Virtual reality is finally starting to hit its stride, thanks to a combination of advancements by the popular Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR headsets and computer hardware.
A couple of years back buying a computer capable of VR was prohibitively expensive. But now, thanks to affordable computers with enough horsepower to drive current VR headsets, the cost is no longer a glaring limitation.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best VR desktop computers you can buy today.
What Makes a Good VR PC
The minimum requirement for VR display output is 90 frames per second on a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels.
That 90 frames per second element is crucial as any lesser, and the user will experience extreme amounts of tearing and lag, both which contribute to a feeling of nausea and unsavoury VR experience.
Achieving 90FPS at such a high resolution is no easy feat, so a VR-ready computer needs to have incredible amounts of graphics and compute performance.
The consensus on components that constitute a PC with minimum VR requirements is as follows:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB VRAM
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590
- RAM: 8 GB
Please keep in mind that these are the minimum requirements for a computer to be considered as VR-ready.
What that means is that you might have to turn off some graphical enhancements to achieve the golden figure of 90 frames per second. Computers with better components will offer a more visually rich experience.
On the other hand, if you want the absolute greatest in visual fidelity when experiencing virtual environments, you’ll need a PC with these components:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 with 8GB VRAM
- CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K
- RAM: 16 GB
The Best VR Gaming PCs Available Today
CyberPower Gamer Ultra VR
This is one of the cheapest gaming PCs you can get that has VR credibility. It certainly isn’t the most powerful gaming rig out there, let alone the most potent VR-ready PC. But it comes with decent hardware that will play any modern AAA title, albeit with reduced graphics options.
The design of the Gamer Ultra VR is for gamers, so it’s entirely undeserved. You get red LED lights that shine through a transparent area in the side panel. If you’re looking for something inconspicuous, this might be an issue. However, this system is an incredible value and should be considered by anyone looking for a budget VR gaming rig.
Key specifications:
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX470 4GB VRAM
- CPU: 4.2 GHz AMD FX-4350
- RAM: 8 GB
Price: $649
SkyTech ArchAngel (GTX 1050 Ti Version)
If you’re prepared to live with its outlandish looks, the ArchAngel follows the blueprint for acceptable PC VR gaming perfectly. It comes with a 6-core AMD processor and the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics processor. These are competent pieces of hardware that can handle most modern game titles at medium to high settings.
Granted, for VR duties you will still not experience the highest level of visual fidelity but at just $649, the SkyTech ArchAngel represents incredible value.
As to the design of the computer system itself, well it stands out, to put it lightly. It’s not for everyone’s tastes, but it doesn’t look horrible.
A clear advantage this system has is its easy upgradability. Down the road, you might want to upgrade to a better GPU (like the GTX 1060), and the ArchAngel’s user-friendly design will allow for that quite easily.
Key specifications:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB VRAM
- CPU: 6-core AMD FX-6300 @ 3.5 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
Price: $649
ASUS ROG GR8
The ASUS ROG G20CB is an eye-catching computer system that isn’t just about the looks. Inside, it packs reasonably powerful hardware that will power most modern games at medium-to-high graphics options and older games at full settings.
In the $902 configuration, you’ll get hardware that’s a step up from the computers we’ve listed before.
The chassis of the ROG GR8 has been optimised for gaming, which means it is efficient at dissipating heat and keeping the hardware inside cool.
The lighting effects of the system are also quite eye-catching, and the design is relatively restrained and doesn’t look garish. When you’re purchasing the ROG GR8, make sure you’re happy with the configuration as it isn’t the most straightforward system to upgrade.
Key specifications:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 with 6GB VRAM
- CPU: 4-core Intel Core i5-7400 @ 3.0GHz
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Price: $902
Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
Getting a gaming PC doesn’t have to mean putting up with looks that only a 12-year old would like. And the Dell XPS Tower Special Edition is here to address this common that plagues most gaming PCs.
In fact, it looks as if it would be more at home in an office rather than a gamer’s bedroom. But that’s just what’s so appealing about it. Don’t let the restrained looks fool you, however, as underneath the unassuming casing lies incredible gaming hardware.
In the $1249 configuration, the XPS Tower packs hardware that will power most modern AAA titles at max settings while outputting to your desired VR headset.
What’s more, the XPS is also incredibly upgrade-friendly. If you wish for more processing power, you can upgrade parts easily. This is a gaming PC that looks good and should serve you long and well.
Key specifications:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1070 with 8GB VRAM
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6400
- RAM: 8 GB
Price: $1249
Acer Predator G1
The Acer Predator G1 is one of the most capable VR gaming PCs available on the market today. It is very reasonably priced given the amount of hardware it packs.
The chassis of the system is quite attractive if you want a computer that screams “I’m made for gaming”. Its more rounded nature justifies the price of the G1 as a gaming and productivity-oriented machine.
You get a cutting-edge, high-end Nvidia 10-series GPU coupled with a top of the range Intel Core i7 processor. Sure, the price is premium, but the VR experience you’ll be getting out of the Predator G1 will also be premium.
Key specifications:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 with 8GB VRAM
- CPU: 4-core, Intel Core i7-6700 @ 4.00 GHz
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Price: $2064
Origin Chronos
A serious gaming PC is going look monstrous, right? In the past, that’s a compromise we’ve all made in the pursuit of achieving the highest possible frames per second. But the Origin Chronos changes that, in a significant way. This small factor computer system is small enough to be mistaken for a game console but it packs quite a punch.
At our chosen configuration, which comes out at slightly above the 2000 dollar mark, the performance the Chronos can achieve given its small size is awe-inspiring. Upgrading the Chronos can be a pain, sure. Its small chassis contains parts that have been packed tightly in order maximise space saving.
So you’ll have to be very handy with PCs to upgrade this one. However, our recommended configuration should give you exceptional VR gaming performance for years to come.
The Chronos looks good and will fit in any environment you choose without standing out. You can place it in any orientation you fancy, without having to worry about airflow or heating issues. The thermal performance of this little performance machine is commendable.
The Predator G1 mentioned above will beat the Chronos when it comes to productivity software like Adobe Photoshop, but the Chronos will take the lead when it comes to gaming performance.
That’s why the Origin Chronos is our favourite and most capable VR gaming PC on this list.
Key specifications:
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti with 11GB VRAM
- CPU: 6-core Intel Core i5-8400 @2.8GHz
- RAM: 16 GB DDR4
Price: $2043
Wrapping Up
If you’re interested in experiencing quality VR, any of the gaming above computers will do the job.
In our opinion, even the cheapest computer on this list will provide you with a fantastic experience solely because exploring a virtual reality is an experience unto itself.
What you really need is to experience it in 90 frames per second for a seamless and lag-free experience. Of course, increasing the visual fidelity will definitely add to the immersion and produce some truly awe-inspiring moments.
This is truly is an exciting era to be a PC gamer!
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