Home Gaming The Oculus Rift experience will probably cost more than you realise

The Oculus Rift experience will probably cost more than you realise

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VR

We’ve already told you that The Oculus Rift is going to be prohibitively expensive when it’s finally released in the first half of next year. The biggest reason, above the price of the headset itself is that the hardware specification needed to run the Rift is beyond the grasp of the average gamer.

To recap, the specs needed to run the VR device are:

  • NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD 290 equivalent or greater
  • Intel i5-4590 equivalent or greater
  • 8GB+ RAM
  • Windows 7 service pack 1 or later
  • two USB 3.0 ports
  • HDMI 1.3 video output

If you don’t already have a Pc that matches that spec, or is able to be upgraded to meet that spec, VR using the Rift is going to break that bank.

“We are looking at an all-in price, if you have to go out and actually need to buy a new computer and you’re going to buy the Rift … at most you should be in that $1,500 range,” Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe said  at Re/code’s annual Code Conference, according to recode.net.

Directly converted, that gives you a local all-in price of around R18 000 – but that’s directly converted, and PC hardware here in SA tends to come with a premium attached, so I’d not be surprised if the average punter had to lay down R22 000 or more to jump in. Of course, that’s just the starting point, because the Rift may have a few hidden expenses; peripherals.

While the standard way of playing rift games at the moment hinges on mouse and keyboard or usual controllers, it seems there will be Rift-specific peripherals. Note the plural.

“Long term, there’s not going to be a single input device,” stated Iribe. “In VR, it’s going to be several different devices.”

We should get to see what those peripherals encompass at E3. I bet they’re not cheap.

As I’ve said before, Sony’s Morpheus may end up being the more accessible VR solution. A PlayStation 4 can be had for around R6000, and even if the Morpheus costs as much as the console itself, you’re still looking at less to spend for a VR experience, and that’s even if you include the silly PlayStation move wands.

Last Updated: May 28, 2015

100 Comments

  1. Uberutang

    May 28, 2015 at 15:07

    Most 1st wave adopters will all ready have the pc hardware needed. So the only cost will be the rift and the control bits. From scratch… yeah gonna be pricey, but then you get a kickass PC so… worth it.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      May 28, 2015 at 15:13

      I can’t even afford to buy a GTX 960, let alone the specs required for this. So yeah, no VR.

      Reply

    • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

      May 28, 2015 at 16:18

      Still not worth a Rift. HTC comes with Valve support and peripherals (controller + room cameras). It is my personal choice in the VR space right now.

      Reply

    • BacchusZA

      May 29, 2015 at 08:32

      I might need to upgrade my CPU – I’ve only got a 3570K – but I’ve already got everything else needed to run an OR, and I’d been planning on looking carefully at the new series of chips & mobos being released towards the end of the year anyway.

      For controllers, I can’t see I’ll be spending money there, again because I already have a fancy schmancy HOTAS and an XBox controller. Unless they come up with some kind of gesture detection hardware, like the Leap Motion, so that you don’t need your keyboard. But eh, I can touch type, I can likely manage without that too, though it would be pretty cool. .

      Reply

      • Uberutang

        May 29, 2015 at 09:26

        I would wait and see what DX12 does before spending money. It is a game changer for CPU’s

        Reply

        • BacchusZA

          May 29, 2015 at 09:30

          Certainly good idea. I’d been thinking of DX12 more in terms of the boost to GPU performance than the CPU I must admit.
          The new series of Intel chips and mobos are supposed to be big jump forward too though, so it’ll be interesting to see how the perform & how much they cost.

          Reply

          • Uberutang

            May 29, 2015 at 09:33

            Have a look at this https://i.imgur.com/SiWFIdO.jpg

          • BacchusZA

            May 29, 2015 at 10:24

            Oy, 2.5M to 8.5M? That’s a big jump o_0

            The good news is DX12 will be out long before the new series of chips, so we’ll have plenty time to see how big a real-world difference it’ll be 🙂

  2. Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

    May 28, 2015 at 15:08

    Time to update the ol’ Win 7 😀

    Reply

  3. Pieter Kruger

    May 28, 2015 at 15:09

    Hoping Hololens will come in under R10k……..????

