10 Top laptop picks for OpenVR in 2023

The virtual reality gaming world is continuously evolving as developers create better and more immersive gaming experiences. Whether you're a software developer who wants to create an amazing virtual reality experience or an avid gamer who wants to try out the latest and greatest, OpenVR is a great platform to develop and play on.

But to make sure your virtual reality experience is uninterrupted and immersive, you will need the right hardware. That's why I've made this guide to help you choose the best laptop for OpenVR.

In this guide, I will take an in-depth look at what it takes to get the best experience from OpenVR and highlight the hardware specifications you need to pay attention to. I'll also provide some practical tips and specific laptop recommendations at various price points. So, let's get to it.

Powerful Processors

Modern laptops are powered by a variety of different processors, and choosing the right one for OpenVR can be tricky. In this guide, we'll take a look at the latest chips from Intel, AMD, and Apple and see which processors are best suited for VR.

What's new in the CPU market

In recent years, the CPU market has seen quite a few changes. Apple has released its own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M2 System-on-Chip (SoC) modules, which offer impressive single-core performance and battery life. On the other side of the fence, AMD has managed to capture nearly 20% of the laptop market with its 6th generation Ryzen processors. Finally, Intel's 13th generation of processors is finally reaching laptops, although 12th generation is still the latest from the blue team.

Both Intel's and Apple's silicon chips have adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design, allowing them to offer both impressive single-thread performance and strong battery life. Ryzen models, on the other hand, are best if you need a good battery life in a PC laptop.

How VR uses the CPU

VR applications rely heavily on the CPU for all kinds of tasks, from rendering complex 3D scenes to running AI-based algorithms. The CPU is also responsible for calculating audio and physics effects, networking and networking events, AI processing, and physics simulation. In short, the CPU is an integral part of the VR experience, so it's important to make sure that you get the right one for your needs.

How much performance is needed for VR?

In terms of performance, VR applications are fairly demanding. Even with the most basic VR experience, you'll want a processor with a PassMark score of at least 6500 and a Cinebench R23 score of at least 1600. If you plan to use more intense VR applications, then you'll need a processor with even higher performance numbers.

Does a high-end CPU make sense for VR?

Generally speaking, high-end CPUs do make sense for VR applications, but only if you're willing to sacrifice battery life in favor of performance. High-end processors like Intel's 11th Gen i7 processors have higher PassMark and Cinebench R23 scores than mid-range models, so they can handle more intensive VR applications. However, they also draw more power and generate more heat, so battery life tends to suffer.

My recommendations for VR-ready processors

When it comes to choosing a processor for VR applications, my recommendations are as follows:

• Minimum: Intel i3-1115G4
• Recommended: Intel i5-10310U
• High-end: Intel i7-1180G7

Ultimately, the choice will depend on your budget and needs. If you want maximum performance and don't care about battery life, then go for the high-end option. Otherwise, if you want a good balance of performance and battery life, then go with one of the mid-range options.

Vivid Visuals

The laptop graphics market is dominated by Nvidia. The company recently released its RTX 40 series, but these are not yet available on laptops. The latest laptop graphics cards are in Nvidia's RTX 30 series, such as the RTX 3070 Ti.

Desktop GPUs are now a lot more power-hungry than before, so the gap between desktop graphics and notebook graphics has widened in the past few years. Nvidia has also discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, leaving the exact GPU wattage to be determined by the laptop manufacturer (OEM). This can lead to a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.

A dedicated GPU is required for VR, so an integrated graphics chip is out of the question. The requirements for a laptop GPU are more stringent than for desktop GPUs, as they must support a higher framerate with less latency.

Nvidia and AMD offer different lines of graphics cards with varying performance levels and power consumption levels. The RTX series from Nvidia is designed for high-end laptops that can handle cutting-edge raytracing effects in games, but it comes at the cost of battery life and thermals. Meanwhile, the Nvidia Max-Q series is designed for ultrabooks that prioritize battery life over performance. Finally, the regular Nvidia series falls somewhere in between these two extremes.

