There’s arguably never been a better time to jump into VR. The modern CPUs are plenty powerful with newer architectures, and acquiring one of the best CPUs for VR is simpler than ever due to the sheer number of options. There’s an ever-expanding catalog of games that support VR and headsets to thoroughly enjoy virtual adventures, like the Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3, the Valve Index, and the HTC Vive Focus Vision, which keep improving with time.

Given the variety of popular games and coverage, it’s no surprise to see its demand go up. If you’re planning on dipping into virtual reality for the first time or plan to upgrade a struggling rig, then you probably have some pressing questions about what hardware is best suited for the best performance when exploring virtual worlds.

Today, we’ll be looking specifically at what’s required on the CPU front, and we’ve, as such, compiled a list of the very best CPUs out there for VR. But don’t forget to check out the best graphics cards for VR, too, to ensure a great experience all around.

Products at a glance

How we selected the products

When it comes to picking out the products to recommend, we rely on our knowledge of the market, reviews of products, testing of them, and our own research. That way, we have a well-rounded understanding of what is required and what you can expect from the various processors.

So with these CPU reviews and hands-on processor tests, we can be sure to recommend the best CPUs for VR. There’s certainly some crossover between traditional gaming and VR, which means many of the criteria we’d use to choose a CPU for straight gaming factor into choosing the right CPU for your VR plans. While this may be the case, VR places slightly different demands on a PC, and our method for choosing the best CPUs accounted for that.

Our top picks

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AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Hands-on Review

5 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Specifications

• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Boost clock speed: 5.2GHz
• Base clock speed: 4.7GHz
• L3 cache: 96MB
• TDP: 120W
• Platform: AM5

Reasons to Buy

• Unbeatable gaming performance
• Can handle productivity loads
• Future-proof and overclockable

Reasons to Avoid

• The AM5 ecosystem is expensive and can add up overall costs
• No support for DDR4 memory

• Shop on Amazon
• Shop on Newegg

If you want maximum gaming performance out of your VR setup, then the best CPU you can go for is the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Based on the Zen 5 architecture, the Ryzen 9800X3D offers the highest gaming framerates of any other CPU currently available. In our 9800X3D review, we were also very impressed by how much gaming prowess the CPU has to offer.

The key behind the 9800X3D’s mind-blowing gaming performance is its use of a 3D V-Cache, which basically stacks an additional cache die on top of the CPU’s die. Since the L3 cache now has its own die, there is more capacity, 96MB, to be exact. This means the CPU can now hold more data in its cache for the cores to fetch, which significantly reduces lag and, hence, results in more FPS.

The previous-gen 7800X3D also used the same technology, and it was also the best gaming CPU of its generation, beating all other flagship CPUs from both AMD and Intel by a mile. However, with the 9800X3D, AMD has upgraded to a 4nm process node and made several architectural changes that gave it a boost in all aspects. As such, we get the best gaming performance, improved productivity numbers, and good efficiency.

In our testing, the CPU’s performance in synthetic benchmarks was also commendable. During our Blender run, the CPU outperformed the 9700X and the 7800X3D, which is a very good feat. Of course, if productivity is your main use, we would recommend an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K or a Ryzen 9900X, as these CPUs make the most out of their extra cores for better workload handling.

However, if you plan to stick to the 9800X3D, you can also overclock it for a boost in performance. Just make sure to get the best motherboard and the best cooler for it, as these components can heavily impact your CPU’s performance.

All things considered, if you want a great all-rounder CPU that absolutely crushes the components in gaming, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a no-brainer.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 Power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 FPS graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender scores graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D multi core synthetics graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D CS2 FPS graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Blender temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 power graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D synthetics single core graph, Image by PC Guide

Ryzen 7 9800X3D Cyberpunk 2077 temperatures graph, Image by PC Guide

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If you’re going for a middling option from Intel, you have the Core Ultra 200 series of CPUs to get on the latest platform. Be sure to have a bit more lasting option than anything previous, as they are now end-of-life. So, for VR, we suggest the mid-range Core Ultra 7 265K to provide a mix of specs and value.

The processor has 20 cores and threads, which make up its functionality. Those cores are split between eight performance cores and 12 efficient cores to help with efficiency and getting the performance to where it is, while improving power levels as well.

These are then clocked in with a base frequency of 3.9 and 3.3 GHz, respectively, while being capable of turboing to a different point, which is between 5.4 and 4.6 GHz. Along with a L2 cache of 36MB, which isn’t insignificant but definitely pales in comparison to the X3D cache on AMD’s top processors.

