Virtual Reality is fast approaching, and for the most part it’s an exciting time. I’m a firm believer that VR has the legs to go far beyond the gimmick phase, but I do also believe it has a tough battle ahead of it to hit the mainstream. Part of that battle is optimisation, with PC in particular already proving to be a bit of a challenge when it comes to that optimisation. So says Elite Dangerous, which has some really high specifications when it comes to VR.
Elite Dangerous recently posted its required specs for Steam VR, and they offer an interesting glimpse into some of the hardware you should be looking at if you’re planning to strap an Oculus or HTC Vive to your face anytime soon. Oculus already posted their own set of requirements a while ago, which listed the Nvidia GTX 970 as a minimum. Elite Dangerous goes a step further though, in many regards.
OS: Windows 7/8/10 64 bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K Quad Core CPU or better / AMD FX 4350 Quad Core CPU or better
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 980 with 4GB or better
Network: Broadband Internet Connection
Hard Drive: 8 GB available space
For reference, that’s far higher than most minimum specifications for most modem games, nevermind higher still than the majority’s recommended specifications. The GTX 980 is one of Nvidia’s top cards, as well any equivalent from AMD with 4GB of memory. The RAM requirement is also pretty high, but more in line with the normal requirements of games on PC recently.
It’s one game, but it’s an accurate look at what VR is going to start demanding from you for smooth play. Unlike regular monitors, sudden, minor framerate drops have a massively negative impact of gameplay in VR – potentially making you sick in the process. These requirements are so high because locked framerates of 60 (at the very least) are a requirement, which really propels the hardware requirements sky high.
It might change when the hardware is actually out, but for now this is the VR future you should be preparing for on PC. Scary, but worth if for those able to fit the investment bill.
Last Updated: December 8, 2015
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:11
This whole requirements for games thing I do not always get.
So, my 2nd gen i7, with mobile gaming crappy 555m card does the following during some games: CPU 20%, Ram 2gb (if that much), disk 1%. Yet still slow to hit turn in games like Rome total war, Civ V, and endless Legend. Got endless legend much faster by switching off all the graphics options, but still the CPU and ram is hardly used. I still have like 12Gb ram available (ram, not paging file). Civ Beyond Earth and Civ V the same.
Am I to assume the games are not using all the CPU and RAM they can to speed thing up because
a) they are trying to use the GPU for turn processing OR it somehow slows down the turn processing
b) they are not programmed to use all the cores on multiple CPUS
Or RAM usage just no optimised.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 13:12
http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.25992707.7476/sticker,375×360.png
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:14
Nah, RAM is there but not being used.
HvR
December 8, 2015 at 13:17
Needs more ewe?
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:19
possible, possibly. yes.
doe, a dear, a female dear, ray, a light I hear, me a name I like my wife, far, where I would like to be, Sew we care about this, La a blah blah, Tea, a drink for me name
and back to the doe. So, yes. More ewe.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 13:20
Tralalalalalalaaaa
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:20
fallallalaaa. hum if you cannot keep up with the words, then. 🙂
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 13:21
Not only do I know the words, it is one of the few songs I can play on a piano!
#AdmiralChief-TheAmazing
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:23
my two year old can sort of play stuff too. My wife is trying to slowly teach her. The important thing is that she has displayed a basic understanding of pitch and sound. She sometimes hits a note on the piano, same as in a song we are playing.
I cannot string two notes together. At all.
#IsTheAdmiralThatAmazingThen
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 14:19
#YesHeIs
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:24
AND it is impressive to be able to do something on a piano at all!
#AdmiralChiefTheAmazing
HvR
December 8, 2015 at 13:27
Can safely say I forgot every little thing of my 5 years of piano lessons.
My mom wanted a little Shiff, she got a little sif tone deaf beer drinker instead.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 14:19
Bwaaaahahahahaha
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 13:17
https://media.giphy.com/media/whOs1JywNpe6c/giphy.gif
HvR
December 8, 2015 at 13:20
Think the majority of the processing is still the graphics, to keep all that detail and little animations going and have smooth multi-directional scrolling.
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:22
that is what I figure, the little smoke on the huts, the wisp of cloud, that sort of thing. Damn. My graphics card gets hot, so is slower than it should be as well.
NEW LAPTOP. MORE MONEY.
HvR
December 8, 2015 at 13:14
Since the GPU cards and drivers have not yet been optimized for simultaneous dual HD display required for VR this is to be expected, will probably get better if VR gets widespread adoption.
miaau
December 8, 2015 at 13:15
And cheaper. that is another barrier to entry, I should think
HvR
December 8, 2015 at 13:15
Yes I do not see widespread adoption if the hardware price doesn’t drop below that of a decent screen. Also think MS got an better idea with the Hololens.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 8, 2015 at 13:19
I’m guessing that should be an FX 8350, and not a 4350?
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 13:20
The FX 8350 is an octa core
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 8, 2015 at 13:22
Seems light compared to an i7.
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 14:18
AMD just runs better 😛
VampyreSquirrel
December 8, 2015 at 13:22
8 times the heat!!!
The Grand Admiral Chief
December 8, 2015 at 14:18
I have a 8320, and it does emit a faint red glow, makes the case look nice!
VampyreSquirrel
December 8, 2015 at 13:28
VR can GITS!
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 8, 2015 at 13:40
You can GITS in VR while GITS!
HairyEwok
December 8, 2015 at 14:40
So top of the line hardware then, why am I not amazed at all. PC gaming is becoming too expensive these days.
geel slang
December 8, 2015 at 17:08
damn, 980, what a shame I were looking forward to playing it on oculus.