Are you looking to buy or build a new gaming PC for virtual reality? I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 CPUs for VR gaming today so that you can play any virtual reality game you want.
The CPU is the brain behind your setup and handles all major processing for VR games. It works hand-in-hand with your VR graphics card.
The best CPU for VR gaming ensures your graphics card is always well-fed with frames and working to its utmost potential. It’s also a worthy investment for non-VR tasks: creative work, editing, and streaming. I’ll break down all of our picks for best CPUs for VR gaming below.
Not sure what some of these fancy CPU terms mean? Below, I summarize some of the most important specifications to consider when looking at a recommended CPU for virtual reality.
Related: Check out the best GPU for VR (Graphics Processing Unit)
What is the Best CPU for VR?
Depending on how much you want to spend and whether you want to play demanding games or not, check out one of these CPUs:
- Intel Core i9-13900K (Best CPU for VR)
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (Best Value CPU for VR)
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (Best Multi-Threaded CPU for VR)
- Intel Core i7-13700K (Best Mid-Range CPU for VR)
- Intel Core i5-13400F (Best Budget CPU for VR)
What is a CPU?
The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of your computer. It’s the most prominent piece to your gaming PC ecosystem. All decisions and information flow from the CPU to other parts of your computer.
The two leading CPU manufacturers are Intel and AMD. Intel’s gaming CPU chips are all built into its i-line, while the AMD promotes its Ryzen brand for gaming.
The CPU comes in a bunch of different configurations depending on what specifications are important to you. Some CPUs are optimized for gaming, while others are better for completing productivity tasks. A good gaming CPU is able to communicate flawlessly with the computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU). It has to be able to render scenes and handle controller interaction, motion, and AI.
CPU Requirements For Virtual Reality Gaming
If you look at the minimum hardware requirements for a VR game, you’ll know what your PC specifications need to be.
Half Life: Alyx VR CPU Requirements
Half Life: Alyx recommends at minimum the Intel Core i5-7500 or the Ryzen 5 1600 for VR headsets.
These two CPU for VR meet the following specifications:
Intel Core i5-7500
- 4 cores
- 4 threads
- Base frequency of 3.4 GHz and turbo of 3.8 GHz
- 6 MB smart cache
Ryzen 5 1600
- 6 cores
- 12 threads
- Base frequency of 3.2 GHz and turbo of 3.6 GHz
- 3 MB smart cache
Microsoft Flight Simulator VR CPU Requirements
While these two CPU above will be good for Half Life today, requirements change each time more demanding games come out. For example, Microsoft Flight Simulator came out more recently and it has the following recommended requirements:
Intel Core i9-9900K
- 8 Cores
- 16 Threads
- Base Frequency of 3.6 GHz and turbo of 5.0 GHz
- 16 MB Smart Cache
Our list of CPU for VR below contains 5 options that exceed these minimum requirements. You’ll be able to run any VR game on most VR headsets for the next few years.
Intel Core i9-13900K (Best CPU for VR)
Unboxing the Intel Core i9-13900K, I immediately felt the excitement of upgrading to what many consider the best CPU for VR. With 24 cores and 32 threads, and a turbo frequency of 5.8 GHz, this high-end CPU is tailored for demanding VR gaming. The 36 MB cache and high clock speed were key specs I focused on, knowing that VR games like “Half-Life: Alyx” and “Microsoft Flight Simulator VR” would benefit from the single-core performance and multiple cores offered by this Intel Core CPU.
Installation was seamless on my ASUS ROG Strix Z790-A motherboard paired with 32GB of DDR5 RAM. Upon booting up my operating system, I connected my Meta Quest 3 VR headset and launched Steam VR. The VR performance was outstanding. In “Half-Life: Alyx,” the gameplay was incredibly smooth, with a steady frame rate and no lag, even on ultra settings.
“Elite Dangerous VR” showcased the CPU’s ability to handle complex calculations and graphics processing, maintaining fluid performance during intense space battles. However, while testing “Microsoft Flight Simulator VR,” I observed that the CPU’s temperature spiked, highlighting the need for a robust cooling system. Despite this, the Intel Core i9-13900K proved to be the right CPU for VR developers and enthusiasts seeking top-tier gaming performance and future-proofing their setup.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D (Best Value CPU for VR)
The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D caught my attention with its impressive specs for VR gaming, particularly its 3D V-Cache technology. This AMD CPU features 8 cores, 16 threads, and a base clock of 4.2 GHz, boosting up to 5.0 GHz. The 96 MB of L3 cache promised significant improvements in VR performance, making it ideal for developing virtual reality content and enhancing VR experiences.
After installing the Ryzen 7 7800X3D into my ASRock X670E Taichi motherboard with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, I connected my Meta Quest 3 VR headset. Launching Steam VR and diving into “Half-Life: Alyx,” I was impressed by the seamless gameplay and high frame rate. The extensive cache ensured smooth transitions and reduced latency, crucial for immersive VR gaming.
In “No Man’s Sky VR,” the CPU maintained fluid performance across expansive virtual environments. However, in “The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners,” the CPU ran a bit hotter, necessitating a high-performance cooler. Despite this, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D stands out as a top choice for VR gaming, offering good performance with minimal drawbacks.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X (Best Multi-Threaded CPU for VR)
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, with its 12 cores, 24 threads, and a boost clock of up to 4.8 GHz, seemed like the perfect CPU upgrade for VR gaming. This AMD CPU is known for its excellent multi-threaded performance, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks, especially in virtual reality.
I installed the Ryzen 9 5900X into my MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk motherboard with 32GB of DDR4 RAM and connected my Meta Quest 3. In Steam VR, “Half-Life: Alyx” ran smoothly, with the CPU handling AI and physics calculations effortlessly. The gameplay was fluid, and the frame rate remained stable, ensuring a great VR experience.
