A new world of accessible virtual reality (VR) gaming has nearly arrived for the eager consumers who have followed the Oculus Rift since the VR headset's launch on Kickstarter in 2012. The device is finally available for pre-order on Oculus VR's site for $599, with first shipments going out on March 28. But before you dive in, you need to consider your PC's specs.
Virtual reality gaming is very demanding, so a powerful PC is required to run titles smoothly on the Rift. Pushing high-quality graphics to the two high-resolution displays sitting inches from your eyes is strenuous, and the average computer won't be able to keep up. This is one of the biggest barriers to mainstream success for the Rift, as it potentially adds the purchase of a pricey gaming PC to the already-expensive headset. Many enthusiasts view VR as the way forward for gaming, though, so it's up to you to decide if the one-of-a-kind experience is worth the price of admission.
Oculus has provided a list of required specs which tells you exactly what you need to at least clear the floor for running games. Your graphics card will be the key factor, but your processor, memory, and inputs play important roles as well. Below are the recommendations from Oculus:
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970/AMD Radeon R9 290 equivalent or greater
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 equivalent or greater
- Memory: 8GB or more RAM
- Output: compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
- Input: two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port
- Operating System: Windows 7 SP1 64-bit or newer (Oculus is not compatible with Mac OS X or Linux at launch.)
Still not sure if your system makes the grade? Oculus offers a free downloadable program that quickly scans your computer and tells you whether each component passes or fails. It's a very straightforward way to figure out whether or not your current rig is ready, plus the program is small and takes only few seconds to gauge your hardware.
If you come up short, but are prepared to spend as needed, there are plenty of options out there. Oculus recently unveiled the first Oculus Rift PC bundles—powerful computers that meet the requirements for operating the Rift, with the Oculus Rift VR headset included. They are expensive, starting at $1,499 and reaching up to $3,149, but I suppose that's the price you pay for a revolutionary media experience. To expand your options, we've also compiled a list of the best systems we've reviewed that are more than capable of running the Rift smoothly. Meeting the recommended specs is well and good, but an even more powerful system will provide the best frame rates now and in the future.
PCMag Reviewed PCs (Bring Your Own Oculus Rift Headset)
Falcon Northwest Tiki
$5,327
If a compact system no bigger than a game console is a must for you, without losing the sheer power of a fully loaded gaming PC, the Falcon Northwest Tiki should be your first choice. With an octo-core processor and a Titan X graphics card, this machine is capable of buttery smooth VR gaming.
Origin Chronos (X99)
$4,420
The Origin Chronos (X99) is a slightly larger take on the small-form-factor (SFF) gaming desktop. It has the power to drive gaming on 4K displays, which should translate well to the demanding needs of the Rift.
Cyberpower Trinity Xtreme
$2,139.45
Boasting a unique three-chamber design, the Cyberpower Trinity Xtreme gaming desktop has the chops to power exciting new VR environments, but make sure you have a lot of space for it.
Origin Millennium
$7,399
With its three Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 graphics cards and an overclocked octo-core processor, the Origins Millennium gaming desktop outperforms systems that cost thousands more. It's pricey, but this rig will easily handle VR gaming, and then some.
Falcon Northwest Mach V (GTX 980)
$8,039
The Falcon Northwest Mach V (GTX 980) brings lightning-fast hardware, solid build quality, and top-notch performance to the desktop gaming grid, capable of crushing VR games on the Rift.
Origin Chronos Pro
$9,620
With an 18-core Intel Xeon processor and high-end Nvidia Quadro M5000 graphics, all stuffed into a compact case, the Origin Chronos Pro workstation is more than equipped to handle just about anything you can throw at it, including VR games.
Falcon Northwest Tiki Workstation
$9,429
With a powerful 18-core Intel Xeon processor and high-end Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan X graphics, the Falcon Northwest Tiki Workstation is a monster workhorse PC packed into a case the size of a game console. It's very expensive, but if you have the budget, there won't be a VR game it can't handle.
Oculus Rift Bundle PCs (Include the Oculus Rift Headset)
Asus G11CD-B11 Desktop Package
$1,499
This system sticks close to the exact recommended Oculus specs, offering an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU, Intel Core i5-6400 processor, and 8GB of memory. If you're not looking to break the bank on a VR-capable machine, this gets you in the door. A backlit gaming keyboard and a mouse are included.
Asus G11CD-B11 Desktop & ASUS 19.5-inch LED Monitor Package
$1,549.97
This system is the same as the one above, but adds an HD gaming monitor. Odds are good that if you need a desktop, you need a shiny new display as well. The screens on the Rift itself might be your main concern, but a nice 19-inch HD+ monitor with speakers certainly doesn't hurt.
Asus G20CB-B13 Desktop Package
$1,949.98
A bump in price gets you a solid-state drive (SSD), 16GB of memory, and a distinct chassis with lighting effects to go with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 and Intel Core i5 CPU. The 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) is smaller than the 1TB standard hard drive on the other Asus system, but you'll appreciate the extra speed when using the Oculus Rift.
Asus G20CB-B15 Desktop Package
$2,199.98
In the same case as the Asus G20CB-B13, the G20CB-B15 has the same Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 graphics card and 16GB of memory, but adds a 1TB hard drive to the 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) and upgrades the Intel Core i5-6400 CPU to an Intel Core i5-6700. This is a well-rounded build with some extras that help future-proof your system.
Alienware X51-Series Desktop Package
$1,599.98
Alienware's least-expensive Oculus bundle PC is nearly identical to the Asus G11CD-B11 in terms of hardware, offering an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 GPU, 8GB of memory, and an Intel Core i5-6400 processor. The company's gaming focus, and the system's cool form factor might be what pulls you in.
Alienware X51-Series Desktop Package
$1,999.98
A more powerful configuration of the above model, this unit ups the price and packs in 16GB of memory, a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970. This unit will be faster with the SSD and more RAM, but it's also more expensive.
Alienware Area 51 Series Desktop Package
$3,149.98
The unique chassis of this system hosts powerful hardware. Inside is a fifth-generation Intel Core i7-5820K CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 GPU, and 16GB of memory, which are more than enough to play VR games with a very smooth frame rate. There's also plenty of storage, with a 2TB hard drive and a 128GB solid-state drive.
Dell X8900-Series Desktop Package
$1,599.98
Sharing the same specs as the least-expensive Asus and Alienware systems among the Oculus PC bundles, this Dell desktop meets the recommended Rift setup for smooth gaming in a nice, standard-looking case.