Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Computers for VR

Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Alienware Aurora R10 Gaming Desktop
Alienware
Aurora R10 Gaming Desktop
Trusted Brand

PC gamers who need a fluid and futureproof VR-ready computer will appreciate the versatility and impressive specs of the Alienware Aurora R10.

Check Price
Check Price at Amazon
Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

PC gamers who need a fluid and futureproof VR-ready computer will appreciate the versatility and impressive specs of the Alienware Aurora R10.

Pros

Intensely powerful and speedy performance. Runs cool under pressure. Blazing-fast WiFi. Lag-free gameplay. Plenty of ports. Easy to upgrade. Stylish LED lighting. Available in white and black.

Cons

Its sci-fi aesthetic is not for everyone.

Best Bang for the Buck
CyberPowerPC  Gamer Xtreme Gaming Desktop
CyberPowerPC
Gamer Xtreme Gaming Desktop
Best for Tight Budgets

If you are a gamer on a budget, consider this value-priced model that's ready to bring on the action of VR gaming.

Check Price
Check Price at Best Buy
Best for Tight Budgets
Bottom Line

If you are a gamer on a budget, consider this value-priced model that's ready to bring on the action of VR gaming.

Pros

Offers the Intel Core i5 processor that's suitable for most gaming needs. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics deliver awe-inspiring video quality. Ample storage and ports. Available at a price that's much lower than many gaming computers.

Cons

Not as responsive as some pricier models.

Skytech Gaming  Chronos Gaming PC Desktop
Skytech Gaming
Chronos Gaming PC Desktop
Feature-packed

This computer offers the features that bring out the most of your gameplay, earning it a spot on our list of favorites for VR gaming.

Check Price
Check Price at Amazon
Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This computer offers the features that bring out the most of your gameplay, earning it a spot on our list of favorites for VR gaming.

Pros

Powered by the Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4070 graphics that make it ready for fast performance and life-like gaming action. 4K resolution produces vivid images. Good-looking machine with bright lights.

Cons

Noisy. Most expensive model we considered.

HP OMEN 30L Gaming Desktop PC
HP
OMEN 30L Gaming Desktop PC
Simple Yet Solid

If you are into VR gaming, this HP computer can keep up with you as you enter the virtual worlds of top games.

Check Price
Check Price at Amazon
Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

If you are into VR gaming, this HP computer can keep up with you as you enter the virtual worlds of top games.

Pros

VR-ready desktop model by a top brand. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics pop during gameplay. AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core processor delivers responsive performance. Provides notable storage for modern gaming.

Cons

Tends to get quite hot after several hours of high-powered gaming.

Skytech Gaming  Shiva Gaming PC Desktop
Skytech Gaming
Shiva Gaming PC Desktop
Fast & Affordable

This is another Skytech computer that's affordable yet has the features necessary for exciting VR gaming.

Check Price
Check Price at Amazon
Fast & Affordable
Bottom Line

This is another Skytech computer that's affordable yet has the features necessary for exciting VR gaming.

Pros

Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3060 graphics. Powerful enough to handle the action of modern games. VR-ready. Has plenty of storage and numerous ports. Fans produce airflow that does a good job keeping it from overheating.

Cons

A few computers quit working properly shortly after purchase.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
August 18, 2021
30
Models
considered
16
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best computers for VR

Samantha Bookman
Written by Samantha Bookman

Updated March 2024

Virtual reality (VR) applications — whether for viewing movies, live video, or gaming — are catching on quickly. But you can’t get a high-quality experience at home with just any computer. VR requires a powerful computer system that can process large amounts of data and output it to the user’s VR headset and controllers.

The computers best suited to VR have plenty of built-in processing power and also have a top-notch graphics card specifically built for VR. These processors generate a lot of heat, so a quality cooling system is essential. However, these are just the basic requirements for a VR-ready computer. Users looking to step up to one of these powerful systems will have plenty of additional questions. How big does the processing unit’s casing need to be? Can a laptop offer the same quality VR experience as a tower?

Content Image
Online compatibility guides and checkers are available to quickly determine the specifications you’ll need in a computer for VR.

Key considerations

Cost vs. performance

Computers for VR need serious technological muscle or their performance won’t just be bad — it’ll be terrible. When a gaming computer doesn’t quite have the memory or graphics processing capability to render a 2-D experience, the biggest problem is a slowdown of the game. When a VR game suffers performance problems, the jitter and slower frame rate can make you feel physically ill.

Because of this, choosing a computer for VR means looking for units with top-end graphics cards, excellent processing capability, and the ability to perform at peak for long periods. Buying a lower-end computer for VR applications may be fine at first, but the lower-priced components are often from previous generations of graphics cards and processors, and they may not keep up with the rapidly changing technology in the VR market — meaning you will need to upgrade sooner than expected, which adds to the cost of a computer.