    Reply

  4. Krabby Paddy

    May 28, 2015 at 15:10

    It might also cost some people their lunch.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

      May 28, 2015 at 15:10

      😀

      Reply

  5. Admiral Chief's Adventure

    May 28, 2015 at 15:12

    R22k just to vomit?

    Reply

    • Pariah

      May 28, 2015 at 15:13

      LOL!!!!

      Reply

    • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

      May 28, 2015 at 15:14

      Yes, but you vomit kaleidoscopes.

      Reply

    • RinceTheElfRoot

      May 28, 2015 at 15:14

      I know, costs nothing to ask Trevor to stand next to you…

      Reply

      • Pariah

        May 28, 2015 at 15:23

        Could also ask Matt for a piece of his cake?

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 28, 2015 at 15:27

      Paris Hilton spends that on drugs and vomits

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

        May 28, 2015 at 15:27

        Looking at her is the cheap option for the rest of us.

        Reply

      • Krabby Paddy

        May 28, 2015 at 15:29

        Also for some South African’s that is easily what they spend on booze every year, same result.

        Reply

        • RinceTheElfRoot

          May 28, 2015 at 15:34

          Yeah! Every… YEAR! Haha! Ha! ha.. Ha… 0_O

          Reply

          • BacchusZA

            May 29, 2015 at 08:25

            I’ve been going through about 1k-1.5k in Scotch a month lately, which is a lot more than I should be spending, and far more than is smart to drink, especially when you compress it all into the weekends.

            But it’s not hard to hit 15-20k/pa in booze, trust me. It’s just dumb 😉

    • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

      May 29, 2015 at 07:32

      Hahahaha

      Reply

  6. Timmy_The_Good_Troll

    May 28, 2015 at 15:13

    Do we know what games will launching with this?

    Reply

    • Guild

      May 28, 2015 at 15:19

      Games? It’s launching with Pornhub

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        May 28, 2015 at 15:25

        Or as I like to call it. Saturday

        Reply

      • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

        May 28, 2015 at 15:25

        seriously does anyone know what games will be out for this. That will be the determining factor on if/when I decide to get this.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          May 28, 2015 at 15:26

          I hear Japan is making a few. With optional peripherals.

          Reply

    • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

      May 28, 2015 at 16:19

      Portal is already fully converted for the HTC (valve obviously) and 2 or 3 games have support already in including some nice early access titles like subnautica.

      Reply

  7. Timmy_The_Good_Troll

    May 28, 2015 at 15:14

    I really think the Rift will win the VR race, Face book has got piles of cash to throw at this.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      May 28, 2015 at 15:15

      I think the most affordable and effective solution will win the race. Remember, it’s about consumer adoption – not about corporate funding.

      How do you think MS got so big? Winning the consumer, that’s how.

      Reply

      • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

        May 28, 2015 at 15:17

        Hmmm I disagree this is high end stuff virtual reality. People are going to want the most hi-tech visually stunning experience. Well thats my thoughts anyway. It will also get cheaper with time.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

          May 28, 2015 at 15:18

          You might be right there. The average Joe isn’t going to buy these. The guys with money will, and they might just opt for the best they can buy.

          Reply

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            May 28, 2015 at 15:23

            In SA we are all so sensitive to price that its makes our logic on games skewed, but the average westerner has got a lot more money than the average sa gamer. In SA we moan at things that most countries dont even consider, large patches for instance, game and console prices etc

          • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

            May 28, 2015 at 15:25

            Oh, I agree. I work for a big retailer and price is ALL that it’s about. When we have meetings with our international clients they talk about how it’s so different to sell to South Africa because we’re one of the most price sensitive countries in the world.

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            May 28, 2015 at 15:27

            the sad thing is its just going to get worse for us with zuma and the rand.

          • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

            May 28, 2015 at 15:28

            It will. Sadly. Much worse. The forecasts we’re running for prices are very negative. So there’s no silver lining here yet.

          • Pariah

            May 28, 2015 at 15:29

            Remember how everyone made jokes about Zimbabwean currency being worthless? Yeah. 🙁

          • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

            May 28, 2015 at 15:30

            at least if you can save a little bit every month, dont save it in rands thats my advice. You can very easily take money offshore now.

          • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

            May 28, 2015 at 15:31

            Yes, What you said.

          • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

            May 29, 2015 at 07:36

            Talk to me about investing well. I can help 😀

        • Pariah

          May 28, 2015 at 15:19

          I want a Porsche, it’s high tech and visually stunning. And while it caters to its market, most people aren’t driving one. VW, Toyota etc.? Now that’s where the real money is.

          Reply

        • Krabby Paddy

          May 28, 2015 at 15:22

          Damn all good points. Would upvote all but that would just be contradicting … and I’m not Hammersteyn.

          Reply

        • The Sten

          May 28, 2015 at 15:23

          Its convenience that people that will eventually go for. Remember 3D? Also visually stunning, “What? I need to buy and wear glasses for everybody?….Pass”

          Reply

      • Krabby Paddy

        May 28, 2015 at 15:17

        A monopoly tends to work just as well.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          May 28, 2015 at 15:21

          They weren’t always a monopoly, but yes, yes it does. 😛

          Reply

      • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

        May 28, 2015 at 15:17

        If you can download the Steam version the convenience alone will win.

        Reply

    • Kromas,powered by windows 10.

      May 28, 2015 at 16:20

      And Valve doesn’t?

      Reply

  8. CuddlesaurusRex

    May 28, 2015 at 15:16

    If I can lay in bed with this on my face and go to my virtual office everyday then I am in!

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

      May 28, 2015 at 15:17

      If I can lay in bed with this on my face and go to my virtual office everyday WITH A MACHINE GUN, then I’m in! 😉

      Reply

      • CuddlesaurusRex

        May 28, 2015 at 15:19

        That will probably be DLC.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

          May 28, 2015 at 15:19

          😀

          Reply

        • Krabby Paddy

          May 28, 2015 at 15:24

          One that would be so worth it for many.

          Reply

    • RinceTheElfRoot

      May 28, 2015 at 15:18

      You went in a direction most didn’t think you would 0_O

      Reply

      • CuddlesaurusRex

        May 28, 2015 at 15:19

        But this site is for the more refined gamer folk is it not?!

        Reply

        • RinceTheElfRoot

          May 28, 2015 at 15:21

          Have you seen @umarbastra:disqus and his fondness of tentacles? 0_O

          Reply

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 28, 2015 at 15:22

            I just figured he really, really, REALLY liked calamari.

          • Pariah

            May 28, 2015 at 15:22

            LOL!!!

          • RinceTheElfRoot

            May 28, 2015 at 15:22

            The problem is… HE DOES 0_O

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 28, 2015 at 15:37

            I am beggining to think that this calamari relationship is not a healthy one… They said the interwebs was safe though!

          • RinceTheElfRoot

            May 28, 2015 at 15:43

            lol

        • Trevor Matrix

          May 28, 2015 at 15:46

          Eehhhhhh no.

          Reply

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 28, 2015 at 15:49

            So no fancy deli platters and grey poupon with Moet on the side then?

          • Trevor Matrix

            May 28, 2015 at 16:19

            Nope.

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 29, 2015 at 07:44

            Damn, thats unfortunate. Guess beer and cheesy poofs it is!

        • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

          May 29, 2015 at 07:37

          Lol. Poor naive person 😀

          Reply

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 29, 2015 at 07:46

            Sad but true… Maybe one day.

  9. kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

    May 28, 2015 at 15:23

    I finally see Morpheus’ selling point…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      May 28, 2015 at 15:26

      Indeed, but it better have AMAZING games if it’s gonna sell at the same price as a PS4

      Reply

      • CuddlesaurusRex

        May 28, 2015 at 15:27

        I would love to see how a game like Heavy Rain would translate into a VR set up.

        Reply

        • kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

          May 28, 2015 at 15:33

          oooooooh that would indeed be awesome, or even Until Dawn o-O

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

            May 28, 2015 at 15:34

            Horror games are going to become so crazy.

          • CuddlesaurusRex

            May 28, 2015 at 15:38

            I cant handle horror games at the best of times… I think that may lead to heart failure.

          • Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire

            May 29, 2015 at 07:38

            Or P.T!

      • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

        May 28, 2015 at 15:29

        I want to see you play The Witcher 3 with this on while walking around in those super windy areas 😀

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          May 28, 2015 at 15:35

          lol

          Reply

      • kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

        May 28, 2015 at 15:34

        Indeed, i don’t see it being the next big thing though.

        Reply

        • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

          May 28, 2015 at 15:35

          well its at least an order of magnitude better than the kinect.

