Best GPU for VR 2025: Top graphics cards for virtual reality headsets
A GPU Guide to Virtual Reality
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Most high-powered VR headsets need access to the GPU in your PC to work as they can’t render games onboard. This is not true for all headsets – as the Meta Quest line of products can do just that – but certainly applies to the majority of today’s market. That said, even standalone VR headsets have the option to connect to a PC, as the dedicated hardware found inside modern computers is far more capable of handling more-intensive, VR-based titles.
With that being said, some GPUs are simply better built to handle the load that virtual reality requires – so choosing the right GPU for your virtual reality setup is absolutely essential. Luckily, we’ve got a ton of experience when it comes to graphics cards, having reviewed over 30 of the market’s leading models over the past 6 years. Using our own in-house benchmarks (alongside third party reviews), we walk you through our best graphics cards for the most popular VR use cases and price points below.
Products at a glance
-
Best GPU for VR
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
- Core Clock Speed: 2,640 MHz boost
- CUDA Cores: 16,384
- Memory Size: 24GB GDDR6X
- Dimensions: 357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm
- PSU Required: 1000W
- TDP: 450W
-
Runner UP
ASUS TUF Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
- Core Clock Speed: 1,895 MHz base, 2,395 MHz shader & game, 2,565 MHz boost
- Stream processors: 6,144
- Memory Size: 24GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 352.9 x 158.2 x 72.6 mm
- PSU Required: 850W
- TBP: 355W
-
Value Pick
ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC
- Core Clock Speed: 2,760 MHz OC,
- CUDA cores: 7,680
- Memory Size: 12GB GDDR6X
- Dimensions: 305 x 138 x 65 mm
- PSU Required: 750 W
- TBP: 285 W
-
Budget
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4060 OC
- Core clock speed: 1,830MHz base, 2,670MHz boost
- CUDA cores: 3,072
- Memory size: 8GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 311.4 x 133.5 x 61.9mm
- PSU required: 550W
- TBP: 115W
-
Honorable mention
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- Core clock speed: 2,430MHz boost, 2,124MHz game
- Stream processors: 3,840
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 267 x 111 x 50mm
- PSU required: 600W
- TBP: 263W
VR requirements differ from game Requirements
One thing to remember when you’re choosing the best GPU for VR is that VR headset hardware requirements and game requirements are very different things. Just because your PC supports your headset, does not mean that your PC can play the games you want.
Take note of the game’s system requirements if you’re building a PC with a specific VR title in mind – as using headset requirements alone might result in your choosing a GPU that simply isn’t right for the job.
How we test and choose
For this guide, we combined our expert knowledge and the reviews of others in the field to comprise a list of the best GPUs for VR. We considered the specifications of each of the most popular VR headsets available and assumed our pick’s performance based on how it handles gaming in non-VR scenarios. We rely on our industry knowledge and understanding to assess whether or not a GPU is good to go in terms of VR.
But first, what are the entry-level system requirements for a VR headset? It’s all well and good picking the best GPU, but is the rest of your system up to scratch?
Minimum requirements to use VR on your PC
We’ve looked at the minimum requirements of all the major VR headsets available today, including; the Valve Index, HTC Vive Pro 2, and Meta Quest 3. We have used this info to make somewhat of a universal minimum specs table. You must have at least these specifications if you want other components to support your VR headset.
| Component | Model |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4590, AMD Ryzen 1500 equivalent, or better |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1060 |
| Motherboard | Intel B300 series, AMD B400 series equivalent, or better (whatever supports your choice of CPU) |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 / DDR5 |
| OS | Windows 10 and above |
These are the absolute minimum specs that you can run VR on your PC, and even then it’s just support – not designed for a great experience. You might be able to struggle through a couple of VR titles, but it’s doubtful you will experience high framerates and stunning visual fidelity. One thing’s for sure though, you will if you arm your VR gaming rig with one of the graphics cards listed below.
