Component Importance for VR

The list below covers the importance of computer parts in chronological order whether you are planning to build your own computer or buy a pre-built system.

1. Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)

Most of what goes into rendering interactive virtual environments is done via the GPU, so a VR ready PC is usually a “gaming” branded system. Look to budget for the GPU first. Sometimes, a strong graphics card put into an older system will make it VR ready! You can visit the GPU naming section for help in knowing what to buy.

2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the next most important component, but as long as you meet the minimum requirements suggested by Oculus you should be good to go. Usually $100 spent upgrading a CPU to a higher model is better spent upgrading the GPU to a higher model.

3. Memory (RAM)

While memory is rated at different speeds , as long as it is the correct type (fits in your motherboard of choice if building your own desktop) and at least 8 GB (although we recommend 16 GB+), you will be fine. If buying a prebuilt desktop or laptop, just look at the amount of RAM it comes with.

Faster memory usually does not translate to noticeable real world performance improvements, so when considering where to spend your money, we suggest upgrading the GPU or CPU if you have enough RAM instead of the RAM speed.

Note: Flash memory is manufactured by a handful of companies (Samsung, Micron, and Hynix) that were hit by a price fixing suit. At the moment, prices have come back down to reasonable levels.

4. Drive

Go for a solid state drive (SSD). Having programs load from a SSD to memory is much faster than from a hard disk drive (HDD). You will see noticeable performance improvements on boot up and loading times.

If you need a 1TB+ capacity, consider using multiple drives. For example, you can put the operating system and programs on the SSD and store files such as pictures or video on the HDD. Hybrid drives are okay and sometimes unavoidable when buying a laptop due to the space constraints in the chassis.

Look into M2 NVMe solid state drives. M2 is a new connector type with higher bandwidth than the traditional SATA connector, and NVMe solid state drives take advantage of this additional bandwidth with faster read and write speeds.

Note: there are SSDs with M2 support that do NOT take advantage of the additional bandwidth so check the specifications first. Note: Flash memory is manufactured by a handful of companies (Samsung, Micron, and Hynix) that were hit by a price fixing suit. At the moment, SSD prices have come back down to reasonable levels.

5. Motherboard

If you are buying a prebuilt desktop or laptop, don’t worry about this component. If you’re building your own computer system, earlier we mentioned getting a motherboard that has the correct socket type for the CPU and has the required slots for all of the above components. If you’re an enthusiast that can budget for a more expensive motherboard, you can take advantage of the fancier features available in the software for overclocking and tweaking component numbers.

Pricier motherboards may also include more slots and ports, which can be helpful if you would like to upgrade the system in the future.

Motherboards come in various sizes, such as MATX or ATX. Ensure your case and motherboard sizing are compatible. Ignore this if purchasing a laptop or a prebuilt system, it is out of your control!

Note: ensure that the motherboard you purchase has a socket that matches the CPU you purchase, and that the CPU cooler supports that socket. The socket on the motherboard is where the CPU is inserted and sockets have a letter and number combination, such as “AM4” or “LGA 1151”. When CPU architectures change significantly the sockets have to change to account for the additional capabilities, and to prevent an incompatible CPU from being inserted. This is similar to encountering different electrical outlets when traveling abroad, except there are no such things as CPU socket converters.

6. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The stronger the graphics card, the more power it requires (usually); additional drives and fans also consume more power. The power supply has a capacity rating, so when purchasing be sure you have enough capacity to optimally power your system. If you’re unsure of how much capacity you will need, you can use a power supply calculator to estimate.

Power supplies are also rated on efficiency of conversion, from the type of electricity drawn from the wall to the type of electricity provided to the components. A higher efficiency on your power supply can save you money over a period of time. The order of power supply efficiency is as follows: Titanium > Platinum > Gold > Silver > Bronze > 80+. You can learn more about the 80 plus certification program for energy efficiency here.

The power supply does not directly affect VR performance, unless you purchase one that is not high enough capacity to provide the GPU with the power it needs to perform optimally. Ignore this if you’re purchasing a prebuilt desktop or laptop, it is out of your control!

7. Operating System (OS)

This is not hardware related, but it is worth pointing out since an operating system is required to actually do anything with all the equipment you have bought. We recommend Windows 10 64-bit as it supports the most VR experiences. Avoid the 32-bit version when possible as it limits memory usage to 4 GB. OSX and Linux have quite a ways to go in terms of VR (most developers of VR experiences only test on Windows as the other two platforms have much smaller gaming communities).

8. Miscellaneous

In buying a pre-built system or building your own, there may be other components added such as cooling solutions (fans, liquid cooling), aesthetic lights, network cards, case enclosures, and so on.

Usually computer cases will come with a few fans, and CPUs come with CPU fans. If reviews say the stock CPU isn’t great, you can opt for a third party CPU fan but ensure that the third party CPU fan supports connecting to the CPU socket type on the motherboard. Ignore this if buying a prebuilt desktop or laptop, it is out of your control!