Sony launched the PlayStation VR2 app on Steam today. Just last week I wrote about how Sony slashing the price of the PSVR2 was a bad deal for console gamers, but a coup for PC gamers. So PC gamers, it’s time to get excited. Depending on what GPU your gaming rig is running, you might not even have to wait for Sony’s adapter to launch tomorrow. You could start gaming on the best pound-for-pound VR headset for PC gaming, right now.
PSVR2 Already Working With Some VirtualLink GPUs
Sony initially stated that for PC gamers to use the PSVR2 they would need a few things:
- The PlayStation VR2 VR headset
- PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers which connect via Bluetooth
- Sony’s brand-new PlayStation VR2 PC adapter
But some users have already downloaded the PSVR2 app from Steam and gotten Sony’s VR headset working without the official adapter that’s required. The difference is that these gamers have GPUs featuring VirtualLink USB-C ports.
Steam user tg2 posted to the PSVR2 app Steam page confirming the “headset works very well and the adapter is not actually mandatory if you have a GPU that supports VirtualLink, like the RX 6000 series or RTX 20 series. The controller tracking is surprisingly good despite what I heard from earlier reviews and the output from the HMD is gorgeous”.
On Reddit, the person said, “I knew from how the adapter looked that it was a virtual link splitter and knew [sic] that the PS VR2 needed 12-volt power so as soon as the software came out I tested it”.
VirtualLink Supported GPUs and Laptops
Here is a non-exhaustive list of GPUs and laptops which feature a VirtualLink USB-C port which should, in theory, let you get your PSVR2 headset up and running without buying Sony’s extra adapter.
Nvidia
- GeForce RTX 2060 6G version by Aorus
- GeForce RTX 2070
- GeForce RTX 2070 Super
- GeForce RTX 2080
- GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
- GeForce RTX 2080 Super
- Titan RTX
- Quadro RTX 4000
- Quadro RTX 5000
- Quadro RTX 6000
AMD
- Radeon RX 6800
- Radeon RX 6800 XT
- Radeon RX 6900 XT
- Radeon RX 6950 XT
- Radeon RX 7900 XT
- Radeon RX 7900 XTX
- Radeon Pro W5700
Laptops
- Asus Mothership GZ700
This list is both non-exhaustive and comes with a massive caveat.
I have the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and excitedly grabbed my PSVR2 headset and ran to my PC only to find it doesn’t have a VirtualLink USB-C port. My GPU was designed by XFX making it an aftermarket GPU and not a reference card. Not all aftermarket cards will feature a VirtualLink USB-C port. So, unfortunately, I’ll be waiting to see if I can grab one of Sony’s adapters in the coming weeks.
Will PSVR2 Work Without the Adapter?
PSVR2 will likely work without you having to buy Sony’s adapter, but only if your PC’s GPU supports VirtualLink. It’s extremely early days and this hasn’t been thoroughly tested yet by the masses. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to test this at all. But I’m sharing the news for those who already have a PSVR2 and a GPU with a VirtualLink USB-C port. Hopefully, you can not only start gaming sooner, but you might save yourself some money too.
If, like me, you still need to go and get yourself an official Sony PSVR2 PC Adapter, your best bet is likely to be Amazon.co.uk, Smyths Toys or, to a lesser extent, Harvey Norman.
