Best CPU for VRChat
Best CPU for VRChat? Let's find out
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VRChat is a virtual world all about meeting new people and enjoying new experiences? If you’re looking to jump into VRChat, you’ll need a powerful processor capable of running the game at a high framerate to enjoy yourself. So, in this article, we’re looking at the best CPU for VRChat.
Now Read: Best CPU for gaming 2023
Best CPU for VRChat
What are VRChat’s CPU requirements?
The minimum specs for VRChat list the Intel® i5-4590 / AMD FX 8350 equivalent or greater as the required processor.
The developers of the game, VRChat Inc., recommend you run the game on a system equipped with an Intel® i5-6500 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 equivalent or greater for a comfortable experience.
To tell you more about the recommended processors, the Core i5-6500 is a very basic 4-core, 4-thread CPU with a maximum clock speed of 3.6GHz. The Ryzen 5 1600 is a comparatively stronger 6-core, 12-thread processor, also with a maximum clock speed of 3.6GHz.
The i5-6500 is simply a no-go in today’s era since you want at least an 8-threaded processor for anything that has to do with gaming. The Ryzen 5 1600, while a much better processor than the 6500, is still heavily outclassed by the newer options.
We feel that the recommended processors are a bit lacking in specs for them to be good options for VRChat today. Remember, playing in VR is much more demanding on a computer than standard 3D gaming.
Also, you must be playing at a high FPS with consistent frame-time delivery to have a good VR experience. Any lag or stuttering is immersion-breaking and can cause motion sickness since our senses never really experience “lag” in reality.
With that in mind, we’re recommending you a processor that’s more powerful and much more recent than the ones above, but still very affordable.
Best CPU for VRChat – Intel Core i5-13400
The Intel Core i5-13400 is our pick for the best CPU for VRChat. It’s a mid-range Core i5 processor that retails for around $200, but it packs a punch with its specs.
Intel Core i5-13400F
Brand
Intel
CPU Model
Core i5
CPU Speed
4.6 GHz
Platform
Windows
The 13400 is a 10-core, 16-thread processor built on Intel’s hybrid core architecture. It has 6 hyperthreaded performance cores and 4 single-threaded efficiency cores.
The P.cores have a maximum clock speed of 4.6GHz, which is pretty decent by modern standards and will serve you very well in VRChat. The efficiency cores help keep energy costs low and take care of any background processes that might distract your processor from the running game.
10 cores also offer you decent future-proofing in case games decide to become more multicore-dependent in the future.
In addition to its budget-friendly price point, the i5-13400 also features compatibility with the last-generation LGA1700 socket and DDR4 memory, making for a very price-efficient PC build.
Pair it up with a mid to high-end GPU, such as an RX 6700 XT or GTX 3070, to enjoy games like VRChat at the highest settings and at maxed-out framerates.
You can learn more about the best GPUs for VRChat here.
Final word
The i5-13400 is a solid option for mid-range gaming in 2024, and it’s the CPU we’re recommending for VRChat if you’re looking for a new processor. The 13400 has one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the market right now. Go with the “F” edition if you aren’t interested in the iGPU for some extra savings.
