Is your PC ready to handle virtual reality? Use VRMark to test your system

By Danny Cowan November 3, 2016

vrmark delivers comprehensive virtual realtiy benchmarking for pcs — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Futuremark, the creator of the popular graphic-rendering benchmark 3DMark, released a free tool that allows users to gauge whether their PC configurations are powerful enough to support virtual reality headsets and applications.

The newly launched VRMark features two distinct virtual reality benchmarks, offering detailed hardware breakdowns while highlighting which PC components should be updated to boost performance.

Users who download the free version of VRMark get access to the software’s Orange Room benchmark, which focuses on the minimum performance requirements for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift headsets. The Orange Room delivers a first-person experience where users navigate a museum filled with living paintings and displays, each of which is built to test the capabilities of PC hardware with regard for virtual reality performance.

A paid version of VRMark is also available via the developer’s website and Steam. VR enthusiasts who upgrade to VRMark Advanced Edition will unlock an additional Blue Room benchmark session that tests the VR-rendering capabilities of high-performance PCs, along with custom settings that allow users to manually adjust graphical intensity and detail.

VRMark does not require a VR headset and an included Experience mode gives users a heads up when VR software engages special rendering techniques to account for dropped frames.

“Experience mode is a great way to judge the performance of a system with your own eyes,” Futuremark notes. “VR headsets use clever techniques to compensate for missed frames. Even when the frame rate is low, you may be surprised by the quality of the VR experience. Take your time and explore in VR or on your monitor.”

Normally priced at $20, VRMark Advanced Edition is currently available for $15 as part of a launch-week promotion. In addition to its core VRMark software, Futuremark offers an online FAQ and support aimed at VR first-timers, along with a technical guide for advanced users.

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