Pairing your VR headset with a PC provides a better and more flexible VR experience than using mobile devices. You need to upgrade your graphics card to enjoy the quality images in your headset.
It can be a little expensive, and searching for the best option can be a lot more difficult, especially if you are looking for the best budget option.
Our best budget GPU is Nvidia’s MSI GeForce RTX 2070. The GPU comes with an 8GB memory for uninterrupted system performance during gaming and multitasking. The card also works at an incredible speed, an innovative MSI TWIN FROZR Thermal Design that ensures top-notch cooling all around the system.
Let us walk you through our 5 cheapest graphics cards for VR Oculus Quest 2 and what makes them stand out among a multitude of others.
5 Best And Cheapest VR Ready Graphics Card
Nvidia MSI GeForce RTX 2070
KEY SPEC:
| Video memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 256 bits |
| Maximum resolution | 7680 x 4320 |
| Boost watch | 1800 MHz / 14 Gbps |
| Recommended PSU | 650 W |
| Output | DisplayPort x 3 (V1.4) / HDMI 2.0b x 1 |
MSI GeForce is one of Nvidia’s finest graphics cards for VR and one of the affordable VR GPUs that offers more for less.
Advanced GPU: MSI GeForce is a product of NVIDIA, which makes it one of the best GPU architectures. The GPU incorporates the combination of advanced VR rendering, real-time ray tracing, and dedicated AI dedicated to a first-class realistic experience.
Premium Design: Black gunmetal grey color designs complemented with a brushed metal backplate. The exterior of the graphics card (the front and the side of the card) also has attractive RGB light effects you can customize with the MSI software to match other RGB components.
Incredible Speed: 25% faster than the original RTX 20 series and has 6 times more speed than the previous generation 10 series, as it features more clocks and cores. The GPU is best for gamers as they get to enjoy smooth gameplay with up to 240 Hz refresh rates, plus HDR and many more features.
MSI TWIN FROZR Thermal Design: The advanced MSI TWIN FROZR ensures premium cooling performance. Modern TORX Fan 3.0 with double ball bearings alongside a traditional fan blade that cools the heat sink by providing steady airflow.
The Zero FROZR technology stops the fan from working when the load has dropped to yield a quiet cooling performance.
Topnotch Performance: There are multiple layered electric highways underneath all the metals and they make up the printed circuit board. These electric highways connect all the important parts for faster and more efficient communication.
GeForce Experience: It permits users’ personalization, letting you optimize your game settings and update your drivers. You can also record and share your in-game videos, screenshots, and live streams with your friends.
Unlimited Customization Options: GeForce RTX 2070 includes software that provides unlimited customization options including mystic light functionality for a better overall experience.
Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 2060
KEY SPEC:
| Video memory | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 192 bits |
| Maximum resolution | 7680 x 4320 |
| Boost watch | 1680 MHz / 14 Gbps |
| Recommended PSU | 500 W |
| Output | DisplayPort x 3 (V1.4) / HDMI 2.0b x 1 |
Zotac GeForce RTX 2060 is also powered by the NVIDIA Turing architecture, which is one pioneer of real-time, ray tracing. The GPU offers next-generation gaming performance.
NVIDIA Turing Architecture: Zotac graphics card is an NVIDIA Turing Architecture that combined artificial intelligence, programmable shading, and real-time ray tracing.
NVIDIA Turing architecture is the first GPU that supports real-time ray tracing. Ray tracing provides a real-time experience that is beyond reach for older techniques with actual shadows, reflections, and lifelike lighting.
Compact and Durable Design: The GPU comes in a compact design that does not require too much space to fit. It is only 8.3 inches long, which makes it a perfect fit for almost any kind of system.
Advanced Cooling Technology: Icestorm 2.0, advanced cooling hardware that prevents overheating. It is also built with 3 copper heat pipes that are 6mm long and they serve the purpose of ensuring direct copper contact for optimized extraction of heat. Zotac provides a full-coverage aluminum heat sink that ensures maximum heat dissipation.
The card also has a durable wrap-around metal backplate that serves as a means of protection while merging the entire design in such a way that the back design is compatible with the one in front.