As for the power, the CPU has a base power of 125W with the capability to turbo to 250W, which makes it a decent selection when deciding on powering up your system. Although in testing, that might be different from what’s written down, considering the use cases you put it through.

Such as in our 265K review, where we got to see what it was capable of and compared it against the 9700X. The Cyberpunk performance, on low 1080p, reached 191 FPS compared to over 200 from AMD. But then in Blender and multi-core, the Intel scores boost further than AMD, making it a better pick for creatives.

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Intel Core Ultra 7 265K in Cyberpunk 2077

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If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly option that can still handle virtual reality without a hitch, we’d recommend the budget Ryzen 9000 offering. This is the Ryzen 5 9600X and features 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 5 architecture. A base and boost clock speed of 3.9GHz and 5.4GHz, respectively.

What this means is that each core is capable of handling 5.4 billion instructions in a single clock cycle, and this is much faster than the required specifications of various VR headsets. So, you should have a stable gaming experience with this processor in your rig, and the best part is that it has an efficient 65W TDP.

However, that can be ramped up to 105W to provide more power to the cores without increasing the thermal output a lot. When we reviewed this processor, it was limited to 65W TDP, but now you can change these settings in the BIOS. To give you an idea of what this CPU can churn out, here are its performance benchmarks:

• 16,315 points in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test
• 325 FPS in Cyberpunk and 246 FPS in Days Gone at 1080p low paired with the RTX 4070 Ti Super

So, it has excellent synthetic performance and can easily keep up with powerful GPUs without causing an issue. What this means is that you should have a very pleasant VR experience with this CPU while keeping the total cost as low as possible.

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Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Hands-on Review

4 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Reasons to Buy

• Great temperatures even under full loads
• Impressive multi-core performance
• Plenty of cores and threads with a good split into performance and efficiency

Reasons to Avoid

• Not the best gaming performance
• No longer supports DDR4 like its predecessors
• Falls behind the 14900K in plenty of scenarios

• Shop on Amazon
• Shop on Newegg
• Shop on Scan
• Shop on Overclockers

If you’re looking for the best of the best that money can buy, then we can highly recommend the Core Ultra 9 285K. This is the flagship processor from Intel, and while the processors from this lineup get a bad rap for their gaming performance, their multi-threaded output is top-notch, making a performance beast like this perfect for virtual reality.

We’ve reviewed the Core Ultra 925 Capricorn in-house, and it has exceptional performance. We know that virtual reality benefits more from a stronger GPU, but a strong processor is also crucial, and this processor covers all the bases with its 24 cores and threads, with a boost clock speed of 5.7GHz. This is the perfect setup if you’re looking to build a high-end gaming PC. Pair it with any of the best graphics cards on the market, and you should be able to achieve seamless, streamlined gaming performance even at 4K.

That being said, while the gaming performance of this processor isn’t a significant improvement over the Intel Core i9-14900K, it doesn’t mean that it is a complete dud, as it does manage to output a good number of frames at 1080P low settings, as we saw when we tested it in-house.

Compared to the Ryzen offerings, it isn’t the best; however, it truly shines when the going gets tough, for example, if you have very resource-intensive workflows like 3D rendering, AI-related tasks, data compression, media encoding, running physics simulations, and so on. When we put this processor through its paces, this is what we found.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Synthetics single core scores, Image by PC Guide

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Synthetics multi core scores, Image by PC Guide

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Cyberpunk 2077 FPS, Image by PC Guide

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Average package power, Image by PC Guide

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K temperatures, Image by PC Guide

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Blender, Image by PC Guide

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These benchmarks showcase a range of tests related to AI gaming, multicore performance, single-core performance, and more. There isn’t a specific VR-related test, but this should give you a good idea of what this process is capable of, and there isn’t anything that you can put in front of it that would give it trouble.

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AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Hands-on Review

4.5 /5

Editor’s Rating

How We Review

Specifications

• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Boost speed : up to 5 GHz
• Base speed: 4.2 GHz
• L3 Cache: 96 MB
• TDP: 120 W
• Platform: AMD (AM5)

Reasons to Buy

• Fantastic gaming performance
• Affordable thanks to age
• Less limited than the previous generation

Reasons to Avoid

• Still limited by cache outside of gaming workloads
• No included cooler
• Upgrade to AM5 can be expensive if you don’t already have the parts.

• Shop on Amazon

One of the best processors from the previous generation of AMD processors is the former best gaming processor in the world, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. This processor is still a very valid option in today’s landscape, as it can be paired with any of the heavy-hitting GPUs on the market, including the RTX 5080 and the RTX 5090. In our 7800X3D review, we put this processor through its paces, and it showcased exceptional performance.

