If you have a PlayStation VR 2 and a PC VR-capable gaming PC, you’ll be tempted to pick up the $60 PS VR2 PC Adapter. It’s a great idea, but before you hit the buy button, there are a few things you should know and check first.
Some features may not work on the computer
The PlayStation VR2 is the best headset for the price, with a great screen, great comfort and many neat features. On PS5, you can enjoy eye tracking, which helps improve performance by delivering high-quality visuals only where your eye is currently looking. You get eye-popping HDR, which makes the scenery feel more realistic.
The PS VR2 headset vibrates and features the same advanced haptic feedback as the Sony DualSense controller. Unfortunately, none of these features actually work on the computer at startup. Some games may be supported in the future either through individual developer efforts or by updating the Sony PS VR2 PC app, but at the time of writing, you shouldn’t expect anything more than a basic VR experience with the pair. With a PC.
Bluetooth is a great thing
PS VR2 controllers are not connected to a headset or PC adapter. Instead, they connect directly to the Bluetooth adapter on your computer. If you don’t have one, you should buy one. However, it must have Bluetooth 4.0 or newer. I have a laptop with a bluetooth 5 adapter and the controllers work fine, but you can see many reviewers and customers saying their bluetooth adapters don’t work well with the controllers. If you already have a Bluetooth 4.0 or newer controller, it makes sense to try that first, but be prepared to buy a new one if things don’t work out. It would have been great if Sony had included a fully compatible controller in the PC adapter, but unfortunately the onus now falls on you. Fortunately, Sony has a list of compatible adapters.
You need a free DisplayPort connection
The adapter uses DisplayPort 1.4, and if your graphics card has one of these, you’ll need to use it for VR. It’s not a big deal if you have multiple ports, but if you want to use features that rely on DisplayPort, such as G-Sync or very high refresh rates, switching your monitor to HDMI isn’t ideal.
DisplayPort cannot be used with USB-C
Even if you have a USB or Thunderbolt port with DisplayPort support, it won’t work with the PS VR2 adapter. The PS VR2 documentation makes it clear, but I tried it myself and it didn’t work. This is a big problem for anyone with a gaming laptop that doesn’t have a DisplayPort output. In my case, my gaming laptop has a mini-DisplayPort connector and it works fine; But if you don’t, the adapter is a non-starter.
You don’t really need an adapter
You may recall that on some GPUs the USB-C connector is labeled as a “VirtualLink” connector on the back. This connector is designed for VR and integrates the data and video protocols required for a good VR experience. Since it is built into the GPU, it also guarantees low latency. Nvidia stopped including this connection after the 20-series RTX cards, but AMD added it to the 6000- and 7000-series cards.
The PS VR2 adapter actually seems to offer VirtualLink, so if your graphics card has a USB-C port on the back, try using your PS VR2 with it to see if it already works without the adapter. If you do, you’ll save yourself $60. It’s not a lot of money, but if you don’t have to spend it, it’s worth checking out for five minutes. Besides, PS VR2 PC adapters seem to be sold out, so it might take you a while to find one.
Don’t be afraid to buy the PlayStation VR 2 PC Adapter
It’s important to double-check that you have everything you need, and consider whether you need an adapter. But assuming all is well and you’re ready to buy, there’s no reason to hesitate about Sony’s PC adapter. In my experience, it performs reliably and is definitely one of the best value for money PC VR options on the market today!
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