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Windows 10 VR Headset Minimum PC Specs Revealed

Microsoft reveals what kind of PC you'll need to power those $299 VR headsets it promised.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Microsoft announced in August that every Windows 10 PC will support mixed reality as part of its Creator's Update, slated to launch next year. The company also tipped a new set of VR headsets from companies including HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer, designed to work with Windows 10.

Microsoft stated those headsets will start at $299, and now we have some info about the PC specs required to power your Windows 10 virtual reality adventures.

According to the folks over at The Verge, Microsoft has included a new "Windows Holographic Fast Run" app in the latest builds of Windows 10 that lets you test whether your machine makes the cut. Fortunately, you won't need a super-expensive PC.

According to the report, you'll need a PC with 4GB of RAM, a UBS 3.0 port, a graphics card with DirecX 12 support, and a quad-core CPU (which means most Core i5 and Core i7 processors should suffice). If your machine meets those minimum requirements, you should be all set to play most experiences.

Of course, meeting the minimum hardware requirements doesn't mean you'll have the best experience, it just means virtual reality experiences and games will run. Higher performing hardware will enhance the visuals by allowing more effects to be turned on.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's Creator's Update, shipping to everyone for free this spring, will allow any computer running the OS to support Windows Holographic shell, the platform that powers the company's HoloLens augmented reality headset. Microsoft in August opened up HoloLens orders to the general public, but at $3,000 a pop, it's certainly not cheap.

We should hear more about the new, more affordable VR headsets for Windows 10 next month, so stay tuned.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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