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If you’re weighing up if this VR headset is for you, you’re probably wondering if the Vive XR Elite is good for gaming.
The headset is being released by HTC, a company who made their name with smartphones not gaming hardware, yet despite this, their recent VR headsets have gone down fairly well with consumers. This March, the Vive XR Elite begins shipping, and looks to provide a middle-ground between the Meta Quest Pro and PSVR 2.
The Meta Quest Pro, Facebook’s flagship VR headset is geared towards a high-end professional experience, while the PSVR 2 offers a more affordable entry to VR gaming. The Vive XR Elite, on the other hand, seeks balance between both, which begs the questions, is the headset good for gaming?
Is the Vive XR Elite good for gaming?
If we’re going to figure out of the Vive XR Elite is good for gaming – we’re going to want to first have a look at a few things. This includes specs, compatibility, the price, and who the headset is intended for.
We’re going to be taking a look at how suited the hardware is for gaming, and also how it compares to other rival headsets.
Vive XR Elite specs
| Storage | 128GB |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Processor | Snapdragon XR2 |
| Optics | 4 x cameras |
| Sensors | Depth, G, & Proximity sensors |
| Connectivity | 2 x USB C (1 power, 1 data), Bluetooth, WiFi, 2 x Controller |
| IDP Range | 54-73mm |
| Horizontal FoV | 110° |
| Diagonal FoV | (Specification N/A) |
| Resolution per eye | 1920 x 1920 |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz |
| Tracking | 6 DoF Inside-out tracking |
Vive XR Elite features
The Vive XR Elite is (almost) 4K which it achieves through a composite resolution. This is an almost given with what we expect from modern day VR headsets, so it’s not exactly something to write home about just yet. What we’re most excited to hear about is how HTC have handled the screen door effect.
The screen door effect is an issue that many VR headsets have struggled with. Meta Quest Pro, for example, managed to solve this through the use of their high resolution composite displays, though we’re going to have to wait until the Vive XR Elite launches to test this out fully. Realistically though, with the Vive’s resolution, IDP Range, and FoV, it’s likely that the screen door effect will be negated.
We’ve already weighed up how the Vive XR Elite compares with the PSVR 2 and Meta Quest Pro, so you can check those pages out for in-depth comparisons of the headsets.
Vive XR Elite compatibility
Unlike the PSVR 2, you can plug your Vive XR Elite into your PC to use it. This is an optional feature, much like what’s included with Meta’s Quest Link feature, and allows you to tether the headset to PC in order to squeeze out some more processing power.
This feature doesn’t necessarily speak much about if the Vive XR Elite itself is good for gaming, as the headset will then rely on your PC’s hardware for processing power.
Final Word on is the Vive XR Elite good for gaming
Until the headset releases, we can only really go off what the specs tell us about the headset. Though, from the slight amount of information we’ve seen, we think that the Vive XR Elite is going to be a pretty darn good headset, especially for gaming.
On top of that – the Link mode will give gamers the ability to squeeze out tonnes of performance from the headset, which really increases the immersion achievable by the headset.
We’re going to be keeping an eye out for the latest updates on the Vive XR Elite, including content similar to if the Vive XR Elite can be used as a screen and Vive XR Elite shipping dates. Make sure to check back in with us periodically for the latest updates on related gaming, hardware and technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vive XR Elite work with SteamVR?
Using the Vive XR Elite’s USB-C connection, you can connect the headset to your PC and use SteamVR.
Does the VIve XR require a PC?
The Vive XR Elite actually doesn’t require a PC, but you can use a PC to tether the headset and squeeze out more performance from it.
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