Is the Vive XR Elite compatible with PC? Yes, sort of
Yes, but it's not needed
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
So, is the Vive XR Elite compatible with PC? Yes, yes it is. However, that’s not the full story, as you don’t need to use it with a PC whatsoever.
HTC Vive XR Elite VR headset
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2
Storage
128GB
RAM
12GB
Display resolution
1920 x 1920 per-eye
Battery Life
Up to 2 hours, comes with a hot-swappable 26.6Wh Battery
Weight
1.37lbs/0.62kg
So, just like we did for the PSVR 2, we’re hard at work answering all the different queries around the upcoming Vive XR Elite.
This means that if you decide to pre order the Vive XR Elite, you’ll know everything you need to know by the time the release date rolls around.
The question of today, however, is ‘is the Vive XR Elite compatible with PC?’ We’ve already mentioned that the answer is ‘yes’. but, as we not-so-subtly alluded to, that’s not the main point of it.
Is the Vive XR Elite compatible with PC? yes, but you don’t need to use a PC with it
Essentially, the Vive XR Elite is a standalone VR headset, but you can optionally connect it to a PC with a cable or Via WiFi to unlock better performance using the hardware of the PC in question.
While we don’t yet know how much the performance will improve, it’s likely to be a significant step up, as standalone headsets still can’t fit anywhere near the horsepower of a gaming PC in their tiny chassis’.
Vive XR Elite PC connection: USB C vs WiFi
We mentioned earlier that you’ll be able to connect the Vive XR Elite to a PC to bolster the performance. However, it doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily have to lose the freedom standalone VR headsets are designed to achieve.
You can either opt for a wired connection via a USB Type-C cable, or a wireless connection over WiFi. Each decision will predictably have some benefits and drawbacks.
Of course, HTC is yet to reveal any specific metrics for either of these connection methods, but it’s safe to say that the WiFi method won’t be able to provide nearly as much additional power as the wired variant.
Additionally, both of these methods will be at the mercy of the PC in question anyway, as the capabilities of that will affect the experience more than anything.
Is the Vive XR Elite compatible with PC?
Yes, you can optionally connect the Vive XR Elite to a PC to improve its performance, but it’s designed to work standalone primarily.
How much performance is gained from connecting the Vive XR Elite to a PC?
We don’t know yet. HTC hasn’t provided any metrics, and it will depend on the PC in question, and whether you’re using a cable or connecting over WiFi.
