Can I Run HTC Vive?
Your PC and its constituent parts are the deciding factors in whether you can use the HTC Vive. Consequently, you’ll first need to determine exactly what components you are using, paying particular attention to the CPU, GPU, and RAM. If you are sketchy on the right way to go about doing this, you can refer to our step-by-step guide right here.
From here, cross-reference your specifications to the minimum and recommended system requirements for the HTC Vive, which we’ve listed below for convenience. We also suggest aiming for the recommended requirements, if at all possible, to avoid any performance issues, otherwise you might want to consider a few targeted upgrades possibly to the GPU and RAM as these are generally the easiest to do.
We’re well aware that checking system requirements isn’t what you’d call fun at the best of times. With that in mind, we are working on a bespoke utility designed to take the tedium out of the process. It’s still under wraps, but once ready, it will automatically scan any given PC for its components. We’ll be sure to publish an update as soon as it’s ready for our readers to use.
HTC Vive Details
- Release Date: June 7th, 2016 (Windows PC, Mac, Linux)
- System Requirements: Medium
- Genre: Virtual Reality headset
- Developer: HTC, Valve
- Publisher: HTC
Developed by HTC in collaboration with Valve, the HTC Vive is a virtual reality headset launched in 2016.
Touted a fully immersive headset, the HTC Vive offers precision 360-degree tracking coupled with realistic graphics, directional audio, and haptic feedback. Movements translate to precise in-game actions for a gaming experience that firmly plants the player as the star of the show.
Alongside the HTC Vive can be used either sitting or via a virtual room-size play area with an inbuilt Chaperon system to avoid any nasty bumps or falls. Additionally, the HTC Vive also includes a video function that allows a fully cinematic virtual reality experience.
What distinguishes the HTC Vive from competitor models is that it is powered by SteamVR and, therefore, grants immediate compatibility with over 1500 games on Valve’s digital storefront.
HTC Vive Minimum Requirements
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better
- RAM: 4 GB
- HDD: N/A
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, AMD Radeon R9 290 equivalent or better
- OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
- USB ports: 1x USB 2.0 or newer
- Video Output: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
HTC Vive Recommended Requirements
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better
- RAM: 4 GB or more
- HDD: N/A
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, AMD Radeon RX 480 equivalent or better
- OS: 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
- USB ports: 1x USB 2.0 or newer
- Video Output: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
Optimal Hardware Suggestions
Before jumping the gun and picking up an HTC Vive, it’s worth noting that the system requirements above only factor in the use of the headset itself and not the VR games that use it. As such, ensure that your PC specifications match the requirements for both the Vive and the games you plan to play.
The minimum requirements are geared towards basic functionality and will ensure the HTC Vive works. Don’t expect to play the most demanding VR titles without performance issues. Nevertheless, it will allow a good chunk of games to run well.
The recommended requirements, on the other hand, pretty much cover any of the 1500 + games on Steam VR. These guarantee immersive virtual reality with little to no performance problems. As you can see, it’s only the GPU that changes from the minimum requirements. This jump represents a general trend in VR where better cards equate to better performance.
As a general note, we also recommend as much RAM as possible. The 4 GB in both the minimum and recommended requirements are a baseline rather than an indication of what’s required for peak performance.
What Gaming PC Do We Recommend?
Recommending a PC for the HTC Vive isn’t as clear cut as a game given that it all depends on what you hope to get out of the headset. For those that want a reliable VR build capable of running most VR games, then our $500 build is a good shout.
The build includes AMD Ryzen 2600 CPU, AMD Radeon RX 570 GPU, 16 GB of 3000 MHz DDR4 RAM, and 240 GB SSD. These specs beat those of the recommended requirements meaning this build can handle most SteamVR games with ease.
If you want to push for that high flying VR experience, then we suggest peaking at our $1000 build, which ups the GPU to a GeForce RTX 2060 allied to an AMD Ryzen 5 3600X CPU, 16 GB of 3600 MHz RAM, and a 1 TB SSD.