Question 7900XT/XTX for PC VR gaming. Thoughts?

[Aapje]

I think the Valve Index is a good bet for PCVR. Unfortunately, price is too high.

I think you are way, way, way better off spending $550 on a Quest 3 + BoboVR M3 Pro & $450 extra on your GPU than $999 on an Index.

To me it definitely feels like there is something missing for simmers that is a bit less hardcore and stripped down like the Bigscreen Beyond, but lighter and better quality than the Pimax Crystal. So my suggestion would be to not spend too much for now and get the Quest 3, which is a jack of all trades, because there really is no master of one right now.

 

[CP5670]

Yeah the Quest 3 does look like the best all round deal, and it has more of a future than anything pc based. The Index has outdated resolution and is too expensive at this point.

 

[manly]

Which is a real shame coz VR rocks! Nothing like actually losing yourself in the immersiveness of a game or even just a 2D movie playing on a large virtual screen just inches from your eyes. Been using the Vive Flow to watch movies daily now. Despite the lower resolution, it's more engaging and some movie scenes look spectacular. Not sure why but maybe coz they are meant to be viewed on a really large screen.

Also easier to carry around than a Japanese AI doll .

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Alyx is not actually that hard to run. It's optimized very well and was perfectly playable even on a 1660 Super. It's really VR simming that can be very demanding.

Is it any good on AMD though? Got a 6700 XT and i5-12400F and kind of tempted to buy a Quest 2 now that they're down to $250.

Also, what kind of VR sim games are you talking about that murder gpus? Driving sims? Flight sims? Love doll sims?

 

[CP5670]

I play Project cars 2, Dirt Rally 3, Grip, Elite Dangerous and Freespace (an older game that runs much better in VR). I haven't played FS2020 or DCS but they are supposed to be even more demanding in VR. I would love to have a Forza-style open world game in VR, but nothing like that exists.

 

[Aapje]

Is it any good on AMD though? Got a 6700 XT and i5-12400F and kind of tempted to buy a Quest 2 now that they're down to $250.

Alyx will run great on the 6700 XT. I rate the game as a must-play experience that is among the very best gaming experiences I've ever had.

Lone Echo I and II are also extremely good games, if you ignore/accept a little jank (mainly for the completionists).

Other than that it quickly becomes very personal and plenty of people get bored of the headset while others absolutely love it. The question is also how much $250 + getting VR games is to you.

I would suggest trying out some of the top tier standalone games, like Beat Saber & Synth Riders, although both really shine with modding (which is much easier with Synth Riders). Modding also makes them great value since you get a ton of songs to play for free.

Puzzling Places is also a very nice game if you want something relaxing.

If you like adventures then The Room VR was one of the best adventures I've ever played (with pretty much all solutions actually making sense, but not being too easy, which is very rare for adventures).

Also, what kind of VR sim games are you talking about that murder gpus? Driving sims? Flight sims? Love doll sims?

MSFS in VR will smash that 6700 XT into the ground and stomp on your CPU as well for good measure. I wouldn't even bother with that title.

IL2 and DCS are borderline, depending on what you consider acceptable. And you will need to tune everything very carefully (there are guides).

Assetto Corsa is also borderline.

Dirt Rally 2 should be tunable to work well enough.

VTOL VR will run very well, but the graphics are mediocre.

PS. most VR simming is tinker city, so don't expect to things to work out of the box

PS2. The headstrap of the Quest 2 is beyond atrocious and getting a replacement like the BoboVR headstrap is IMO a must.

 

[CP5670]

Alyx is also the platform for some excellent mods that could have been commercial games in their own right. If you liked the game, try out Levitation and Gunman Contracts.

 

[moonbogg]

I got the 4070Ti Super. I feel sick and dirty. Terrible value card and designed specifically to force me up to the 4080, but I refused to pay a cent more as this was already bad enough. The 4070 Super isn't good because of the small bus width and lack of Ram. AMD isn't a reliable option for PCVR, otherwise it would have been the 7900XT easily. I was put in a uniquely bad spot with nowhere to go, so I did what had to be done to end the pain. The Ti Super has a decent bus width for higher resolutions, enough performance and Ram, and Nvidia works more reliably for VR. It was the best from a list of bad options. So that's it.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Let us know how it does in VR.

 

[blckgrffn]

I got the 4070Ti Super. I feel sick and dirty. Terrible value card and designed specifically to force me up to the 4080, but I refused to pay a cent more as this was already bad enough. The 4070 Super isn't good because of the small bus width and lack of Ram. AMD isn't a reliable option for PCVR, otherwise it would have been the 7900XT easily. I was put in a uniquely bad spot with nowhere to go, so I did what had to be done to end the pain. The Ti Super has a decent bus width for higher resolutions, enough performance and Ram, and Nvidia works more reliably for VR. It was the best from a list of bad options. So that's it.

