Oculus Quest is an excellent standalone VR headset from Facebook. Being a standalone headset, you do not need any cables or connections to use it. It also means that the headset is entirely portable, and it is not mandatory to have a nearby PC for VR gaming.
However, many people want to try games from Steam, and a PC is essential in such cases. Thankfully, Oculus Quest allows people to connect it to a PC and play games like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. This is possible through a feature on the Oculus Quest known as Oculus Link.
The process of connecting an Oculus Quest to VR games can be confusing and daunting for many people. One may not know what they need to connect the two, the minimum system requirements for their PC, or the steps to follow to connect the two. This article will look into all these things.
Here’s everything you should know.
What You Need
There are three main accessories needed to link the Oculus Quest and PC. The first step should be finding tips that can help you get started with Oculus Quest 2 accessories. Various online resources cater to that by providing insights into the accessories one needs and choosing the best.
In this section, you will find out more about the accessories needed for Oculus Link. Read on.
1. VR-Ready PC
One of the primary accessories that you need for Oculus Link is a VR-ready PC. A compatible PC is vital to play VR games with Oculus Quest. It is worth noting that not every piece of hardware out there can be compatible with Oculus Quest.
The good news is that you can easily find the compatibility requirements from Facebook. This page lists the minimum PC requirements that you can use to check your PC’s compatibility. Remember that the compatibility requirements could also change depending on the specific VR game you want to play.
2. Cables
Cables are essential to establish the link between an Oculus Quest headset and a PC. You will need a USB-C to C cable that you can connect directly to your computer (if it has a USB-C port) or through an adapter. You, however, need to choose the USB-C cable carefully as there are some unreliable cables.
You won’t need a cable if using Air Link and Virtual Desktop solutions. These two are wireless, making them more reliable and easier to use. Ensure that the cable is at least 3 meters long to support a good range of movement. Going with the official cable from Facebook also guarantees you longevity.
3. Software
Source: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/
Software is essential to play VR games on an Oculus Quest and PC connection. The official Oculus App and SteamVR are all you need when it comes to Oculus link software. You can easily download the application by clicking on this link and checking for the Oculus Link setup software.
You should also download and install SteamVR in advance before starting to connect the headset and PC. SteamVR is the best tool to use when looking to experience VR content on various hardware. It supports Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and many other VR content.
The Minimum PC System Requirements for Oculus Link
As mentioned earlier, your hardware, especially your PC, has to meet the minimum requirements for the Oculus link. You need to confirm that your PC meets these requirements if you have never used it with a VR headset. You are fine if you already have used the two together and are sure they work fine.
Here are some minimum specifications for your computer.
- Processor: Intel i5-4590, Ryzen 5 1500X, or greater.
- Memory: Minimum 8GB
- Video Card: At least Nvidia Titan X, Nvidia GeForce GTX 970, GTX 1060, GTX 1070 (all), GTX 1080 (all), GTX 1650 Super, GTX 1660, GTX 1660 TI and RTX 20-series (all). AMD 400, 500, and 5000 Series. AMD Vega Series.
- Operating System: Windows 10
- USB ports: 1x USB port
Steps to Connect Oculus Quest to a PC
Source: Pixabay
Once everything is set, it is now time to link the Oculus Quest headset with your PC. Connecting these two may seem like an overwhelming task, but it is not with the correct guidance. This section lists some essential steps that you can follow when connecting your PC to this VR headset.
Let’s check them out below.
- Confirm that you have the USB-C cable that connects the headset to your PC. As mentioned earlier, the longer, the better, but aim to keep it at 10 feet minimum. You can comfortably use the USB-C cable that comes with your headset.
- Next is downloading the Oculus App discussed earlier if you don’t have it already. You probably have it if you regularly use Quest; you can start it straight away.
- Also, go ahead and install Steam, log into your account and install SteamVR. This step gives you access to a whole range of VR games and Apps.
- Plug the cable, turn Quest on, and put on the headset.
- With your controller, deny the popup in your headset asking for permission to access data.
- Another popup will ask to enable the Oculus Link, accept it with your controller.
Conclusion
People prefer Oculus Link to other options like Air Link for various reasons. Oculus Link allows you to connect the VR headset directly to your PC using a cable. This results in an excellent visual performance and longer battery life compared to wireless alternatives like Air Link.
It is easy to connect the VR headset to a PC though it appears daunting at first. The first thing is to ensure you have all the required hardware and software. For the hardware, especially the PC, you need to ensure it meets the minimum system requirements for Oculus Link.
This article has looked into everything one needs for the Oculus Link. Besides the hardware and software, it has also discussed the steps to follow when creating such a connection. These insights will help you create a successful link between your PC and the Oculus Quest headset.