Is my PC VR ready?
Three parts, five headsets. Choose what is in your PC and see which headsets it can keep at full refresh rate, which it can only just manage, and which part holds it back on the rest.
| Headset | Resolution | Refresh | Verdict |
|---|
What each headset needs
The parts named are our estimate of what holds each headset at full refresh; anything scoring at least as high on our index passes.
| Headset | Pixels per eye | Top refresh | Graphics card, about | Processor, about | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3 (Link) | 2064 × 2208 | 120 Hz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 8 GB |
| Valve Index | 1440 × 1600 | 144 Hz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 8 GB |
| HTC Vive Pro 2 | 2448 × 2448 | 120 Hz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | 16 GB |
| Varjo Aero | 2880 × 2720 | 90 Hz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | 16 GB |
| Pimax Crystal | 2880 × 2880 | 120 Hz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 | 16 GB |
VR questions
What makes a PC "VR ready"?
Keeping the headset at its full refresh rate without missing frames. A headset draws a separate image for each eye, many times a second, and a missed frame is felt as judder or discomfort — so the bar is higher than for a monitor.
How were the headset thresholds set?
Each headset is matched to a graphics card and processor we judge able to hold its full refresh rate, based on its per-eye resolution; your parts pass if they score at least as high on our index. Headset makers publish only loose minimums, so treat this as a guide.
Does the processor matter for VR?
More than on a monitor. Tracking, reprojection and the VR runtime all run alongside the game, and a busy processor shows up as stutter even when the graphics card has room left.
Can a gaming laptop run PC VR?
Yes, provided its graphics chip clears the threshold and it has a video output the headset can use. Laptop chips usually trail the desktop card with the same name, so allow a margin.