If you want to be a part of the VR revolution but don’t have the necessary hardware, this blog will help you build your own VR computer.
As the top VR headsets and innovative technology become more affordable and accessible, many want to explore this new realm of interactive entertainment.
However, virtual reality is still very expensive and complex, including learning to set up your room for VR and other hardware requirements. Specifically, to experience the best virtual reality, you will need a powerful PC to support your headset and the games you want to play.
We’ll skip those formalities and make it easy for you to enter virtual reality with this blog. It will help you determine if crafting a PC specifically for VR is worthwhile and what kind of setup you’ll need for the games you want.
Buying Vs Building A VR PC
You can make your own VR build PC, buy one from any reputable PC brand or get custom PC building services if you want a new one.
Most of the tips in this post are helpful for those who want to construct a PC specifically for virtual reality, although they can all be helpful to those who just want to buy a PC.
Entry-level VR Vs. High-End VR
These days, manufacturers of VR tools are creating headsets that don’t need a PC to function. Check out the Oculus Quest line if you’re a gamer looking to experience virtual reality without dealing with the problem of building a PC. These are budget-friendly wireless headphones that don’t require cords, allowing you to play Beat Saber and Pistol Whip—two of the best virtual reality games—from anywhere.
The best part is that if you already have a gaming PC and a good internet connection, you can use them to stream top-tier VR games from your desktop. If your internet isn’t fast enough, you can use an Oculus Link connection to link your Quest to a gaming PC to increase power and play more demanding games.
How To Build A PC For VR: Specs
Keeping all that in mind, it’s time to consider the gaming PC features that will work best with your virtual reality setup.
Headset
When making a PC for virtual reality, you should start by looking at the system requirements for the headset you want to buy. Most headsets have system requirements listed on their shop page, which you can learn while planning to assemble a VR-ready PC.
Even if your computer satisfies the headset’s requirements, you still need to consider the specifications of each game you choose to play.
A Graphics Card
Any VR-capable gaming PC would not be complete without a good graphics card. Choosing a powerful graphics card is crucial. Most VR games suggest an NVIDIA GTX 1070 graphics card.
Gamers normally want a frame rate of 60 frames per second for their PC games for smooth and enjoyable gameplay. It shows that the maximum number of pictures your PC can produce in a second is 60; if it drops below that, you will see jerky graphics.
90 frames per second is the best of virtual reality. These high-resolution screens near your face will increase any delay and roughness in movement. Remember that the action in virtual reality must be rendered twice, once for each eye.
Processor (CPU)
The central processing unit, or CPU, is the brains of your gaming setup. Although the graphics card will do most of the work in virtual reality, you’ll still need a powerful CPU. The Core i5-4590 from Intel is the starting point for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive recommendations. It is a good mid-range processor which is highly capable.
Whereas, most VR games suggest an Intel Core i7 processor. It also has some limitations. You’ll need a new motherboard to accommodate it because it uses a different socket type.
Memory (RAM)
RAM is reasonably priced, and the more RAM you have, the more tasks your computer can perform at once before becoming unresponsive. A minimum of 8GB of DDR3 is what you’ll need. Most VR games suggest that you should have 16 GB RAM for building a PC for VR.
Power Supply
The hidden hero of most PC setups is the power supply, so investing in a good one will save you from trouble later on. There is a large range of wattages available for power supplies, so you will need to choose the one that will supply enough power for your chosen components.
Tips For Building A VR-Ready PC
There are several important factors to consider while creating a VR PC to maximize the benefits of having that fancy new pair of displays that you can press against your forehead.
Don’t Skimp On The GPU
Although a GTX 970 should be more than sufficient hardware for today’s VR headsets, it’s still a good idea to invest in something a little more powerful to ensure that your PC will be up to par when it comes.
Keep it Cool
While virtual reality headsets may seem like the trendiest thing, they impose much stress on even high-end equipment. Therefore, even if you don’t intend to overclock your system, you should think about spending money on a few premium fans and a CPU cooler.
Build With Long Term Upgrades In Mind
The ease of future upgrades is a crucial factor to consider with any project. Your PC will eventually require an engine update as gaming and virtual reality rapidly advance to higher processing intensity levels. You should also consider investing early in a high-quality motherboard and PSU to prevent and rebuild a complete PC.
Ensure your motherboard has enough room and PCI Express 3.0 slots to install a second graphics card later on or ensure you are completely safe from potential bottlenecks by a subpar CPU socket. Furthermore, checking whether your motherboard supports one or more Thunderbolt 3 ports is a good idea.
Conclusion
There you have it all! We hope this guide on building a VR PC will help you to enjoy all your favorite video games to the fullest. Although making a gaming PC, especially for virtual reality, is not very difficult, you can also get professional VR computer-building services from the pros at Computer Builders Anonymous. It’s time to upgrade your PC game.
FAQs
What do I need to build a VR gaming PC?
A strong CPU, a graphics card with excellent performance capabilities, enough RAM, and fast storage (SSD) to allow rapid data transmission rates are required for a VR-ready PC. A suitable VR headset and controller should also be attached to the PC.
Does VR require a high-end PC?
It needs exceptionally high-performance computer hardware for desktop-based virtual reality to provide the frame rates needed for the best experience.
Is VR more GPU or CPU-intensive?
As virtual reality workloads are distributed, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance between CPU and GPU. Normally, GPU receives more attention.