test whether a PC is VR ready. We will show you how they work below:
1. Oculus Rift Compatibility Tool
Start by downloading the tool from here (direct link). You do not have to register or be an Oculus Rift customer to use it. Once you double click on the icon, you will see this screen: 
Author’s test – screenshot After clicking on the Start button, the tool will check your computer and display the result, indicating each component needed to play virtual reality games: 
Author’s test – screenshot All the components must be compatible in order to be able to use Oculus Rift with the respective computer. If most of the components are compatible, you could simply upgrade the ones which do not meet the basic requirements and then repeat the test.
2. HTC VIVE Test Tool
Download the tool from the official HTC VIVE website by clicking here (the tool download window will appear automatically). When you double click on it, you will get this welcome screen: 
Author’s test – screenshot As you can see, this tool already gives you a list of minimum specifications for a VR-ready PC for virtual reality games. If you have an older PC, it is likely that it does not meet these requirements. Once you run the test, you will get the results detailed as follows: 
Author’s test – screenshot The test result also prompts you to try the SteamVR Performance Test. By clicking on the button, you will be taken to the SteamVR Shop.
3. SteamVR Performance Test
The main link for downloading the SteamVR performance test is this one. However, you will have to install the Steam desktop application before you run the test. This application is free and does not require any registration. The SteamVR Performance Test offers its result in a color-coded bar. The bar has three colors: red (not compatible), yellow (capable), and green (VR ready). The test results look like below: Not Compatible 
Source: Steam Capable 
Source: Steam VR Ready 
Source: Steam Although the yellow color result indicates basic compatibility, your PC will only be capable of running basic virtual reality games with simple graphics.
4. Microsoft Mixed Reality PC Check
Microsoft has also created a special application to test if your PC is compatible with the HoloLens headset and with virtual reality games. The application can be downloaded here. 
Author’s test – screenshot However, the website will first check your version of Windows. If your PC does not run on Windows 10, the download link will not be activated and you will get the following message: “This app does not work on your device. May require certain hardware. See System Requirements for details.” If your PC does run on Windows 10, once you run the test, you will get the results as shown below: 
Author’s test – screenshot Windows seems to be the operating system of choice for PC gamers. Of late, the power of the PC and virtual reality gaming has enabled game developers to spring their fantasy worlds to life. As such, it has become essential to make Windows devices ready for Virtual Reality gaming. Fortunately, most devices running the latest version of Windows 10 feature this capability. Some can be made compatible if they lack this feature. In this post, we will first see what a VR ready PC is, and then we will show you how to check if your laptop is VR Ready
What does a VR ready PC mean
Virtual Reality or VR-ready PC means a device that is capable of offering immersive gaming with richly detailed, three-dimensional graphics, comfortable gear and natural movements. This helps in creating a lifelike environment, made possible via powerful processors and lightning-fast graphics cards that render systems breathtaking images and augmented reality. There are some tools like Oculus Rift Compatibility Check Tool, HTC Vive Check Tool and the SteamVR Performance Test Tool that can help you quickly check if your Windows 10 PC is VR ready. Let us take a look at them.
Oculus Rift Compatibility Check Tool
Oculus, an American technology company, recently released a nifty tool that quickly scans your system and lets you know if your system meets the VR headset’s requirements. It performs a thorough checking of your system and gives details if you can tweak to meet or exceed [the recommended] system specifications to make your PC virtual reality compatible. For checking, if your PC meets the minimum or recommended system specifications to power Oculus Rift, download the Oculus Rift Compatibility Check Tool. 
Now, run ‘Rift Compatibility Check’ tool on your PC. 
After running for a while, the compatibility check tool will display results and inform you whether your computer meets or exceeds the recommended system specifications. If your computer meets or exceeds the recommended system specs, you should be able to power the full Rift experience. 
If not, you can expand entries that have a cross marked against to check what you have currently installed, and anything you should do to upgrade. Please note that if your PC fails to meet the minimum system specs, your computer may not be able to run the Rift at all. 
You can download the tool by clicking here. By the way, here are the recommended and minimum system specifications needed to power Oculus Rift. Recommended Specs
| Video Card | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD R9 290 equivalent or greater |
| CPU | Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater |
| Memory | 8GB+ RAM |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output |
| USB Ports | 3x USB 3.0 ports, plus 1x USB 2.0 port |
| OS | Windows 7 SP1 64 bit or newer |
Minimum Specs
| Video Card | NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD Radeon RX 470 or greater |
| CPU | Intel i3-6100 / AMD FX4350 or greater |
| Memory | 8GB+ RAM |
| Video Output | Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output |
| USB Ports | 1x USB 3.0 port, plus 2x USB 2.0 ports |
| OS | Windows 8 or newer |
Kindly Note that certain experiences on the Rift require a computer system exceeding Oculus’s minimum or recommended specs. Read: How to stream Xbox One games to your Windows PC with Oculus Rift.