Best GPU for VR: our reviews
- Core Clock Speed: 2,640 MHz boost
- CUDA Cores: 16,384
- Memory Size: 24GB GDDR6X
- Dimensions: 357.6 x 149.3 x 70.1mm
- PSU Required: 1000W
- TDP: 450W
- Memory Clock: 21 Gbps
- Memory Bus: 384-bit
- Card Bus: PCIe 4.0 x16
- Output: 2x HDMI 2.1a, 3x DP 1.4a
- Power Connectors: 1x 16-pin
The RTX 4090 is the best of the best when it comes to graphical rendering at desktop level. If you’re looking for the best GPU for a VR setup then this is it.
- Excellent air cooling solution
- Pushes performance above the rest of the selections
- Updated design is both thermally and aesthetically focused
- Unrivaled performance at 4K
- A more expensive choice over the rest of the picks and will cost a lot to run
The RTX 4090 is the ideal choice for anyone looking to experience the highest quality in virtual reality, or anything else for that matter – as we mention in our review. Its unrivaled performance comes from an impressive array of CUDA cores and AI-enhanced rendering capabilities, which help deliver smooth, immersive gameplay in even the most demanding VR titles.
This power translates into reduced latency and a higher frame rate, ensuring you enjoy a more responsive VR experience. When connected to a PC, the RTX 4090 can effortlessly support high-resolution headsets like the Valve Index.
The RTX 4090’s support for advanced features such as DLSS 3 makes sure that it can maintain peak performance without compromises. This is particularly important for VR, where a consistent frame rate can be the difference between an immersive experience and motion sickness. The 24 GB of VRAM allows the card to handle complex textures and large-scale environments, resulting in high FPS in more-demanding resolutions and future-proofing your setup for upcoming VR titles.
Below, we showcase some in-house benchmarks that highlight just how strong a performer the RTX 4090 is in any situation. There is quite literally no scenario in which this GPU is outperformed by another in today’s market – especially when it comes to gaming. It will remain this way until the 50 series comes along.
- Core Clock Speed: 1,895 MHz base, 2,395 MHz shader & game, 2,565 MHz boost
- Stream processors: 6,144
- Memory Size: 24GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 352.9 x 158.2 x 72.6 mm
- PSU Required: 850W
- TBP: 355W
- Memory Clock: 20 Gbps
- Memory Bus: 384-bit
- Card Bus: PCIe 4.0 x16
- Output: 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DP 2.1
- Power Connectors: 3 x 8-pin
The 7900 XTX is the best that AMD currently offers making it a top pick for VR. Outside of that, 4K is not out of the question with this GPU either. So consequently, 1440p is no issue — especially on the RDNA 3 architecture.
- OC card but still priced at MSRP for better performance at the same price
- Dual BIOS button and robust design of the card
- Side RGB that has no button but requires software to control
The RX 7900 XTX is another top contender when it comes to powering a VR experience, offering a balance of high performance and efficiency. While the RTX 4090 may take the crown in terms of raw power, the 7900 XTX brings a compelling efficient alternative with its 24 GB of GDDR6 memory and robust ray-tracing capabilities – though the 4090 beats it here too.
As we mention in our 7900 XTX review, It’s more than capable of delivering smooth frame rates in any resolution, even with VR headsets like the Valve Index or Meta Quest Pro 3 – allowing you to enjoy detailed environments without sacrificing performance. If you’re looking for a card that delivers high-quality VR experiences without the 4090 price tag, the 7900 XTX is an excellent option.
Much like the 4090, the 7900 XTX also offers support for advanced upscaling technologies, specifically AMD’s FSR and AFMF2 – which helps maintain fluid performance without messing with image quality too much.
The RX 7900 XTX may trail behind the 4090 in terms of performance, but it’s far more efficient and cost-effective to both buy and own. Here we have some in-house benchmarks to make the case that this GPU is still absolutely a high-end piece of hardware.