          Reply

          • kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

            May 28, 2015 at 15:38

            Well………………..Anything is better than Kinect 😛

  10. Hammersteyn

    May 28, 2015 at 15:25

    That’s a lot of green for Facebook hardware O_o

    Reply

  11. Admiral Chief's Adventure

    May 28, 2015 at 15:32

  12. Timmy_The_Good_Troll

    May 28, 2015 at 15:41

    list of games, Dying Light will be fun when it gets support.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_with_Oculus_Rift_support

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Hack&Slash&Dodge

      May 28, 2015 at 15:46

      The Forest is going to be epic with it.

      Reply

      • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

        May 28, 2015 at 15:52

        Thanks I will have to check that out.

        Reply

  13. Potty391

    May 28, 2015 at 15:42

    I have a spec better than that, that I got for R16000…

    I7 4790k
    GTX 970
    8GB 2400mhz RAM
    250GB Samsung SSD
    1 TB + 3 TB storage drives.

    But regardless… I’ve played with an Oculus Rift, it’s definitely not worth the kind of money they want. As cool as VR can be, I don’t see it becoming a massively mainstream thing that everyone wants attached to their PC/console unless it becomes very cheap.

    Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      May 28, 2015 at 15:49

      R16 000 for that is ambitious, unless you’re not counting motherboard, PSU, case etc.
      if not, where the hell did you do your shopping? because those items alone come out to about R14 000 using regular prices from the usual good retailers.

      Reply

      • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

        May 28, 2015 at 15:51

        agreed, mobo, psu, case and cooling cost me R6 alone.

        Reply

        • Timmy_The_Good_Troll

          May 28, 2015 at 15:51

          R6k

          Reply

      • Potty391

        May 28, 2015 at 16:10

        I waited… And shopped specials. The fast majority I bought from Wootware.

        Reply

  14. Pieter Smal

    May 28, 2015 at 16:02

    The time for VR is not now. Too early, too expensive.

    Reply

  15. Pieter Smal

    May 28, 2015 at 16:02

    The time for VR is not now. Too early, too expensive.

    Reply

  16. Kikmi

    May 28, 2015 at 16:25

    *cough*FAD*cough*

    Reply

  17. ElimiNathan

    May 28, 2015 at 16:31

    Who doesn’t have an R9 920 or 970 equivalent ? Come on guys its 2015 😛

    Reply

  18. BacchusZA

    May 29, 2015 at 08:49

    I want one of these sooooo bad, either an OR or the Valve one. I’ll see which is the better option once both have been released, though I am leaning towards the OR for now. Hopefully they’ll be available to test at rAge this year, so people can get some hands-on experience with them.

    But the reason I want one so badly is because I play the kind of games these shine in. Elite Dangerous, flight sims like DCS & BMS, that kind of thing. I imagine they’ll work quite well in FPS games like CoD & BF, and I can well believe they’ll be amazing in driving sims like CARS & Assetto Corsa too. There’s a funny Youtube clip of some Irish guy trying Mirrors Edge on an OR. It looked to work fantastically well, incredibly immersive, but this guy is kak bang of hights, so you can imagine how well that worked out for him 😛

    But if those aren’t the kind of games you play? .I have a good idea that a VR headset is going to be a huge waste of money for you. GTA V in FPS mode looks to work *really* well, but 3rd person perspective? Newp. MOBAs? Forget it. Strategy games? Waste of time & money. Action adventure stuff, Tomb Raider & so on? Don’t even bother. MMOs? Ahahahaaha.

    I have an idea that a few years down the line publishers will start making those kind of games that are built with a VR environment in mind, and they may work really well then. But for now? They just don’t lend themselves to a VR setup.

    So I’d suggest that, before looking at the specs needed to run one, & the cost of the device itself, you first look at the kind of games that you play. Look up some youtube videos of those games & see if people have tried them on a VR device, and how well it’s implemented, if at all. And *then* start to look at the cost of a VR device, *if* you think it’s worth it for the kind of gaming you enjoy.

    Reply

  19. HairyEwok

    May 29, 2015 at 09:33

    Ill hold back on the oculus and save for the: holo omg i can watch videos while walking to the toilet to take a poop hands free.

    Reply

  20. Ghost In The Rift

    May 29, 2015 at 15:38

    22k for the next kinect, deja vu:/

    Reply

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