X3D processors are also preferred for virtual reality because the 3D V-cache technology can store more data on the chip itself, enabling better processing, high and stable frame rates, and churning out maximum performance in heavy simulation titles in VR. Besides this, the gaming performance of this process is also amazing, as it can handle any resolution without causing a CPU bottleneck.

Since this processor is an older offering, you can grab it for less and maybe even get an amazing deal. It is also very energy efficient, with a 120-watt TDP, which means it shouldn’t generate much heat and should be easy to cool. However, this generation of X video processors can be overclocked, so you’ll be stuck with the clock speeds it comes with, which is 5GHz at maximum

To see what the processor is capable of, we paired it with the RTX 4070 Ti Super on our test bench and ran the standard suite of synthetic and gaming tests. This is how it performed:

• 2,624 and 15,066 points in the Geekbench single- and multi-core test, respectively.
• Completed 10 passes of the 7-Zip Compression 32MB test in 47.36s

Features and considerations

If you’re ready to drop a couple of bucks on a new CPU, then there are a few features you need to consider. Before you upgrade your rig, make sure you take into account the requirements of your VR headset, how compatible it is with your GPU, and your budget. Continue reading as we explore what you should look out for below.

Headset Requirements

Not all headsets require the same CPU requirements, with some more demanding than others. While there’s sense in opting for the best CPU your money can buy, we also recommend checking out the manufacturer’s requirements beforehand. You may be able to save some cash, which can then be put towards a better GPU, as we cover below.

For convenience, we’ve included the requirements for the three most popular headsets. In an effort to attract potential customers, manufacturers tend to produce requirements that flirt with what many would consider subpar performance.

With this in mind, we suggest opting for a CPU that exceeds what’s required to err on the side of caution and weed out potential performance issues.

• Meta Quest Link
  • Intel i5-4590/AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
• HTC Vive Pro 2
  • Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD Ryzen 1500 equivalent or greater
• Valve Index
  • Dual Core with hyperthreading, or better

Don’t Skimp On a Quality GPU

A suitable CPU is crucial to good VR performance, but the GPU arguably plays a more important role due to the rendering requirements of bringing to life 3D worlds. We, therefore, recommend allocating a decent chunk of the budget to a quality GPU. That additional graphical power will serve you well when it comes to the more demanding titles and, overall, a more fluid experience.

As mentioned above, you can check headset manufacturer requirements to get a ballpark sense of what’s needed in the GPU department. It’s also worth noting that not all GPUs are compatible with all headsets. For example, NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 1650 and 1060 aren’t compatible with the Oculus Quest 2.

Budget and Future-Proofing

Given VR’s relative infancy, the fact that there’s still a long path to mass adoption, and the hardware costs, we can’t stress the importance of future-proofing your setup to avoid having to fork out cash in the years ahead simply to keep up. VR tech continues to change and evolve at a rapid pace, and having a CPU capable of navigating those twists and turns is a smart move, as doing so will save you money in the long run.

Naturally, this is limited by your specific budget, so try to stretch it as much as you can, or alternatively, opt for a lower-priced value CPU option with an eye on saving up and replacing it in a couple of years.

FAQs

What CPU is recommended for VR?

The processor recommended for VR use depends on the headset you’re using. However, it’s nothing too demanding either, as most of the performance will depend on the graphics card. Yet you still need a great CPU to keep up with the GPU’s demands to provide a great combination. So here are some of the examples of what headsets recommend:

Does the CPU matter more than the GPU in VR?

For virtual reality, the GPU matters more because the workload is more GPU-bound. So, when you’re dealing with high-resolution frames, just like in gaming, having a weak GPU will significantly impact performance. However, that doesn’t mean you can pair a high-end GPU with a budget processor; if the clock speed is low, the performance difference will cause stutters and lag, ruining the overall experience.

Can a laptop be used for VR?

Yes, a laptop can be used for VR, but only if it has high-end specifications. We’d recommend opting for a gaming laptop, as they come with powerful CPUs and GPUs, enough firepower to deliver solid, stable performance across various VR titles. Laptops with the latest Intel and Ryzen offerings would be the best, but even the previous generation is more than capable of handling virtual reality without a hitch.

What is the minimum core requirement for VR?

The minimum CPU core requirement for VR is 6 cores. Going below it to a quad-core processor will seriously hinder the performance and won’t deliver a stable experience. That said, VR will benefit from more cores, but even a 6-core processor should be able to get the job done, and overclocking it will further improve its ability to churn out instructions faster, resulting in better output.

About the Author

Sebastian Kozlowski

With a fascination for technology and games, Seb is a tech writer with a focus on hardware, news, and deals. He is also a tester and reviewer for the site. Contact him @ [email protected]