- Core Clock Speed: 2,760 MHz OC,
- CUDA cores: 7,680
- Memory Size: 12GB GDDR6X
- Dimensions: 305 x 138 x 65 mm
- PSU Required: 750 W
- TBP: 285 W
- Memory Clock: 21 Gbps
- Memory Bus: 192-bit
- Card Bus: PCIe 4.0 x16
- Output: 2x HDMI 2.1a, 3x DP 1.4a
- Power Connectors: 1x 16-pin
The RTX 4070 Ti is the perfect mid-high range card that allows people with smaller budgets enjoy the VR landscape. It’s not a budget card by any means, but it does offer a fantastic price to performance ratio both in and outside of VR gaming.
- High overclocks out of the box
- Fantastic cooling solution with plenty of capacity
- Colorful and nice looking design compared to basic models
- High price makes this model expensive
- Rather large dimensions
- Still utilizes a 12VHPWR 16-pin power connector (squid)
The RTX 4070 Ti is a strong contender for anyone seeking a high-quality VR experience without splurging on flagship options like the RTX 4090. This card delivers impressive performance, handling the demanding nature of virtual reality with ease. With 12 GB of GDDR6X memory, it’s well-equipped to support popular headsets such as the Meta Quest Pro 3 or HTC Vive Pro 2, offering smooth gameplay and sharp visuals.
While it may not match the raw power of the 4090, this GPU strikes a balance between price and performance, making it a smart choice for those looking to dive into VR without breaking the bank. The greater power efficiency and cooler die also make it a great GPU to overclock if you want to squeeze more performance out of it.
As we mentioned in our review, the RTX 4070 Ti benefits from NVIDIA’s DLSS technology, ensuring that it maintains high frame rates without sacrificing image quality. This is crucial in VR, where smoothness directly impacts comfort and immersion. The card’s advanced ray-tracing capabilities also bring an extra layer of realism to virtual realms, making each experience more lifelike.
This GPU takes no prisoners at the $800 price point – as we observed in our testing below. The 4070 Ti is a 1440p beast, trading blows with AMD’s 7900 XT.
In this review, we compare the performance and features of the ASUS TUF OC RTX 4070 Super to its predecessors, Cs2, Cs3, Cs4, and Cs5
Is the ASUS TUF OC RTX 4070 Super worth it in the finals?
- Core clock speed: 1,830MHz base, 2,670MHz boost
- CUDA cores: 3,072
- Memory size: 8GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 311.4 x 133.5 x 61.9mm
- PSU required: 550W
- TBP: 115W
- Memory Clock: 18Gbps
- Memory Bus: 128-bit
- Card Bus: PCIe 4.0 x8
- Output: 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DP 1.4a
- Power Connectors: 1x 8-pin
The RTX 4060 isn’t one of the best-value GPUs in the world, but it does fall into the budget category. Normally we’d suggest going for the 4060 Ti and you still should if you can find it on sale. The 4060 is still capable of 1080p high FPS but it’ll struggle in 1440p without upscaling to help it out. For VR though, it is highly capable and can take on the well-optimized games in full fidelity.
- Factory overclock means slightly better performance
- Bold design and build quality
- Great thermal performance thanks to well-optimized cooling solution
- Doesn’t offer the greatest price-to-performance
- Struggling to keep up in 1440p with AAA games outside of VR
The RTX 4060 is a great budget-friendly option for VR enthusiasts, especially if you want to get into virtual reality without spending a fortune. Priced under $300, this GPU brings the benefits of NVIDIA’s Ada architecture, including access to DLSS 3 – which is a game-changer for smoother performance.
With DLSS 3’s frame generation, the RTX 4060 can upscale lower-resolution graphics efficiently, ensuring that VR titles run smoothly even with more limited hardware. This feature is particularly important at this price point, where maximizing performance per dollar is crucial.
The card’s 3,072 CUDA cores and 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM may not match higher-end models like the RTX 4070 Ti, but it still provides solid performance at 1080p and even manages 1440p in some scenarios, as highlighted in our review. This makes it capable of handling many popular VR headsets, especially if you’re willing to mess with some settings. While the 128-bit memory bus can limit performance in more demanding titles, the RTX 4060’s efficient power draw and compact design make it an excellent choice for those looking to build a VR-capable system on a budget.