What was the nail in the coffin for the 7900XT for you? Was there are particular application or hardware detail?

I get going with the "least likely to suck" option though. VR isn't mainstream enough to really get everything ironed out.

I've had generally great luck with my Oculus and 6800. But, I've really only used it as technology demonstrator. The biggest issue is the USB compatibility in my experience, but if you can go wireless that's the dream. Supposedly even mine can using remote desktop apps and I have Wifi 6 deployed but that just seems like more onion layers. I have the official oculus USBC cable and a longer 3rd party one and that's enough for now. I need to finish Alyx, it was very intense, I can't play more than about 30-40 minutes at a stretch...

 

[gdansk]

I still can't believe moonbogg bought a graphics card.

 

[igor_kavinski]

I still can't believe moonbogg bought a graphics card.

He's my kindred spirit. He thinks like me. I too would plop down my cash on the 4070 Ti Super if I didn't have a 3090 already.

 

[CropDuster]

I have 6900XT that has worked well with my G2. Unfortunately it crapped out and now I'm looking at the Varjo Aero to replace it which only supports Nvidia. 4080 Super it will be I guess.

 

[dr1337]

Varjo Aero to replace it which only supports Nvidia

Why would they do that? I can't even find anything on google about why AMD isn't supported. Literally no technical reason at all.

Just another one of those instances where sponsorships are only evil when the smaller companies do it I guess. Its especially stupid since it runs steamVR and everything.

 

[CropDuster]

Why would they do that? I can't even find anything on google about why AMD isn't supported. Literally no technical reason at all.

Just another one of those instances where sponsorships are only evil when the smaller companies do it I guess. Its especially stupid since it runs steamVR and everything.

Something to do with using nvencoding. I didn't realize it until after I bought it and went to to install the software so that was a rude awakening. Varjo does state that on their system requirements page, but I never thought of that even being an issue.

 

[blckgrffn]

haha, but at least that headset only needs a potato of a CPU

4-core CPU One of the following or better: Intel Core i5-4590 Intel Xeon E5-1620 AMD Ryzen 5 1500X

System requirements for Varjo Aero

On this page, you can find the detailed system requirements for Varjo Aero.

varjo.com

Looks cool and I am all about staying away from Meta, bummer they can't use the advanced encoders on even the newest AMD cards.

 

[Aapje]

I have 6900XT that has worked well with my G2. Unfortunately it crapped out and now I'm looking at the Varjo Aero to replace it which only supports Nvidia. 4080 Super it will be I guess.

The Varjo Aero is no longer being produced and you can only get whatever stock remains at resellers. Software support will end in two years.

I would personally just keep that 6900 XT and go for the Quest 3 for now. It will save you a lot of money and you can stick it out until the price/perf gets better.

 

[CropDuster]

The Varjo Aero is no longer being produced and you can only get whatever stock remains at resellers. Software support will end in two years.

I would personally just keep that 6900 XT and go for the Quest 3 for now. It will save you a lot of money and you can stick it out until the price/perf gets better.

I only play DCS and IL2, so not dealing with a battery and wanted an upgrade in resolution. Definitely not happy with the $$ outlay but that's a price of sims.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Unfortunately it crapped out

How does a VR headset crap out? Some chip in it failed?

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Alyx will run great on the 6700 XT. I rate the game as a must-play experience that is among the very best gaming experiences I've ever had.

Lone Echo I and II are also extremely good games, if you ignore/accept a little jank (mainly for the completionists).

Other than that it quickly becomes very personal and plenty of people get bored of the headset while others absolutely love it. The question is also how much $250 + getting VR games is to you.

I would suggest trying out some of the top tier standalone games, like Beat Saber & Synth Riders, although both really shine with modding (which is much easier with Synth Riders). Modding also makes them great value since you get a ton of songs to play for free.

Puzzling Places is also a very nice game if you want something relaxing.

If you like adventures then The Room VR was one of the best adventures I've ever played (with pretty much all solutions actually making sense, but not being too easy, which is very rare for adventures).

MSFS in VR will smash that 6700 XT into the ground and stomp on your CPU as well for good measure. I wouldn't even bother with that title.

IL2 and DCS are borderline, depending on what you consider acceptable. And you will need to tune everything very carefully (there are guides).

Assetto Corsa is also borderline.

Dirt Rally 2 should be tunable to work well enough.

VTOL VR will run very well, but the graphics are mediocre.

PS. most VR simming is tinker city, so don't expect to things to work out of the box

PS2. The headstrap of the Quest 2 is beyond atrocious and getting a replacement like the BoboVR headstrap is IMO a must.

