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I’m going to be reviewing the best graphics card for VR so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your budget and needs. VR headsets have been on the market for a little over two years now, and they are quickly becoming more and more popular with each passing day. Plus, there’s no doubt that we’re all eagerly awaiting what year will bring in terms of new releases. With that being said, let’s get started!
The first thing I want to discuss is whether or not your PC meets minimum requirements. If it doesn’t meet the recommended specifications (GTX 970/1060 equivalent or greater), then chances are you won’t even be able to use any of these cards with your headset.
At a Glance:
MSI Gaming Radeon RX 5700
- VR ready graphics card
- A great choice for gaming
- Decent cost for outstanding 1440p performance
- Performance comparative to RTX 2070 at a lower price
MSI Gaming Force RTX 2060
- 6Gb DDR6 memory
- Outstanding 1440p performance
- Energy-efficient GPU
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 Super
- Fantastic performance
- DLSS and Ray Tracing are present
- Large heat sinks
Different computer games utilize a 3D artificial environment or world for virtual reality or “VR-gaming”. These games are created to deliver such an experience to users that they feel like they are inside the game, instead of merely viewing it via a monitor. Such games are interactive and immersive. The performance of such games, and the experience, the gamer can get out of them depend heavily upon the machine and accessories the user is utilizing. We have arranged some of the best graphics cards for you to go through, and find the perfect one for you! Each of them has a certain set of features and qualities, all you have to do is to crosscheck them against your set of requirements.
| Design | CPU | Retailer |
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Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Budget Pick | Check Price | |
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MSI Gaming Radeon RX 5700
Best Pick| Core Clocking | 1750 MHz |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 |
| Memory Speed | 14Gbps |
| Memory | 8 Gb DDR6 |
MSI Gaming Radeon RX 5700 is one of the best VR gaming graphics cards and it offers performance that is on par with the RTX 2070 Super. The main features which make this a good purchase includes its higher clock rates and superior cooling framework. Both of these are better than the competitor ASUS and Gigabyte variants. The GPU is similar to RTX 2070 in terms of overall features e.g. both cards offer 2300+ center units. The overall look of this GPU has a metallic silver tone. The graphic card offers a base clock rate of approximately 1500 MHz Moreover, you can push it up to 1750 MHz via overclocking it. The updated titles of AAA can be operated at maximum settings, as the unit features an 8 GB GDDR6 memory. But, it is recommended to operate them at 1440p as the card struggles with a 4K resolution. The RX5700 offers similar performance to RTX 2070S with a relatively lower price tag.
Our Verdict:
The AMD Radeon RX 5700 is hands down, one of the best AMD-based graphics cards to ever come out! The card lets you have an amazing 1440p gaming experience along with many useful features.
Pros
- VR ready graphics card
- A great choice for gaming
- Decent cost for outstanding 1440p performance
- Performance comparative to RTX 2070 at a lower price
Cons
- No Ray Tracing
MSI Gaming Force RTX 2060
Staff Pick| Core Clocking | 1830 MHz |
| Interface | PCIe x16 3.0 |
| Memory Speed | 14Gbps |
| Memory | 6 Gb DDR6 |
MSI Gaming Force RTX 2060 is another banger from MSI, the GPU features a similar setup to GTX 1060. About its cost and functioning, the RTX 2060 has a significant status in the RTX elementary series. Some of the GPU units e.g. GTX 1070ti are faster than this unit, but RTX 2060 has an edge due to its RTX and DLSS, which can be utilized in 20-series GPUs. Moreover, it is not recommended to utilize the Real-Time RAY tracing feature on RTX 2060. Because, as it can reduce the framerate of your title and make your VR experience unpleasant. The unit has 6GB GDDR6 memory, however, nowadays the GPUs feature 8GB of VRAM. The GPU pushes 1750Mhz of clock speed, however, you can also overclock it to get some extra performance out of it. The unit has 17 trillion RTX Ops, along with 1920 Cuda centers. The unit operates at optimal power consumption and is not power-hungry e.g. it runs effectively on 500-550 PSU.
Pros
- 6Gb DDR6 memory
- Outstanding 1440p performance
- Energy-efficient GPU
Cons
- Price is the same as some of its better-performing competitors
- No Virtual Link
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 2070 Super
Budget Pick| Core Clocking | 1815 MHz |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0×16 |
| Memory Speed | 14Gbps |
| Memory | 8 Gb DDR6 |
The RTX 2070 Super was introduced to close the huge performance gap between RTX 2070 and RTX 2080. The unit performs 15% better than the RTX 2070 but has a relatively cheaper price tag. The factor that favors the decision of buying the Gigabyte RTX 2070s is that it offers similar functionality as other cards but at a less expensive price tag. However, if you are looking for something on the cheaper side of the market, you should consider the PNY.
