When playing VR you need certain specifications.
Let’s see what graphics card we would need.
What Graphics Card Do I Need for VR?
You need at least an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI or an AMD Radeon RX 460 to run the game.
To get the best performance out of your computer, you’ll need a graphics card from either Nvidia or AMD.
Which GPU To Get?
We would recommend choosing a graphic card above the minimum requirements because this will help ensure a smoother and more immersive VR experience.
If you want to use VR apps like Tilt Brush, you’ll probably want to look for a midrange graphics chip. However, even if you don’t plan to game, you might be able to enjoy some of these apps using an entry-level graphics chip.
Entry-Level Graphics Cards for VR
If you’re trying to pick up a VR-ready GPU on a tight budget, we’d recommend either the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 60 or AMD Radeon RX 470. Both these GPUs are powerful enough to run almost any VR headset, including the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.
They will be an ideal addition to a budget VR computer system where you can run VR games at medium or low graphics quality levels without needing fancy hardware like dedicated GPU cores.
Midrange Graphics Cards for VR
If you’re looking for a good budget VR graphics card, then the best option would be an NVIDIA GTX 1080 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 graphics card.
These cards will allow you to play VR applications and games in medium graphical quality settings at a smooth frame rate.
If you’re looking for something better than an RTX 2060, then first-gen AMD RDNA (Radeon RX 5700) graphics cards such as the 5600XT or Nvidia’s 2070 are a good bet.
Enthusiast Graphics Cards for VR
For best performance when using VR, we’d recommend either an Nvidia Ampere 3000 GPU or an AMD Radeon RX 6000 GPU.
These are high-performance graphics chips that can handle even the highest-end VR headsets, including the Valve Index.
Within this category, graphics cards are some of the best GPUs for VR gaming and apps. They will enable you to play games and use apps in ultra settings.
Important Purchasing Factors To Consider
A graphics card generates the pictures you see on your screen by processing the image data sent from your CPU.
To create a realistic virtual reality experience, you’ll want a high-end graphics processing unit (GPU) that can handle large amounts of video and image files quickly and efficiently.
To choose a graphics card that’s powerful enough for VR games, consider these things:
- The headset’s resolution: The higher the resolution the better the graphics card needs to be.
- The refresh rate of the headset: A higher refresh rate means a smoother VR performance but also requires a better VR system.
- The quality of the lenses: A better lens will improve the overall appearance without requiring more power from your VR GPU.
- The Field of View (FOV): A wider FOV requires a beefier graphics card because there is more to draw in any given frame.
- The best VR games require a powerful graphics processor. If you want to play the most recent and highest-quality VR games, you’ll probably need a high-performance graphics chip.
- You need to choose a suitable graphic card for VR that you can afford comfortably; however, there isn’t an exact number of dollars you must spend.
Once you’ve decided which GPU is best suited for VR gaming, you’ll need to decide whether you want a standalone headset or one that connects to your PC.
Many advanced VR systems include their own motion controls, which some users may find preferable to using traditional gamepads.
What Graphics Card Do I Need for VR?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my graphics card run VR?
Yes, most likely. Even some entry-level graphic card today is powerful enough to run some virtual reality applications and games.
However, for the highest quality VR experience possible, we suggest choosing a mid-range to high-end GPU, especially if you plan to play games at high field of view (FOV), frame rate, and resolution settings
Do you need a good GPU for VR?
If you plan to play games in virtual reality, you’ll probably need a graphics card with at least 4GB of RAM. However, if you plan to use virtual realities at a high refresh rate (more than 90Hz), in a larger resolution, or with a wider field of view, you’ll need a graphics card with a lot of power.
Is GTX 1660 Good for VR?
The GTX 1660 Ti is a good choice if you want to play high-end VR titles at their highest graphical quality. You can expect to get smooth performance from this card when running VR titles in medium or high graphical quality.
Is a GTX 1050 Ti good for VR?
The GTX 1050 Ti offers decent performance at an affordable price. It’s best suited for entry-level VR headsets, such as the Oculus Go.
Is my laptop good enough for VR?
Your computer needs a powerful graphics chip to run VR apps and play VR video game titles.
If you want to play games using a VR device, check whether your computer has enough processing power for the task at hand. Also, consider upgrading your computer’s cooling system to prevent overheating when playing games.
Is a GTX 1080 Good for VR?
The GTX 1080 is an excellent card that can handle even the highest-end VR headsets, including the HTC Vive Pro.
With this card, we recommend using it for playing VR games and experiencing things at medium settings and resolution.
Conclusion
We’ve outlined the best graphics cards for VR in different budget ranges so that you can find the right one for your needs.
Remember that more expensive headsets that feature higher resolutions and a wider FOV will look and play better but also cost far more and require beefier graphics cards and other hardware to run.
If you have any questions feel free to comment below.