Microsoft has revealed the minimum system requirements to run VR experiences on Windows 10 by way of the Windows Holographic First Run application, which came with the recently released Insider Preview build 14971.
That said, everyone now has a better idea of what the Redmond company has in store aside from the VR headsets starting at $300 — and that a slew of different brands from Acer to Lenovo will manufacture them — and support for the Windows Holographic VR platform arriving via the Windows 10 Creators Update next year.
Windows Holographic First Run Shows That Modest Computers Can Handle Windows 10 VR
First reported by Tom Warren of The Verge, the minimum system requirements include 4 GB worth of RAM, a graphics card that supports DirectX 12, a USB 3.0 port and four CPU cores, which a dual-core processor with hyper threading can take the place of.
Microsoft will likely give out the exact details in the foreseeable future, including the CPU and GPU speeds.
At any rate, that means practically anyone with a midrange PC and at least $300 to spare for a headset can jump right on the VR bandwagon without burning a hole through their pockets.
However, the problem is, it's still unclear what kind of apps and games can be developed following that low level of processing power.
Also, take note that meeting the minimum system requirements doesn't necessarily equal to a fluid experience, as it's just the baseline to run the platform.
A Short Comparison With The Oculus Rift And The HTC Vive
It's no mystery that the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive can deliver great and detailed VR experiences, and needless to say, their minimum system requirements are on a different level compared with what Microsoft is bringing to the table.
On that note, users will need at least an Intel Core i5 4590 or AMD FX 8350 and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290.
While the Oculus Rift requires 8 GB of RAM and two USB 3.0 ports, the HTC Vive only needs 4 GB of RAM and one USB 2.0 port.
However, it should be pointed out that Oculus recently rolled out Asynchronous Spacewarp, a technology that lets the VR headset compatible with more affordable rigs, making it work with a GTX 1060 or any AMD RX 400 series GPU and a Core i3 chip.
Wrapping Up The Windows 10 VR
The low specifications needed to support Microsoft's Windows 10 VR platform are a good way for enthusiasts on a budget to step into the VR scene, and even though there still aren't that many details yet, the company is expected to provide more info at an event in December.
