Unlock immersive adventures with the best VR computers
Which VR computer is best?
If you love the idea of playing virtual reality games in your home, you need excellent computing hardware to make it happen. VR software requires plenty of processing power. As a result, only high-end gaming computers have the right system requirements.
To play the latest VR games, you will need a computer with above-average CPU performance and well-above-average graphics performance. The majority of computers for VR are desktops, but some laptops can handle the job, too.
To learn more about computers for VR, continue reading our buying guide. Our favorite VR-ready computer is the iBUYPOWER Y40 PRO Black Gaming PC Desktop Computer. It does an excellent job of mixing power and price.
What to know before you buy a computer for VR
When selecting a VR computer, think about whether a desktop or laptop is right for your gaming style.
Desktop
Desktop computers have a tower configuration with a separate display monitor. This is the most popular option for a VR computer, as the components of a desktop computer are easy to upgrade in the future.
It’s also easier to cool a desktop tower than a laptop. This is important for VR computers, as the processors inside the VR computer will run hot as they work, requiring cooling for safe performance.
Laptop
VR laptop computers give you the obvious advantage of portability. However, the selection of VR-ready laptops is fairly small and upgrading them to keep up with the latest games can be challenging. Gaming laptops sometimes have a design that simplifies certain upgrades compared to business laptops.
What to look for in a quality computer for VR
When looking for a VR computer that can handle the latest VR games, pay attention to the minimum requirements of the software you plan to use. These requirements are usually listed on the product packaging or on its website.
For the best level of performance, your VR computer should exceed these minimum requirements. Some of the components you’ll find listed in these requirements include the following:
- Processor: Also called a CPU, the processor’s ability to receive instructions is measured in GHz of clock speed.
- Graphics processor: Also called a GPU, it sits on the graphics card. The VR software may require a certain GHz of clock speed in the GPU.
- Frames per second: VR software requires a fast screen refresh, which it will measure in frames per second, or fps.
- RAM: Short for random access memory, this is the temporary storage area for data the CPU is currently using. It’s measured in GB.
- Graphics RAM: The graphics card will contain its own RAM, sometimes called GRAM. It’s also measured in GB.
- USB ports: The majority of VR hardware will need a USB 3.0 or faster port to connect to the computer.
- Display: VR hardware may require DisplayPort or HDMI ports to connect to the computer.
How much you can expect to spend on a computer for VR
The least expensive computers made to run VR software cost from $600 to $1,500. These may struggle with intensive software, however. For a top-end desktop VR computer, expect to pay from $1,500-$4,500.
VR FAQ
Do I need a specific computer for a particular VR brand?
A. No. Most VR hardware has common connectors that will work with any computer. Just make sure your computer is powerful enough to run the hardware you want to use.
What is the most important component in a VR computer?
A. The majority of computers need top-notch graphics card to run VR software properly. Because VR software requires a high frame rate, the graphics card has to be a strong performer.
What’s the best computer for VR to buy?
Top computer for VR
iBUYPOWER Y40 PRO Black Gaming PC Desktop Computer
What you need to know: If you don’t want to blow your budget, this model has the best power and feature set for the price you’ll pay.
What you’ll love: You’ll be able to significantly overclock the CPU for those VR games that need an extra power boost.
What you should consider: Doesn’t have enough power for the top-end VR games, so you may need to add upgrade the RAM out of the gate.
Top computer for VR for the money
Skytech Gaming Azure 3 Desktop PC
What you need to know: This isn’t the most powerful computer for VR gaming, but it’ll handle certain tasks well, and it has a reasonable price.
What you’ll love: The graphics card in this computer is the star performer, delivering outstanding quality for VR gaming. It includes a keyboard and a mouse.
What you should consider: The fans can be loud at times.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This is an impressive gaming laptop for VR or other types of games.
What you’ll love: It contains an Intel 10-Core i7-13620H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, so it can run intensive VR software as successfully as many desktop computing setups.
What you should consider: The hard drive is a bit small, so you’ll have to rely on external memory for additional storage.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.