We tested the RTX 4060 in a few different games outside of VR to get a feel for how well a budget card stacks up against the far more costly picks on this list, and we’re happy to report that it does very well – considering its price point.
- Core clock speed: 2,430MHz boost, 2,124MHz game
- Stream processors: 3,840
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6
- Dimensions: 267 x 111 x 50mm
- PSU required: 600W
- TBP: 263W
- Launch price: $499
- Availability: September 6th, 2023
- GPU Name: NAVI 32
- Architecture : RDNA 3
- Process size: 5 nm
- Die size: 346mm
- L3 Cache: 64 MB
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/s
- Memory Bus: 256 bit
- Compute units: 60
- RT Cores: 60
The AMD RX 7800 XT is a fantastic choice if you want to game at 1440p, and sometimes 4K with the help of FSR upscaling. By these specifications alone, this GPU is very capable of supporting high fidelity VR gameplay. It also has additional ports to plug a headset into.
- Dual fan design makes it small but still capable of staying cool
- Great bang for the buck
- Strong VR performance
- Superseded by the 7900 XT
- Poor ray tracing performance compared to other Nvidia entries
The RX 7800 XT is a great choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly VR GPU without compromising performance. Priced under $500 this card offers a solid balance of power and affordability, making it ideal for anyone looking to dive into virtual reality without shelling out for a 7900 XTX or a 4090.
Built on AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture, it brings modern features and efficient performance to the table, being sure to promote smooth gameplay and stunning visuals in VR environments. Its 16 GB of GDDR6 memory and 256-bit bus provide plenty of bandwidth, making it well-suited for demanding VR titles that require high-resolution textures and faster data processing.
With its Navi 32 processor and 3,840 stream processors, the 7800 XT can handle the complexities of virtual reality almost as well as some higher-priced alternatives, like the RTX 4070 Ti. While it might not have access to NVIDIA’s DLSS 3, this GPU makes up for it with a surprising amount of performance given the energy efficiency – offering smooth and immersive gameplay on headsets like the HTC Vive Pro 2. Its clock speeds reach up to 2,430MHz, ensuring the card remains responsive during intense gaming sessions.
We tested the RX 7800 XT for our review, and we were thoroughly impressed with the amount of performance it can muster for a sub $500 pick. This GPU can throw punches with the rest of them, even in 1440p where games get a little tougher to run.
Things to consider when buying a VR-based GPU
There are quite a few things to consider when choosing a GPU for VR, so to keep this article under the 45 minute read time, we’ve only chosen some of the more important points and outlined them below – starting with resolution.
Resolution and FPS
The majority of modern VR headsets, no matter who they’re made by, top out at 90Hz. That being said, the Valve Index offers a refresh rate of up to 144Hz – making it the quickest headset on this list. To save us listing absolutely every VR headset resolution available, an average screen resolution stands at around 4K per eye for modern choices. So, in an ideal world, you’ll want a GPU that can push 90Hz (or 90 frames per second) in 4K.
You’ll be happy to know that VR games tend to be more optimized than your standard AAA title, meaning we can take like-for-like gaming performance with a pinch of salt here. It’s not like we’re asking your GPU to run Cyberpunk in 4K at 90 FPS. This level of performance is far more achievable when using a VR headset on a game built for VR – even on older hardware.
Ray Tracing
Ray tracing is a real-time rendering process that creates hauntingly real lighting effects in games. If you want your virtual reality to be as real as technologically possible, a GPU with hardware ray tracing capabilities is the only way to go. You’ll be pleased to know that every GPU we have selected on this list is fully capable of hardware ray tracing – but be aware, enabled RT comes at a cost.
Ray Tracing tanks performance
It’s important to note that enabling ray tracing can hurt framerate even though it looks fantastic, so you’ll need a capable GPU to pull it off smoothly. It certainly won’t be worth using software ray tracing with older GPUs in VR, as the drop in quality would be too drastic. Remember, a choppy, low FPS headset is either going to make you sick or give you a headache – at least that’s what happens to me.