Zotac Gaming Firestorm: Firestorm that includes a minimized Intuitive user interface that is easier to operate. It allows you to adjust the Spectra lightning, monitor the hardware status, and improve its intelligence.
Optimized Air Circulation: The graphics card features a dual 90mm fan drive with static pressure optimized fans that provide better air circulation for a longer duration.
OC Scanner: The graphic card features the new OC Scanner which affords you access to the GPS with the simple press of a button.
Pros
- Double cooling quiet fans,
- Full backplate
- DLSS, and ray tracing
- Compact double slot design
Cons
- No NVLink support
MSI Radeon RX 580
KEY SPEC:
| Video memory | 8GB GDDR5 |
| Memory interface | 192 bits |
| Maximum resolution | 7680 x 4320 |
| Boost watch | 8000 MHz / 14 Gbps |
| Recommended PSU | 500 W |
| Output | DisplayPort x 3 (V1.4) / HDMI 2.0b x 1 |
MSI Radeon RX 580 ARMOR has an incredible cooling system that keeps the card at a cool temperature. It is one of our budget VR GPUs that works just perfectly as a mid-level gaming card and is great for a 1080p monitor.
Elegant Design: MSI Radeon RX 580 GPU comes in an unusual style with elegant black and white finish that gives it a unique look. If you care about aesthetics and you want something different, this is a graphics card you should go for.
Zero Frozr Technology: Zero Frozr Technology stops the fan during situations of low load, getting rid of fan noise. This means that the fan would stop when the system is not in use and during light gaming and multimedia. However, the fan will start spinning during benchmarking or intense gaming. This will help you concentrate on your game better by eliminating distractions.
MSI Afterburner Overclocking Utility: You can exercise full control over the most recognized graphics card overclocking utilities. Offering some additional features like benchmarking, video recording, and customizing fan profiles while providing a detailed overview of your hardware.
Gaming: The AMD free sync technology gets rid of display shutter, input lag, and screen tearing, providing a speedy, uninterrupted, and enjoyable gaming experience.
Armor 2X Thermal Design: The Armor 2X thermal design that features two of the award-winning MSI TORX fans, including the dispersion and traditional fan blades. Dispersion fan blade increases air dissipation to the heat sink by the intake of more airflow, while the traditional fan blade optimizes the flow of air downwards to the great heat sink under them.
The TORX fans ensure great cooling performance without making disturbing noise, all thanks to its patented blade design.
Airflow Control: The GPU is built with copper heat pipes that are infused in the baseplate for efficient cooling and have a big heat sink that is located under the dual fans.
The heat sink has multiple aluminum fins that help to reduce the heat from the GPU. Aluminum fins also provide airflow control technology to increase the flow of air towards the pipe.
4K UHD: Ultra-high resolution (UHD) that produces sharper and clear-cut pictures with delicate details during gaming by delivering four times the resolution of 1080p content.
Pros
- Great for 1080p gaming
- Working cooling technology
- Low noise
Cons
- Not good for UHD/4k monitors
GeForce GTX 1660 MSI
KEY SPEC:
| Video memory | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 192 bits |
| Maximum resolution | 7680 x 4320 |
| Boost watch | 1830 MHz / 14 Gbps |
| Recommended PSU | 500 W |
| Output | DisplayPort x 3 (V1.4) / HDMI 2.0b x 1 |
GeForce GTX 1660 MSI is a premium designed card that features the latest cooling technology for an impressive overall performance. With GeForce GTX 1660 MSI Gaming Graphics, you are sure to get more for lesser.
Classic Design: Classic black and gunmetal grey design and the backplate feature a touch of brushed metal. The external view also features RGB light effects that give it an exquisite view.
NVIDIA Turing Shaders: Turing Shaders provide a new unified memory architecture with twice the cache of older editions alongside adaptive shading technology, integer operations, concurrent execution of floating-point, and integer operations. These contribute to a cooler, faster, and more quiet gaming session.
Outstanding Overall Performance: It features ultra-fast GDDR6 memory which is two times faster than GPUs of the older generation 10 series and 50 percent faster than the original GTX 16 series.