When comparing graphics cards for gaming laptops, 3DMark benchmarks can be used to compare different GPUs side by side. However, these tests don't always accurately reflect real-world gaming performance because some laptop manufacturers underclock their GPUs to improve battery life or reduce heat output (which can cause throttling). In addition, some laptops have thermal limitations that prevent them from reaching their full potential even when they're not throttled due to power delivery limitations or CPU/GPU contention issues.

To ensure a laptop doesn't throttle its dedicated graphics card, make sure it has enough power delivery (or wattage) allocated to its graphics card. This will ensure it reaches its full potential.

Recommended GPUs for OpenVR Laptops

Below is a list of recommended GPUs for various price ranges:

• Minimum: GeForce GTX 1650
• Recommended: GeForce RTX 3050
• High-end: GeForce RTX 2060

Memory Matters

Using virtual reality (VR) applications on your laptop requires a lot of memory and the right type of RAM. While most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end machines offer 32 GB or more, the latest Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.

It’s important to consider the performance of your laptop in case you decide to upgrade your graphics card in the future, as more RAM may be needed for the added power. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop with a high refresh rate panel, you might have to sacrifice some memory capacity for it. Laptops are often limited in upgradability, so make sure you get enough memory from the start.

When looking for the right laptop RAM, the minimum requirement is 8 GB. 16 GB is recommended and 32 GB is recommended for high-end gaming laptops. You'll also want to consider latency, frequency, and other factors when choosing RAM chips.

At the entry level (under $700 USD), you can expect to find 8 GB of RAM. For $700-$1000 USD range laptops, you can expect 12-16 GB of RAM. For laptops in the $1000-$1500 USD range, expect 16-32 GB RAM. Finally, for laptops over $1500 USD you can expect 32 GB or more of RAM.

In short, getting enough RAM from the start is important for a smooth OpenVR experience. Keep in mind the potential for upgrading your graphics card, so if possible buy more RAM than you need now. DDR4 is the most cost-efficient solution for the majority of gamers, while DDR5 could be a good option for those wanting to squeeze out every bit of performance from their laptop.

OpenVR FAQs

What laptop is best for OpenVR?

It depends on your budget and requirements. Our recommendation table above provides options for every price range and specs requirement.

What laptop specs do I need for OpenVR?

To run OpenVR, you'll need at least 8GB of RAM, an i3 processor, and a dedicated GPU, such as the GeForce GTX 1650.

Can I play OpenVR on a laptop?

Yes, it is possible to play OpenVR on a laptop. You should ensure that your laptop meets the minimum specs requirements mentioned above.

How to choose a laptop for OpenVR?

It is important to look at the laptop specs and decide what kind of performance you need. A minimum of 8GB RAM, an i3 processor, and a dedicated GPU, such as the GeForce GTX 1650, are required to run OpenVR. Consider what your budget is and decide on the specs that best fit your needs.

Do I need a gaming laptop to run OpenVR?

No, you don't need a gaming laptop to run OpenVR. As long as your laptop meets the minimum specs requirements, you will be able to play OpenVR.

Does OpenVR require a dedicated GPU?

Yes, OpenVR requires a dedicated GPU for best performance. We recommend a GeForce GTX 1650 or better for optimal performance.

Is RTX 3070 enough for playing OpenVR?

Yes, the RTX 3070 is more than enough for playing OpenVR. It is the recommended GPU for OpenVR.

Is an i7 processor necessary to play OpenVR?

No, an i7 processor is not necessary to play OpenVR. A minimum of an i3 processor is required to run OpenVR.

Which graphics card is best for OpenVR?

The GeForce RTX 3070 is the best graphics card for OpenVR.

What minimum RAM is required to play OpenVR?

The minimum RAM required to play OpenVR is 8GB.

Finding the Perfect OpenVR Laptop Match

5 Best Laptops for OpenVR

Table of the Best Laptops for OpenVR

Laptop	Price (approx)
HP Victus 15t	$730
HP Victus 15t	$900
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro	$1,350
GIGABYTE AORUS 15 XE4	$1,600
MSI Titan GT77	$5,500