What are the minimum PC requirements for Windows Mixed Reality?

Windows Mixed Reality is coming Fall 2017, and with the new experience is an entirely different set of minimum requirements to run it. These specifications open up a new tier of laptops and desktop PCs to VR and ultimately make it way more affordable for a lot of people. Here's what you'll need in your PC to run Windows Mixed Reality.

Windows Mixed Reality minimum system requirements

Dell WMR headset

It's clear from these specs that Microsoft is favoring a mixed reality experience that can be used with a non-gaming laptop. Smart plan, as this opens it up to a lot of people who don't have a desktop PC.

  • CPU: Intel Mobile Core i5 (e.g. 7200U) Dual-Core with Hyperthreading equivalent
  • GPU: Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 620 (GT2) equivalent or greater DX12 API Capable GPU
  • RAM: 8GB+ Dual Channel required for integrated Graphics
  • HDMI: HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz head-mounted displays
  • HDMI: HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 90Hz head-mounted displays
  • HDD: 100GB+ SSD (Preferred) / HDD
  • USB: USB 3.0 Type-A or USB 3.1 Type-C Port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0 for accessories

A lot of newer, mid-range Ultrabooks not commonly associated with gaming are sporting these specs, and one of the only problems we can see is the HDMI port that seems to be disappearing from a lot of the thinner laptops out there.

As far as building a PC to run Windows Mixed Reality, you should be able to get away with spending somewhere around $500.

Comparing Windows Mixed Reality to HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

Windows Mixed Reality requires a lot less graphics power. Instead of a dedicated GPU, an integrated one will do as long as there is at least 8GB of RAM with it. Considering a pretty sizeable portion of the cost of a VR rig for a Rift or Vive is taken up by the GPU, you can see where the cost will be cut.

HTC Vive

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Video output: One HDMI 1.4 or one DisplayPort 1.2
  • USB: One USB 2.0
  • OS: Windows 7 or newer

Oculus Rift

  • Processor: Intel Core i3-6100 or AMD FX4350
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 470
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Video output: HDMI 1.3
  • USB: One USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0
  • OS: Windows 8 or newer

Your opinion

What do you think about the minimum requirements for Windows Mixed Reality? Will this hardware be able to deliver a legitimate experience? Let us know in the comments section!