The tech reviewers suggest deactivating the RT Ray Tracing of RTX 2070s, however, the operating system of the unit is an exception without any modifications. The unit features a black and orange color scheme along with an RGB LED lighting system. RTX 2070S isn’t recommended for 4k gaming, but for 1440p gaming, the GPU has no competition. The unit has sufficient memory (8GB GDDR6) to run recent titles on the highest settings. Initially, the RTX 2070 featured a clock speed of 1750Mhz on boost, however, through bigger heatsinks and Windforce tri fans, you can overclock the chip to get maximum performance.
Our Verdict:
The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is a great performing card. The card offers equivalent performance to RTX 2080 with a relatively less price tag.
Pros
- Fantastic performance
- DLSS and Ray Tracing are present
- Large heat sinks
Cons
- Expensive for its specifications
- Same performance as the cheaper RX 5700 XT
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
| Core Clock | 1480 MHz |
| Memory | 11GB |
| Memory Clock | 1376 MHz |
| Power Connector | One 6-pin, one 8-pin PCI power connectors |
| Power Draw | 250 watts |
| Outputs | 3xDP, HDMI, DVI-D |
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti offer such a great performance, that it was only previously possible on models worth hundreds of dollars. The unit features massive changes in comparison to previous generations. For example, the incorporation of Simultaneous Multi-Projection Engine into the Polymorph engine. The card has 3584 CUDA cores, and it relies on 12 billion transistors. Hence, the performance of GTX 1080 Ti is unmatched by previous Nvidia GPUs. The card performs exceptionally well even up to 5k resolution. As the card features the brand flagship gaming GPU it offers such performance that it can handle any game you can throw on it. The card has an 11GB memory clock, meaning it has higher clock speeds. Moreover, the card features Micron’s second-generation GDDR5X memory. The 11GB frame buffer allows you to experience clear and smooth images each time.
Our Verdict:
Nvidia’s EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is one of the most powerful graphics cards to date. The GPU lets you run 4k gaming with no compromise, with a relatively cheaper price tag.
Pros
- Excellent performance at 1920 x 1080
- 120W board power
- Effective dual-BIOS profiles great for thermals and noise
- Reasonably priced
- Great build quality
Cons
- Can’t try ray tracing or DLSS due to no RT/tensor cores
- GDDR6 memory limited to 12GB speeds
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super
| Core Clock | 1710 MHz |
| Memory | Clock: 14000 MHz |
| Power Connector | One 6-pin, one 8-pin PCI power connectors |
| Power Draw | 175 watts |
| Outputs | 2xDP, 2 x HDMI, HDCP |
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2060 Super is one of the graphics cards available in the market, which has an 1830 MHz boost frequency. Such boosted frequency makes the RTX 2060s extremely fast, also, the card has a stylish and solid build. The RTX silicon is significantly larger than the previous GTX models. Even though the card has an optimized 12nm processor along with multiple tensor cores specified to boost functionality. Among the attractive features of RTX 2060s, the most significant one is the cooling system. The card has a 2+ slot setup, which is equipped with 3-speed fans with adjustable speed. Also, the fans have nickel-plated copper heat pipes and aluminum fins. The function of the fans includes the escalated flow of air through reduction of noise, and they come from Asus. Due to this, the card can stay in a higher clocked state for longer periods, without the risk of damage or overheating.
Our Verdict:
The GeForce RTX 2060 Super has a similar performance to RTX 2070, with the added benefit of saving you an extra $200.
Pros
- High-refresh gaming and 1440p great performance
- Very attractive design
- DVI port perfect for legacy monitors
- Reasonably priced
- Great build quality
Cons
- Can’t handle all AAA games at higher resolutions
Summary Best Graphics Card for VR 2021
| Design | CPU | Retailer |
|---|---|---|
Best Pick | Check Price | |
Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Budget Pick | Check Price | |
| Check Price | |
| Check Price |
Conclusion Best Graphics Card for VR 2021
If you’re looking to buy a graphics card for VR and want more information on the best options out there, we hope this article has helped. Keep in mind that if your PC doesn’t meet minimum specifications then it may not run as well as expected or be able to handle some of the newer games coming out with VR compatibility. In our opinion, NVIDIA is leading the pack when it comes to graphic cards right now – but just keep in mind what your budget looks like before making a purchase! Have you purchased any new hardware recently? Let us know how things have been going so far. We love hearing from our readers!
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