HTC Vive Check Tool
The tool will scan your system to find if it meets the minimum recommended specifications to run Vive. the whole scan takes very less time (few seconds to some minutes). Once the test is complete, the results are displayed informing a user if his computer can run Vive or not. If your computer doesn’t meet the requirements, it will request you to upgrade to a fully compatible system. 
Click here to download it.
SteamVR Performance Test tool
The tool grades a PC’s VR readiness by displaying three colors
- Red – indicates your PC is not ready or it does not support virtual reality.
- Yellow – Signals your PC is VR Capable and supports virtual reality environment.
- Green signals – Your PC is completely VR Ready.
Apart from these 3 grading systems, HTC Vive tool also gives the average fidelity rating based on a numerical and Low/Medium/High/Very High scale. When you run the test for your PC, the tool reveals the percentage of tested frames that were below the 90 frame per second recommendation. The minimum essential required PC specs to run the HTC Vive headset include:
- 64-bit version of Windows 7
- 2.4 GHz dual-core CPU
Alternatively, if a CPU runs a quad-core processor and clocks the speed around 3.4GHz, then it is almost VR Ready. If the CPU speed exceeds this limit, then the PC fares well. Most of the PC running the latest version of Windows – Windows 11/10 are VR ready. Go get it here. If your PC doesn’t meet the system specifications needed to power VT, you may need to upgrade your computer to make sure it meets the required components.
Learn if your computer can run VR
Updated on December 13, 2021
What to Know
- Use SteamVR Performance Test to check your PC can run VR.
- Check the system requirements of the VR headset you’re purchasing.
- Don’t expect to use a VR headset with your Mac.
This article teaches you how to check if your PC is capable of running VR games and looks at the hardware requirements involved.
How Do You Check If Your PC Is VR Ready?
Before diving into specifics about hardware, there are some simple ways to check if you match VR PC requirements. Here’s a brief overview.
- Check before you buy. If you’re considering buying a PC to run VR on, check the details surrounding your purchase. Many retailers list PCs and laptops as VR-ready as a selling point. This is the simplest way to confirm the fact.
- Use SteamVR Performance Test. SteamVR Performance Test is a simple to use app which checks whether your system is VR-ready and looks at what hardware may be holding you back.
- Use other tools to check. If you’re specifically using the Valve Index, you can also download an app specially designed to test compatibility with this headset. It’s also possible to download the Windows Mixed Reality PC Check to check other requirements.
What Hardware Do I Require to Use My VR Headset?
Different VR headsets have different system requirements. While it’s possible to use VR headsets via the minimum specifications required, this is rarely recommended as performance is often degraded. Here’s a look at the recommended specifications for the most popular VR headsets out there.
With all VR headsets, it’s preferable to have as powerful a PC as possible to use it. These specifications are a guideline but don’t necessarily mean the system will run as quickly as you’d like.
- Oculus Rift S. CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater, NVIDIA GTX 1060 / GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 480 / R9 290 or greater, RAM: 8GB+, Ports: 1x USB 3.0 + 1x DisplayPort (or Mini DisplayPort).
- Valve Index. CPU: Quad Core +, GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or better, RAM: 8GB, Ports: 1x USB 3.0 + 1x DisplayPort.
- Windows MR/Samsung Odyssey+. CPU: Intel Core i5 4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1400, GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 470/570 or greater, RAM: 8GB, Ports: 1x HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort + 1x USB 3.0 port.
- HP Reverb. CPU: Intel Core i7 equivalent or better, GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 equivalent or better, RAM: 16GB, Ports: 1x USB 3.0 + 1x DisplayPort 1.3.
- HTC Vive. CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater, GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon Vega 56 or greater, RAM: 8GB, Ports: 1x USB 3.0 + 1x DisplayPort 1.2.
Can I Use a VR Headset With a Mac?
Currently, only one VR headset supports MacOS officially. That’s the HTC Vive range. To use it requires similar specifications to the PC requirements but it’s generally recommended to add an external GPU to your Mac unless it’s one of the latest models.
If you’re keen to use a VR headset, it’s not recommended to use a Mac to do so due to limited compatibility and limited software options.
FAQ
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- How do I build a VR-ready PC?To build a PC that’s ready for VR, ensure you meet the baseline requirements based on your VR headset for the CPU, memory, graphics, and display output. Other important factors include having the correct number of USB ports and a compatible operating system. You might also want to invest in an SSD for faster performance.
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- How do I know if a graphics card is ready for VR?VR headsets require graphics cards that can maintain 90fps. If you’d like to use what your PC already has, use a graphics card benchmarking tool to make sure it can perform. If you plan to upgrade, refer to the VR headset manufacturer for graphics card recommendations.