Standalone VR gaming
In this day and age, with the wonderous rapid progression of technology, some VR headsets don’t require being tethered to a GPU to work. If you’re frantically trying to cobble together a PC for the likes of the Meta Quest lineup (standalone headsets) then consider whether you truly need a PC.
All of the games featured in the Meta store run well on the Quest 2 and 3, as they are optimized specifically for the hardware that the Quest carries. Please check whether your VR headset can run in standalone mode before you decide to drop a lot on a PC, as you might just save yourself a few thousands dollars.
Connectivity
VR gaming requires a port in your GPU to enable the PC to send images to the screen(s) in the headset – usually a Display Port. If you are already using all of the display ports on your GPU then you’re going to run into a problem. It’s best practice to check the headset’s connectivity requirements before purchasing and consider switching one of your display items to HDMI to make room for the headset (if you’re full).
The exception to this is the Meta Link interface – which uses USB instead of a display port on your GPU, but the issue can remain if you’re using absolutely every USB 3.0 port on the back of your motherboard.
Game Requirements
We outlined the minimum hardware requirements for the VR before, but that’s just half the battle. Games have system requirements that need to be met to enjoy the game at its fullest. It’s simply not enough to scrape the bottom of the barrel of VR compatability and call it a day. If you want to run games at their best, you need to meet or exceed the hardware recommended by the developers.
Is virtual reality gaming GPU intensive?
VR can be intensive on both the CPU and the GPU, but it generally has an emphasis on the GPU. If you think about it – even though VR games are heavily optimized – the GPU has to run two displays at nearly 4K at around 90Hz. This is a very GPU-heavy application and doesn’t require too much input from the CPU, but that can vary game to game.
The important thing to remember here is that games dictate the requirements to run it, not the headset. You might meet the VR headset requirements and then some, but you can still fall short of whatever game you want to play on that headset. It works the same way as standard game requirements.
Can any game be played in VR?
While a lot of games have to be developed specifically for use on a VR headset, there are third-party projects that allow traditionally non-VR games to be brought to life through a headset. Vorp X is a software dedicated to just that, bringing “2D” games to life in VR. although playing FNV in VR is nauseating, it’s well worth it for some games as they just work so well. While there is an incredibly long list of games that Vorp is compatible with, it’s not every single game ever made.
Vorp X is not perfect
This is not perfect software, and we can’t guarantee that you won’t get flagged by VAC or other Anti-cheat software if using this to play games online, it’s best to stick to the single-player titles to be safe.
Improving VR performance can combat motion sickness
If you enjoy VR, but can’t quite hack the motion sickness – choppy framerates might be to blame. We’re not saying that spending money on an expensive GPU will get rid of your motion sickness, but it can help to alleviate the symptoms. Basic biology tells us that when your eyes and ears disagree it has us dashing to the nearest bucket, but ensuring your VR headset acts as much like the real world as possible can tame this biological disagreement.
In essence, the smoother the visual experience is, the less likely you are to become motion sick – or “VR legs” as some people like to call it. If you do experience motion sickness when playing VR, we suggest you stop using it immediately until the symptoms subside. Repeated use can get you used to VR, but it’s not something you can just push through in one sitting.
Final Word
Gaming has always been heading in some form towards full-blown virtual reality. Even if we’re not donning the headset, we’re constantly on the hunt for greater realism from our graphics, thinner bezels that close the gap between our world and the worlds set out by our games, and spatial sound systems that take our senses on a wild ride. Short of some device that lets us smell our game’s environment (that’s our idea, you can’t steal it), VR has always been the logical conclusion.
You may not have the funds (or the dedication) to fork out for the absolute top-of-the-line GPU, and that’s why we’ve recommended a wide array of excellent options. But now that VR has captured the imagination of the gaming community at large, tech is going to move pretty fast. The best way to prepare for this is to set yourself up with a quality, future-proof GPU, and any of the GPUs on this list are objectively amazing choices.
