Virtual reality gaming is the most immersive way to experience the incredible stories and action-packed adventures developers have to offer. In this article, we’re covering everything you need to play PCVR games in 2024.
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s get the basics out of the way first. Whether you’re brand new to VR or an Oculus Dev Kit veteran, here are the terms you’ll need to know:
PCVR:
The oldest and most common type of VR, PC Virtual Reality, is really what it says on the tin. Usually requiring a tether cable to your PC (more on this later) for power and data, PCVR headsets offer the very best experience possible in the latest AAA games. This is thanks to your gaming PC, which actually does all the heavy lifting of rendering the game before sending it to the headset.
Wireless PCVR:
The best thing since sliced bread! Wireless PCVR lets you play all your VR games with your PC, doing all the work; however, there’s no need for a bulky tether cable! Wireless PCVR takes advantage of your Wi-Fi router’s strong connection to your headset and PC to transmit data. The best part? You don’t need a good internet connection; you just need to be close to your router.
Standalone VR:
One of the new kids on the block, standalone VR headsets make use of revolutionary advances in mobile processing to let you play VR games without the need for a gaming PC. Many of these headsets also allow you to play PCVR games wirelessly by connecting to your PC!
Console VR:
Console VR started with the PlayStation VR headset… unless you count the Nintendo Virtual Boy from 1995. PlayStation 5 owners have it pretty good right now. The PSVR2 is, without a doubt, one of the best VR headsets on the market. Putting the brilliant specs of the hardware aside, the console-powered headset boasts some incredible VR games, including Horizon Call of the Mountain and Gran Turismo 7.
What PC Do I Need For VR?
You will need a pretty good gaming PC to play VR games. However, the requirements are nowhere near as high as they were just a few years ago. Some PCVR games will require super high-end hardware; however, the vast majority have very reasonable PC System Requirements. For example, the exceptional Ghosts of Tabor recommends an Intel Core i7 7700K, 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1080.
VR PC Recommendations
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or equivalent | Intel Core i7 or equivalent |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA RTX 4060 or equivalent | NVIDIA RTX 4080 or equivalent |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 / DDR5 | 16GB DDR5 |
| Storage | Solid State Drive | NVME Solid State Drive |
Overclockers UK has a huge range of VR-ready gaming PCs, including customisable and next day delivery options. If you prefer to build your own VR gaming rig, make sure to check out our selection of PC components.
At Overclockers UK, we have our exciting range of pre-built PCs – Refract Gaming – and they have been updated with shiny new tech!
OcUK Gaming Empath – AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, RTX 4070 Gaming PC
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700X Eight Core Processor with 5.4GHz Boost
- 32B DDR5 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 12GB Graphics Card
- 2.5Gb LAN, WIFI 6 & Bluetooth
- Ideal For VR Gaming
How About Wireless PCVR?
Similar to traditional PCVR, you’ll need a pretty powerful gaming PC. However, to get the most out of wireless PCVR, having a superfast router or access point close to your play space will provide the optimum experience. We recommend a router with Wi-Fi 6E capabilities as they allow for a stronger 5GHz connection at larger distances. You don’t need to worry about your internet speed, as your router will be directly connecting to both your VR headset and computer. For the best experience, have your PC connected via ethernet.
OcUK Gaming Rapier – AMD Ryzen 5 7600, GeForce RTX 4070 Super Gaming PC
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8GHz (up to 5.1GHz Boost) Six Core Processor
- 240mm AIO Liquid Cooler
- 32GB DDR5 5600MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB Graphics Card
PCVR Headsets
Time to get gaming? Now you’ve got your gaming PC and router ready for a great VR experience, so you’ll need to choose an actual VR headset. There are loads of great options out there for both PCVR and Standalone VR headsets.
HTC VIVE PRO 2 Full Kit – HD VR Headset, Controllers, Base Stations
- Explore VR content in brilliant clarity and bring out the finer details with a combined 4896 x 2448 resolution.
- 120° horizontal field of view (FOV) expands your visual experience and better aligns with the human eye, letting you see more naturally.
- Stay in the moment with precision SteamVR™ Tracking that provides 360-degree coverage of your movement to the millimeter.
HTC VIVE XR Elite All-in-one XR and PC-VR Gaming System
- Convertible form factor. Detach the battery cradle for enhanced portability.
- Vivid passthrough. Blend physical and virtual worlds. Expand play. New possibilities.
- Lightweight XR. A sleek, compact headset that goes where you go.
- Finely tuned viewing. Adjustable IPD and diopter dials for the most natural and clearest visual experience.
Looking for some great VR games?
If all this VR talk has you hankering for some awesome games to play right now, then our Coming To VR series has you covered!
The AAA VR titles just keep coming! A portal into the Metro universe is opening with the announcement of a new VR Metro title coming later this year. Here’s everything we know so far.
- 5 min read
Robert Mullane
Author
When not working, you'll find me in VR or losing in bottom-tier Valorant matches. I write about all topic's tech and gaming with a particular focus on representation in gaming, virtual reality, and LGBTQ+ themes. If you're still not fed up with me, you can also catch me over on the Overclockers UK TikTok and YouTube accounts.
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