Windows Mixed Reality PC hardware guidelines

Applies to: Windows 10

The best way to experience Windows Mixed Reality is with a new Windows Mixed Reality-ready PC. To see if your current PC will run Windows Mixed Reality, take a look at these hardware guidelines, or run the Windows Mixed Reality PC Check app. Keep in mind that performance and features may vary depending on your exact setup. 

Before setting up Windows Mixed Reality, be sure to check for software updates. Select Settings  > Update & Security  > Check for updates.

Looking for help with Windows Mixed Reality PC Check results? See this topic.

Features and experiences

Windows 10 powers both Windows Mixed Reality and Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. Which version you experience depends on your PC hardware.

With Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, you get some additional capabilities and features:

  • Crisper visuals and a higher refresh rate (90 frames per second).

  • More apps and experiences—including the most graphics-intensive games.

  • A ‘’mirror’’ window on your desktop that shows what you see in mixed reality.

  • Record and share videos (as well as photos) of your mixed reality experiences.

PC hardware guidelines

See hardware guidelines for Surface devices

  Windows Mixed Reality Windows Mixed Reality Ultra

Operating system

 Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later Windows 10 Fall Creators Update or later
Processor

Intel® Core™ i5 7200U (7th generation mobile), dual core with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology enabled or better

AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4Ghz (desktop), quad core or better

Intel® Core™ i5 4590 (4th generation desktop), quad core or better

AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4Ghz (desktop), quad core or better
RAM 8GB DDR3 dual channel 8GB DDR3 or better
Disk space 10 GB 10 GB
Graphics card

Compatible GPUs:

  • Integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 or greater DX12-capable integrated GPU
  • Nvidia MX150 discrete GPU
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 discrete GPU
  • Nvidia 965M discrete GPU
  • AMD Radeon RX 460/560

Note: older Intel GPUs such as HD Graphics 4xx, 5xx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx are not supported.

Compatible GPUs:

  • NVidia Geforce GTX 1060 or greater DX12-capable discrete GPU
  • AMD Radeon RX 470/570 or greater DX12-capable discrete GPU
Graphics driver Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2  Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 
Graphics display port HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2
Monitor External or integrated VGA (800x600) monitor External or integrated VGA (800x600) monitor
USB type USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C

Bluetooth type (for controllers)*

*Some headsets have built-in Bluetooth. In this case, Bluetooth 4.0 is not required on the PC.

 Bluetooth 4.0 Bluetooth 4.0

 

Ports and adapters

Different headsets may require different hardware ports, so make sure your PC has the correct ports to connect to your headset. If it doesn't, you can use one or more adapters to connect the headset. Some adapters may also require the addition of a coupler in order to connect to your PC and/or the headset cable.

Note: Microsoft does not manufacture, test, certify, or guarantee the functionality, reliability or quality of any adapter. For any questions, concerns, or issues with any adapter, you should contact the seller or manufacturer of your adapter.

Bluetooth

Depending on your headset, you may need Bluetooth 4.0 in order to use motion controllers. Some headsets have built-in Bluetooth and can connect directly to controllers. If you're using a headset without built-in Bluetooth and your PC doesn't support Bluetooth 4.0, you can use an adapter, plugged into a USB 2.0 port on the PC.

Recommended Bluetooth adapters:

  • Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter
  • Insignia Bluetooth 4.0 USB Adapter

PC data ports

Windows Mixed Reality headsets require a USB 3.0 Type-A data port. If your computer has a USB 3.0 Type-C port, you'll need a USB 3.0 Type-C to USB 3.0 Type-A adapter.

PC display ports

If your PC has this Then use this
DisplayPort 1.2 DisplayPort 1.x to HDMI 2.0
Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP) 1.2 Mini DisplayPort 1.x to HDMI 2.0
USB 3.0 Type-C USB 3.0 Type-C to HDMI 2.0

 

Recommended display port adapters:

The following display port adapters are all both 60Hz and 90Hz capable.

DisplayPort to HDMI:

  • Club 3D HDMI 2.0 Active Adapter (full size and mini)
  • Surface Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter
  • Plugable Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter
  • Cable Matters Active Gold Plated DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Supporting Eyefinity Technology & 4K Resolution

USB 3.0 Type C to HDMI (with Thunderbolt 3 support):

  • Plugable USB-C to HDMI 2.0 Cable
  • Accell USB-C to HDMI 2.0 Cable
  • Surface USB-C to HDMI Adapter

Surface info

The configurations of Surface Pro, Surface Book 2, and Surface Studio detailed in the chart below support Windows Mixed Reality. Before you set up mixed reality on your Surface device, be sure to check for software updates. Select Settings  > Update & Security  > Check for updates.

Surface model Required adapter Refresh rate Notes
Surface Pro (2017) HDMI 2.0 to Surface Mini DisplayPort 60 Hz
  • Only models with Intel 7th Gen Core i5 or i7 processor and at least 8 GB of RAM are supported.
  • Set the PC's power mode to best performance: On the Windows taskbar, select Battery . Then move the slider to Best performance.
Surface Book 2 (13.5" and 15") HDMI 2.0 to Surface USB C

Models with a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU: 90 Hz

Models with an integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 or discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU: 60 Hz

 
 
  • Models with an integrated GPU only: Set the PC's power mode to best performance: On the Windows taskbar, select Battery . Then move the slider to Best performance.
Surface Studio HDMI 2.0 to Surface Mini DisplayPort

Models with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965m GPU: 60 Hz

Models with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980m GPU: 90 Hz
  • Connect the mixed reality headset to the USB port with a "+" symbol.