Is there such a thing as an optimal build configuration for VR?

[ReinD]

I don't know if anyone's asked or answered this question before, but I'm wondering if there's an optimal build for VR - the least possible amount of jitter, maximum frame rate, least likely to give you VR sickness based on performance, etc. etc.

 

I develop VR applications at work and I can spend about $10K on new hardware - desktop, laptop for portability, and both the Rift and Vive. Most of my Googles for "best desktop/laptop for VR" link to articles that are suspect at best. All they do is rattle off hardware specs without any real VR performance testing. Also note that in some Unreal Engine developer forum posts elsewhere, some claim that they have better results with the Rift versus the Vive.

 

If you have any insights, I would appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

Rein

[manikyath]

"optimally" spending more is more better.

 

but essentially, you just want to make sure the cpu can handle the VR load with ease, there's plenty of ram, and then toss the rest on a GPU.

 

as for what "the VR load" is, that depends on what you'll be doing with it

[porina]

Throwing hardware at it will get you a good experience, but I'd argue you may want the opposite in addition. Get the lowest spec system that is supposed to be able to run VR, and make sure whatever you develop works on that. I'm assuming of course, you're going for what will be generally available content. Wouldn't apply if it was custom content for specific uses.

 

On Rift vs Vive, Rift does have the lower hardware requirements. They use more software tricks to enable a usable experience out of lower spec hardware, but I'd be cautious it is not "optimal".

[ReinD]

Thanks, manikyath, porina. I will keep these things in mind.

 

As for hardware, the user will get whatever I specify, as the apps are for internal use only and run on dedicated systems.