One thing I don't get at all about VR: how is old school emulation such a big thing on it now? I see people saying playing N64 in a recreation of their bedroom with 90s posters on the wall is the killer app in VR. Or playing MAME in a VR arcade.

DCS looks really cool but I'm too fu... darn old to even want to tweak it to play normal much less VR.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I got the 4070Ti Super. I feel sick and dirty. Terrible value card and designed specifically to force me up to the 4080, but I refused to pay a cent more as this was already bad enough. The 4070 Super isn't good because of the small bus width and lack of Ram. AMD isn't a reliable option for PCVR, otherwise it would have been the 7900XT easily. I was put in a uniquely bad spot with nowhere to go, so I did what had to be done to end the pain. The Ti Super has a decent bus width for higher resolutions, enough performance and Ram, and Nvidia works more reliably for VR. It was the best from a list of bad options. So that's it.

LOL I felt similar paying $380 for a 6700 XT two Black Fridays back for what was an RX 580, maybe even 570 tier of card for the generation. Buying gpus is almost as rage inducing as buying groceries these days.

 

[Aapje]

One thing I don't get at all about VR: how is old school emulation such a big thing on it now? I see people saying playing N64 in a recreation of their bedroom with 90s posters on the wall is the killer app in VR. Or playing MAME in a VR arcade.

I'm just wondering how in the world you got the idea that this is true. I'm not at all seeing this in the VR community.

It would be weird if you wouldn't have a few people trying to recreate something that was so important to them in their youths like arcades, but it really seems like a tiny niche.

The one thing that I see a lot more, but what seems still very confined to enthusiasts, is getting older 3D games to run in VR, like DOOM and such. This is so hardcore gamers have more to play and these older games are easier to run as well.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I'm just wondering how in the world you got the idea that this is true. I'm not at all seeing this in the VR community.

It would be weird if you wouldn't have a few people trying to recreate something that was so important to them in their youths like arcades, but it really seems like a tiny niche.

The one thing that I see a lot more, but what seems still very confined to enthusiasts, is getting older 3D games to run in VR, like DOOM and such. This is so hardcore gamers have more to play and these older games are easier to run as well.

Forgot about that angle. I bet Doom 3 would be pretty great in VR. Or Half Life 2. Has there been any modding to play RE7 in PCVR? Or RE8? And if so how is the experience? Would be tempted to play some Skyrim too but can't imagine a 200 hour game in VR.

 

[Aapje]

Forgot about that angle. I bet Doom 3 would be pretty great in VR. Or Half Life 2. Has there been any modding to play RE7 in PCVR? Or RE8? And if so how is the experience?

Doom 3 VR:

Doom3Quest on SideQuest - Oculus Quest Games & Apps including AppLab Games ( Oculus App Lab )

The HorrorAction Masterpiece on Oculus Quest**Now with dynamic shadows unlocked!** <br>Watch the shadows teaser trailer:https://youtube.com/shorts/KAoJfdauxE?si=yBLjjxKXcherLx87 <br>Something went terribly wrong at the UAC base on Mars, and now only one man stands between hell and earth! Teach...

sidequestvr.com

Half-life 2 VR:

Half-Life 2: VR Mod on Steam

Half Life 2: VR Mod is a fan-made project, which adds full Virtual Reality support to the original 2004 PC gaming classic by Valve Software. Are you ready to become the Freeman?

store.steampowered.com

Episode One:

Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode One on Steam

Return as Gordon Freeman in a new VR adventure to City 17 and beyond. Deal with the consequences of your actions in Half-Life 2 with this community-made adaptation of Episode One to glorious roomscale Virtual Reality!

store.steampowered.com

And Episode Two:

Half-Life 2: VR Mod - Episode Two on Steam

Prepare for unforeseen consequences as you traverse the White Forest and battle the Combine forces as Gordon Freeman in this community-made adaptation of Episode Two to glorious roomscale Virtual Reality!

store.steampowered.com

Resident Evil 7 & 8 VR:

GitHub - praydog/REFramework: Scripting platform, modding framework and VR support for all RE Engine games

Scripting platform, modding framework and VR support for all RE Engine games - GitHub - praydog/REFramework: Scripting platform, modding framework and VR support for all RE Engine games

github.com

There is also an official VR version of RE8, but only for PSVR2.

I haven't played these yet, but the Half-life ones are on the (long) list of games still to play.

 

[CropDuster]

How does a VR headset crap out? Some chip in it failed?

The early HP Reverbs had issues with cables, and in my case where the DP cable plugs into the circuit board itself seemed to have a lot of tension put on it. I got 4 years out of it so I'm not complaining too much. Think it was all finally fixed on the G2V2.

Reverb Gen 1 (mine)
Reverb G2 V1
Reverb G2 V2