The Best VR-Ready PC Models of 2018

Have you been browsing the recently launched virtual reality games, but can’t purchase any of them because your old PC is not powerful enough to run them? If you are a hard-core gamer, the answer has already come to you. For everyone else, this is our suggestion: it is time to move on to a more powerful, VR-ready PC.

Why does VR Need so much Computing Power?

Creating super realistic virtual reality images and having them move seamlessly with your head and hand movements requires a lot of processing power, to read your haptics data and adapt the visuals to match them. Apart from the processor itself, high definition and 4K virtual reality games need a powerful graphics card, capable of rendering the full spectrum of colors, to create the sensation of a three dimensional space and give video game characters the minute details of a real human face.

This is why a VR-ready PC packs the latest generation of processors and graphics cards and has sufficient RAM memory to keep the game running smoothly.

Let’s look at the best VR-ready PC models to choose from if you want to experience the latest virtual reality games:

1. Alienware Aurora R7

Alienware is a special line of PCs and laptops, developed by Dell, for gaming. The Aurora R7 series is the latest generation and comes equipped with:

• an Intel Core i7-8400 quad core processor
• 16 GB of DDR4 RAM
• an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPU graphics card
• a 2TB hard disk drive

All these components are packed inside a sleek mid-tower case which can open easily by push button, allowing you to upgrade RAM memory or storage space with ease. The Alienware Aurora series comes in various configurations, apart from this one. However, you should not select the entry-level models if you are looking for a VR-ready PC.

2. Origin Chronos

If you want a VR-ready PC that is specifically built to your tastes and specs, Origin has the answer for you. The Chronos series is fully customizable, giving you the freedom to choose from the following options:

• AMD or Intel processors,
• AMD Radeon RX 570 or the high-end NVIDIA Titan XP graphics cards,
• 32GB extra DDR4 RAM memory,
• RGB interior lighting, and
• a fully customizable case with various paints.

The downside to this model is that you have to know exactly what you need in order to create a balance between performance and price. However, even if you stick with the entry level configuration, you will still have a reliable VR-ready PC.

3. Lenovo Legion Y920 Tower

This VR-ready PC also wins the award for comfort. All its ports are located on the front side of the case, making it very easy for you to connect your VR headset and play games.

Let’s look inside the case:

• Intel Core i7-7700K processor
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 2TB hard disk drive + 256GB solid-state drive
• NVIDIA GTX 1080 GPU graphics card

4. MSI Aegis 3

Spaceship-like, but quiet as a breeze, the MSI Aegis 3 takes pride in using the latest generation Kabby Lake Intel processors and providing users with many ports, among which the ones you will need most are:

• 1 USB 3.1 Type C
• 2 USB 2.0 with Super Charger 2
• 1 Mic in
• 1 Headphone out
• 1 HDMI out
• 2 USB 2.0
• 4 USB 3.1 Type A
• 1 HDMI in
• 1 Display port
• 2 OFC audio jacks

Moving on to the specifications, you can choose between various configurations:

• Intel Core i5-7400 or i7-7700 processor
• 16 GB or 32 GB RAM
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or 1080 graphics card
• 2TB HDD + 256GB SDD or 2TB HDD + 512GB SSD

5. CyberPower Gamer Extreme VR

If you want a powerful VR-ready PC on a budget, then CyberPower Gamer Extreme VR is the right choice for you. It does not boast super high-level components, but what it has inside the case is sufficient for any type of VR game play.

Here is what you get for around $800:

• Intel Core i5-8400 processor
• 8GB DDR4 RAM
• AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card
• 1TB HDD

As an extra point in its favor, this VR-ready PC is easy to open so you can upgrade your configuration any time you want.