Although VR gaming has had a slow start, it’s quickly becoming particularly popular. In contrast, PC gaming has been a staple for decades, giving us many classics and a degree of customization that’s hard to duplicate on consoles.
But with the advent of VR gaming, many people wonder if that top spot might change soon.
Which Is Better: PC Gaming Or VR?
PC gaming is better than VR. The affordability and broad access to many games make playing games using a PC better. VR gaming is significantly more limited; however, it brings a level of immersion that’s hard to duplicate, making it the preferred platform for some gamers.
It’ll be a long time before VR gaming has a shot at coming close to the market share that conventional PC gaming does, mainly due to accessibility.
As most households already have PCs or computers, gaming on them is simply a matter of downloading the games a person wants to play.
Conversely, VR gaming usually requires a suite of equipment specifically for VR.
This is a considerable barrier to entry for most people as they’d rather spend that money on a traditional console like a PlayStation or Xbox.
Are VR Games Better On PC?
VR games are better on PC. Standalone VR games that can be played without a PC bring mobility and greater freedom; however, they sacrifice a significant amount of performance as you’ll usually have to depend solely on your headset’s capabilities.
As with many things gaming-related, there is quite a bit of nuance involved.
Objectively, PC gaming is far better if your primary concern is performance. Standalone VR headsets are the alternative to PC VR, forgoing a PC requirement for a greater degree of freedom and mobility.
The trade-off is that forgoing a PC also means forgoing its processing power. It’d be almost impossible to fit the graphical and processing capabilities of even a mid-range gaming PC on a VR headset.
This difference in performance is usually glaring once you compare both.
PC VR tends to have better color, more fleshed-out textures, intricate designs, and an overall more immersive experience. That said, standalone VR has its merits as well.
Mobility might seem like a minor benefit, but when you consider that mobile gaming holds the largest market share by a significant margin, the picture becomes a little clearer.
In a world where people are constantly on the move, having a VR experience you can take anywhere you want can be a benefit that tips the scale for many people.
As a result, it’s difficult to say that PC VR is the best unequivocally.
Some people prefer the ease of use that comes with Standalone VR headsets where others prefer the power and detail that comes with a gaming PC.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Do you opt for performance or mobility?
Regardless, it’s important to understand just what type of gaming PC you’ll need if you choose the PC VR route.
Can Any Gaming PC Do VR?
Not all gaming PCs can do VR. Although some games on the lower end take advantage of a low-spec PC, many VR games will not run correctly or at all. The most important thing to have is a good GPU that can handle parallel processing efficiently if you want your gaming PC to run VR games smoothly.
As with any gaming-related program, your GPU is essential when playing in VR.
I’d recommend at least a GTX 970 to start, but this is the bare minimum. You’d get much better mileage from a more powerful 6GB chip like a GTX 1060.
Although the 970 will run a decent number of games, you’ll eventually start to run into problems, especially with more demanding games.
The 1060 is a much better bet and is relatively future-proof for the next few years.
Do You Need a PC To Play VR?
You do not need a PC to play VR. There are various ways to play VR without a PC such as with a standalone VR device, with a phone, or on a console.
VR gaming is far from the stiff headset-bound activity it was at its inception.
Although PCs are still arguably the most powerful way to take advantage of VR tech, there are quite a few other ways you can engage.
Here’s a rundown of those alternatives:
Standalone VR
Standalone VR headsets are the best option for people looking to purchase a VR headset just for VR. As they mainly don’t require additional equipment, you’re always ready to go as long as you have a headset.
The problem with standalone VR is its performance. The absence of a PC or console here means that you’re stuck with your headset’s onboard specs.
For people used to running games at max graphics and 144Hz, it can be challenging to adjust.
Phone VR
Mobile gaming has become particularly prevalent in recent years. With big titles like Apex Legends and Call of Duty making their way to the platform, it’s no surprise that there’s a home for VR there too.
The difference with mobile VR is that, unlike other options, many mobile VR headsets are little more than “holders” for your phone, which does most of the work.
That said, these headsets still add to the experience with dynamic audio, game optimization, and controller support.
Console VR
This type of VR requires gaming consoles to work with the VR headset. As it stands, the Playstation and Nintendo Switch are the only consoles with any real VR support.
This situation is particularly surprising considering Microsoft’s Xbox is well known for being a trailblazer and aggressively expanding its offerings.
But with the recent acquisition of companies like Bethesda (which has a VR game out already), an Xbox VR announcement might not be too far-fetched.
Now if you have VR, and your friends are still stuck on PC or console, then you will want to check out my article here where I go over the best PC vs VR games available today.
On the list you be sure to find a game that you and your friends can play together regardless of the platform. These games are fun because they allow both VR and PC players to play together.
If you have any questions, or just want to hang with me, follow me on Twitch here. Also, for streaming tips and how to’s make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel here.
Sources
- Italk Telecom UK: The future of VR gaming
- PCGamesN: VR is 7 times more demanding of your PC than 1080p gaming, say NVIDIA
- Bloomberg: How do I check my PC hardware specifications?
- VISARTECH: Why You Should Give Up on PC VR and Focus on Standalone VR Apps
- Road To VR: How to tell if your PC is VR ready?
- Upload VR: Best VR Games Of All-Time: 25 Titles To Play Now
- IGN: The 25 Best PC Games to Play Right Now
Eric streams 3 days a week on Twitch and uploads weekly to Youtube under the moniker, StreamersPlaybook. He loves gaming, PCs, and anything else related to tech. He’s the founder of the website StreamersPlaybook and loves helping people answer their streaming, gaming, and PC questions.