The connection of all the major components of the system to fast-speed communication is possible via multiple layered electric highways that are located under all the metals. These electric highways make up the printed circuit board.
Frame Win Games: With GeForce GTX 1660 MSI Gaming Graphics card gives you the competitive advantage that you need to play battle Royale games. Battle Royale games require maximum FOS and this graphics card is up to the task.
Twin FROZR 7 Thermal Design: The most advanced technology for an impressive cooling performance, which is the MSI Twin FROZR thermal design.
The thermal design comes with the new TORX fan 3.0 alongside top-notch aerodynamic feats that keep the system at low temperature without making excessive noise.
Pros
- Fast and quiet performance
- Multiple monitor support
- Excellent 1080p card
- Advanced cooling technology
- Fast clock speeds
Cons
- None found
Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 5600 XT
KEY SPEC:
| Video memory | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory interface | 192 bits |
| Maximum resolution | 7680 x 4320 |
| Boost watch | 1750 MHz / 14 Gbps |
| Recommended PSU | 500 W |
| Output | DisplayPort x 3 / HDMI x 1 |
Sapphire Pulse RX 5600 XT graphics card offers remarkable performance at a low budget. It incorporates modern technology features, including Dual-X Cooling technology, RDNA architecture powered by AMD, an aluminum backplate, and other features that make it one of our best-performing options.
Advanced Architecture Extreme RDNA: The GPU incorporates AMD’S extreme RDNA architecture and comes with 6GB GDDR6 of fast speed memory and support for PCI Express 4.0, which provides optimum gaming performance and efficiency.
To boost clock of up to 1759 MHz, a game clock of 1615 MHz bandwidth, and 2304 stream processors that ensure ultra-responsive gaming up to 60 FPS on selected titles
Durable Design: Tough metal backplate that provides extra protection for the system that keeps dust and bends out while improving heat reduction for a cooler atmosphere.
Dual-X Cooling Technology: The innovative Dual-X Cooling technology ensures that the components of the GPU, including the VRM components and GPU memory, remain at a cool temperature.
Fuse Protection: The fuse protection is built into the circuit of the external PCI-E power connector.
Dual BIOS: To improves your gaming experience by allowing you to goose between the silent mode or performance mode.
Dual Ball Bearing: The GPU comes with long-lasting dual ball-bearing fans that ensure better and quieter performance compared to previous generations.
TriXX Boost Feature: TriXX Boost feature allows gamers to create extra custom resolutions such that they can run their games at lower resolutions for a better overall VR gaming performance.
Fan Quick Connect: Just in case the fan develops some fault, you can call in the Sapphire team for a replacement fan that is easy to remove, clean, and replace with the aid of a single screw.
Pros
- Cool performance
- Radeon boost works
- Great for mid-range 1440p and high-end 1080p gaming
Cons
- No overclocking potential with performance BIOS
- Long and bulky
Minimum Graphics Card for VR: Complete Overview
If you need help with getting the best GPU for VR, we have highlighted some features that you need to consider making the best likely choice:
Cooling System: A GPU, whose heat sink is in contact with the GPU, ensures a speedy and seamless transfer of heat, which keeps the system cool at all times.
Also, to enjoy the best cooling effect, go for a modern graphics card with alternate spinning fans. They have the advantage of providing better circulation of air for efficient cooling performance.
The Size and Amount of Noise: GPUs come with different numbers of fans and this might influence the amount of space it will require in a CPU. You can choose a GPU with either two or three fans depending on what your CPU can take.
Also, try to keep a close look at the alternate spinning fans. Like we said earlier, GPUs with alternate fans produce better dispersion at a quiet rate.
RAM Capacity: In choosing the best GPU for your system, you need to select one with good RAM storage. When the RAM storage is enough, the system will work and multitask smoothly. If you are a gamer, you need a GPU with at least 4 to 6GB of RAM. However, professional gamers may need more RAM storage.
If you are hoping to get the decent price graphics card for VR, an option with 6GB RAM storage would be appropriate.
FAQs
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