Virtual reality fans take different approaches to the cost-vs.-performance dilemma. Top-rated computers for VR — both desktop and laptop — can be purchased ready to run the latest VR programs out of the box. But that tends to be the most expensive option. To save on upfront costs, expert computer users often purchase components to upgrade their computers, spreading out the total cost over time. The disadvantage to that is obvious: it takes time, sometimes weeks or months, to upgrade and tune a system. Buying a VR-ready computer is convenient and will get you up and running your favorite VR apps and games in just a few minutes.

Tower or laptop?

Tower: The best-performing computers for VR are desktop units — especially those whose CPU (central processing unit) is housed in a tower casing. Part of the reason is that high-performance computers tend to run hot — very hot. There is room within most towers for multiple cooling fans. Some even have liquid-cooled components to further boost performance. Tower units can also be easier to upgrade and configure.

Laptop: There are several gaming laptops on the market that handle the demands of VR very well. Laptops offer convenience and portability so that you can take that VR experience with you almost anywhere you want to go. Some can be upgraded to improve graphics performance, memory, or storage.

Content Image
Caution
A poor-performing computer for VR will cause the frame rate of the VR game or video to fluctuate. This can cause motion sickness.
STAFF
BestReviews

Features

Computers for VR have similar performance specifications and requirements. These can make a new user’s head spin, but the important thing to keep in mind is that the computer needs to meet the minimum requirements listed below. As long as the computer’s specifications are at or above these minimums (suggested by the manufacturers of the Oculus Rift VR headset), its performance should at least be adequate for the VR app or game you plan to run.

  • Processing speed: Intel i5 4590 processor
  • Graphics processing: Nvidia GTX 970 or AMD R9 290
  • RAM: 8GB (many recommend 16GB or higher)
  • USB ports: Multiple USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports
  • Display ports: HDMI 1.3 or 1.4 and/or a DisplayPort 1.2 (depending on the VR headset)

Computers with the above features will have the power necessary to drive VR performance. Other options, such as the size of the hard drive, are less important — unless you are looking for plenty of local storage.

If you already have a VR headset, make sure the computer that you’re considering meets the minimum specifications listed by the manufacturer. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a computer with performance specs that are higher than those minimums.

"The two best PC-based VR experiences on the market are the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, and a computer for VR should be selected with these two brands in mind — even if you opt for one of the less expensive VR headsets coming onto the market from other manufacturers."
STAFF
BestReviews

Computers for VR prices

A computer for VR can be had for as little as $800 to $900 — but these also have graphics cards and processors at the lowest acceptable rates, and they may not be able to run newer VR apps and games. If you can spend $1,200 to $1,800, a much wider range of desktop and laptop units are available with much greater processing power and graphics capabilities. The highest-end computers for VR — and the highest performing — feature liquid cooling, dual fans, and other performance enhancers; these typically cost between $3,000 and $4,300 or higher.

Tips

  • VR games and videos must maintain a frame rate of 90 f.p.s. (frames per second) to provide a comfortable, enjoyable VR experience.
  • Buying a laptop computer for VR? Make sure it has the correct ports (USB, HDMI, and others) for the VR headset and peripherals you plan to use.
  • VR experiences are increasingly designed to allow users to move around, so place the computer and headset in a room with plenty of open space.
  • Consider buying an anti-fatigue mat to stand on while using VR to reduce lower back pain and sore feet from long VR sessions.
  • If you wear eyeglasses, keep them on while using the VR headset with your computer.
Content Image
The graphics card is the most important — and the most expensive — component of computers for VR.

FAQ

Q. Will I be able to use different VR systems on the same computer?
A.
The two biggest VR brands, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, can be used on any computer for VR. Keep in mind that each uses different connector configurations and different accessories. Make sure that your computer has the right configuration for both.

Q. Do VR systems need upgrades as frequently as computers do? How will this affect my purchase?
A.
Virtual reality technology is changing constantly, but where you’ll see the biggest change is in the quality of the graphics used in VR. This may require you to upgrade the graphics card in your computer every couple of years in order to get the best experience. Buying a computer with a graphics card well above the minimum requirements for VR can reduce the need to upgrade as frequently.

Q. Can my eight-year-old use a VR system? I’ve heard that they aren’t recommended for kids.
A.
While at least one VR manufacturer cautions against use by children under age 13, there is no set standard for age. A parent should supervise VR use and probably limit VR time to the same amount that is recommended for smartphone screen time — an hour or less per day.

Our Top Picks