Playing “Beat Saber,” the high core count provided synchronized and responsive gameplay. However, “Star Wars: Squadrons VR” revealed the need for a robust cooling solution as the CPU temperatures rose. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X delivers good VR performance and is a solid choice for those looking to balance gaming and multitasking needs.
Intel Core i7-13700K (Best Mid-Range CPU for VR)
Unboxing the Intel Core i7-13700K, I was excited to test this CPU, known for balancing performance and efficiency. With 16 cores (8 Performance + 8 Efficient), 24 threads, and a max turbo frequency of 5.4 GHz, this Intel Core CPU seemed ideal for modern gaming and VR applications.
After installing it on my ASUS ROG Strix Z690-E motherboard with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, I connected my Meta Quest 3 VR headset and launched Steam VR. “Half-Life: Alyx” showcased the CPU’s capabilities, maintaining a steady frame rate and providing a smooth VR experience. The combination of high clock speed and multiple cores handled the game’s demands well.
In “No Man’s Sky VR,” the CPU’s performance and efficiency cores ensured fluid gameplay even during resource-heavy moments. However, in “Flight Simulator VR,” occasional thermal throttling highlighted the need for a better cooling setup. Overall, the Intel Core i7-13700K offers good performance for VR gaming, making it a versatile and powerful option for both gaming and other demanding tasks.
Intel Core i5-13400F (Best Budget CPU for VR)
Unboxing the Intel Core i5-13400F, I was intrigued to see how this budget-friendly CPU would perform in VR gaming. With 10 cores (6 Performance + 4 Efficient), 16 threads, and a max turbo frequency of 4.6 GHz, it seemed promising for a cost-effective VR setup.
I installed the CPU into my Gigabyte Z690 AORUS PRO motherboard with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and connected my Meta Quest 3. Launching Steam VR, I started with “Half-Life: Alyx.” The Intel Core i5-13400F maintained smooth gameplay with a stable frame rate at medium to high settings, providing a solid VR experience.
“Beat Saber” was another highlight, with the CPU handling the fast-paced action without any issues. However, “Elite Dangerous VR” revealed some performance dips during graphically intense moments, expected from a more budget-friendly CPU. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Intel Core i5-13400F offers great value for VR gaming, making it an excellent choice for those seeking good performance without a high-end price tag.
Common CPU Terms
You can buy any of these CPUs for VR above and you’ll be future proof for playing virtual reality. If you want to get into the details a bit more, below are some common terms used above and how they help VR!
CPU Cores
A core is the thinking part of the CPU. It is the brain of the CPU. Its function is to receive information, process the information, and perform calculations. Modern CPUs can contain anywhere from two to 70+ cores. A consumer CPU for VR will generally carry between 4 and 16 cores.
A lot of people think that the number of cores is the only thing to look at. While cores are important, how many only paint parts of the picture?
Threads
A thread refers to a series of CPU instructions for a specific program. Older CPUs and those with SMT disabled run one thread per core, but most modern AMD and Intel CPUs can run two simultaneously. This allows them to share some resources such as cache.
More CPU threads mean more processing capabilities, which are good when running complicated VR games.
Clock speed
Clock speed is the speed at which a CPU can execute instructions. A processor with a 3.7 GHz clock speed can process 3.7 billion instructions per second. Having lots of cores and threads is a waste if you have a low clock speed.
Clock speed is one of the most critical factors for determining performance in games and workload functions. Another function of clock speed is the ability to enable overclocking. Overclocking a CPU means fine-tuning the power, memory settings, and other components to gain faster clock speed under specific requirements. This can increase clock speed but may wear out your CPU for VR faster.
Caching
Caching is a small segment of memory dedicated to storing frequently used commands and instructions. Storing these instructions in cache can speed up the software execution when they are needed. CPUs contain caches designated as Level 1, 2, and 3, with L1 being the fastest and smallest and L3 being the slowest and largest.
Heat sink
A heat sink is a cooling solution for PCs that either utilizes fans or liquid cooling (active) or aluminum radiators (passive) to regulate temperature. A high-performance CPU for VR can heat up through regular use, which can cause failure. A cooling solution will keep the CPU running fast and reliable.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
Thermal design power is the maximum amount of heat a CPU chip can produce that the cooling system can deal with. The attendant cooling system is designed to deal with this TDP under workload. In general terms, TDP indicates how much power the device draws. Lower thermal design power requires significantly less cooling requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About VR CPUs (FAQs)
Which is the best CPU for VR gaming?
I would recommend Intel Core i9-13900K because of its performance.. With its robust specifications, VR gamers can enjoy the best gaming experience.
Can a CPU enhance the VR gaming experience?
The CPUs mentioned in this article process the frames faster because the VR depends on the CPU after it reaches 60 frames. To experience a solid VR gaming experience, you need a good CPU.
Which CPU is better – AMD or Intel?
Both are equally good, and I recommend going with the latest version of each for a better VR gaming experience.
Intel – i7 and above
AMD – AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and AMD Ryzen 9 5900X.
Do CPU cores matter for VR?
Yes, more CPU cores can improve VR performance by handling multiple tasks and reducing the load on each core, thus preventing bottlenecks.
Are Ryzen CPUs good for VR?
Yes, Ryzen CPUs are good for VR due to their strong multi-core performance and competitive pricing.
What is better for VR, CPU or GPU?
The GPU is generally more critical for VR performance, as it handles the rendering of high-resolution, high-frame-rate visuals necessary for a smooth VR experience.
Is 32GB of RAM good for VR?
Yes, 32GB of RAM is more than sufficient for VR and provides plenty of headroom for running other applications simultaneously.
Let me know which CPU you have by commenting down below!