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With a growing number of affordable next-gen PC-compatible headsets like Quest 2 and HP Reverb G2, there’s more reason than ever to finally jump into VR. For the gamers out there who are beginning to consider purchasing a PC VR headset, one major question marks the starting point on their journey to a decision: can my PC handle it? Here’s how to find out.
Updated – December 3rd, 2021
VR gaming is much more resource intensive than monitor gaming. In short, that’s because the render resolution is much higher than the 1080p displays used by most PC users today. Not to mention, VR games must also be rendered in 3D and anywhere from 72 to 144 FPS depending on the headset. Before we dive in, you’ll want to know a few things about your computer. First and foremost, PC VR headsets are not supported by MacOS. Next up, you’ll need to know your PC’s specs. Expand the section below if you don’t already know where to find that info.
How to Find Your PC’s Specs
To determine if your PC can handle VR, there’s four core things you’ll need to know:
- Video Card
- CPU
- RAM
- Video Output
GPU
- Press the Start button and type ‘device manager’, select it from the list
- In Device Manager, expand Display Adapters, your video card is listed beneath
CPU & RAM
- Press the Start button and type ‘about your PC’, select it from the list
- In the About window, scroll down to find ‘Processor’ (also known as CPU) and ‘Installed RAM’
Video Output
For this you’ll need to look at the back of your computer and see which ports are available on the back, specifically on your GPU (which is usually lower): 
Image courtesy Alienware The ports can look very similar, so look closely at the shapes of each. Remember that you will need a free port to plug your headset into. 
Image courtesy Alienware Many headset makers provide what they call a ‘recommended’ hardware configuration for virtual reality gaming. This gives VR developers a baseline hardware target so that they can ensure the consistent FPS requirement is met. If your hardware does not meet the recommended specification, you risk dropping under framerate which can result in a choppy and potentially uncomfortable VR experience. The recommended specs provided by each company are relatively similar but there are some key differences worth looking at in detail: Meta 
Image courtesy Oculus
Oculus Rift S Recommended VR Specifications:
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
- CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM or greater
- Video Output: DisplayPort
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port
- OS: Windows 10
Oculus Rift CV1 Recommended VR Specifications:
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
- CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM or greater
- Video Output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
- USB Ports: 3x USB 3.0 ports plus 1x USB 2.0 port
- OS: Windows 10 (Windows 7/8.1 no longer recommended)
Meta Quest & Quest 2 with Oculus Link
Meta Quest & Quest 2 can also play PC VR games via Oculus Link. See this article for the most up to date info on Meta Quest recommended specs and supported graphics cards.
Valve
Image courtesy Valve
Valve Index Recommended VR Specifications:
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD equivalent or greater
- CPU: Quad Core+
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Ports: 1x USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 required for camera passthrough), 1x DisplayPort v1.2
- OS: Windows 10, Steam OS, Linux
Check your PC: You can automatically check that you meet these specifications with the ‘Are you ready for Valve Index’ app on Steam.
HTC
Image courtesy HTC
Vive Cosmos Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon Vega 56 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port
- OS: Windows 10
Vive Cosmos Elite Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon Vega 56 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port
- OS: Windows 10
Vive Pro 2 Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / Quadro P5000 / AMD Radeon Vega 56 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port or newer
- OS: Windows 10
Vive Focus 3 Minimum VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 or greater
- Memory: 8GB RAM or more
- Video Output: HDMI 1.4 / DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Ports: 1x USB 2.0 port
- Wired Streaming: 1x USB Type-C 3.0 cable (5 Gbps)
- Wireless Streaming (routers): Wi-Fi 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 802.11ax (5GHz)
- OS: Windows 10
WMR & HP
Image courtesy HP
General Windows Mixed Reality Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 470/570 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 (may vary based on specific headset)
- USB Port: 1x USB 3.0
- OS: Windows 10 (Note: Not supported on N versions or Windows 10 Pro in S Mode)
- Bluetooth Some headsets require Bluetooth 4.0 for controller connectivity
HP Reverb G1 and G2 Windows Mixed Reality Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1080 / AMD RX 5700 or greater
- CPU: Intel Core i5, i7 / AMD Ryzen 5 or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.3
- USB Port: 1x USB 3.0
- OS: Windows 10 (may require latest updates)
Pimax
Image courtesy Pimax
Pimax 8K X Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card
- Upscale Mode: NVIDIA RTX 2060
- Native Mode: NVIDIA RTX 2080
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Port: USB 2.0 or greater
- OS: Windows 10
Pimax 8K Plus Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA RTX 2060
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Port: USB 2.0 or greater
- OS: Windows 10
Pimax 5K Super Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- USB Port: USB 2.0 or greater
- OS: Windows 10
Pimax 5K Plus Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1070
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.4
- USB Port: USB 2.0 or greater
- OS: Windows 10, Windows 8.1
Pimax Artisan Recommended VR Specifications
- Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti
- CPU: Intel Core i5-9400 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.4
- USB Port: USB 2.0 or greater
- OS: Windows 10, Windows 8.1
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