what graphics card is compatible with HP Pavilion power desktop-580-137C and VR, Oculus or HTC vive

[jackielala]

Hi! I would like to be able to use a VR gaming headset with my computer, either Oculus or HTC Vive. It is currently not working.

What graphics card do I need to get, to support VR, and is it possible to add it or switch it on my Pavilion power desktop 580-137C? Does my computer have enough power to support the needed card? Where can I get the graphics card that I need?Please help! I would really love to be able to use my new VR (HTC Vive).

Thanks, Jackielala

[DGroves · Accepted solution]

if you have the steam client installed you can download the steamVR test which benchmarks the system for VR compatability

running VR is a very demanding task, it requires a fairly high end cpu  and a highend GPU, the minimum general spec for a trully FULL VR caple system is generally considered to be a nvidia GTX980 lower spec cards are able to do partial VR, but this dependes on the Game or application's VR demands

taking a quick look at your system specs, it's my opinion that it does not meet minimum vr specs and due to it's 300 watt power supply can not be upgraded with a video card that is vr capable

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05686933

you might be able to change the power supply to a higher wattage, but that still leaves the video card

the cost of power supply and card might mean that selling the current system rather than upgrading it and buying a new VR certified system may be more efective in the long run that's something you will need to decide along with which VR system as the 3 major vr systems have diffrent requirements with the windows vr being the lowest spec and the oclus the highest

[Grzwacz]

Greetings,

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a HP employee.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

The Ryzen7-1700 is a very good processor. You also have 16 Gb of RAM. This is a sweet spot when gaming.

All things equal, a GTX 1060 (Link to an example) is capable of VR. You can probably use an even more powerful GPU with your system. The one possible limitation besides the PSU is the length of the graphics card. You would have to verify you can install a dual fan, dual slot graphics card in your motherboard and chassis if you want to look at a GPU above the GTX 1060 in the above "Link". You can do Nvidia 2000 series GPUs in your PC! This potentially gives you Ray Tracing (RT) (Link). Games using RT are on the way.

Your PC uses a standard uATX power supply. So you can upgrade the PSU to power a better GPU if you want VR.

ATX PSU dimensions are 6 × 3.5 × 5.5 (inches) and in metric 150 mm × 86 mm × 140 mm. Check your PSU dimensions to verify it complies to ATX dimensions. ATX PSUs are slightly longer than uATX PSUs. An ATX PSU may work unless it butts up against the optical drive (OD) or the OD SATA and power connectors.

Pick the right GPU for your system. Verify it fits.

Then upgrade your uATX PSU . Your PSU upgrade options should be endless; Corsair, Antec, Seasonic, Enermax, EVGA, etc.

Regards

[Grzwacz]

Hi,

Additional thoughts:

The cost of upgrading two components versus the return on investment resulting from this upgrade is a valid consideration to be pondered.

So "Kudos" to DGroves on this point.

Only you can make this decision on how to proceed.

It should not be made by others.

Regards

[jackielala]

Thank you @DGroves for your honest evaluation. I was afraid of that. It would probably be better (especially at this time of year) to just get a new system. I appreciate your input and quick reply to my questions. Thank you so much!

Jackielala

[jackielala]

Thank you @Grzwacz for your awesome knowledge and advice on the possibilites for my system expansion. I appreciate all the info on what I will need. I think that it sounds like a LOT and I would probably be best off obtaining a new system with the VR capable specs. Thank you for responding so quickly and objectively.

Jackielala

[Grzwacz]

Hi Jackielala,

You're very welcome.

Regards