Windows Mixed Reality minimum PC hardware compatibility guidelines

• 09/16/2020
• 9 minutes to read
• • h
  • t

• Applies to:

  Windows 10

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 extra 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 and photos of your mixed reality experiences.

Minimum PC hardware guidelines

For the best experience with Windows Mixed Reality, start with a new Windows Mixed Reality-ready PC or a Windows Mixed Reality-compatible PC that can provide Windows Mixed Reality Ultra experiences. Windows Mixed Reality Ultra provides crisper visuals at higher refresh rates, more app experiences including the most graphics-intensive games, mirroring of your Windows Mixed Reality experience on your desktop and the ability to record and share (photo and video) your experiences with others.

See if your PC can run Windows Mixed Reality by reviewing the hardware guidelines below and running the Mixed Reality Portal App.

Remember, your performance will vary depending on your exact setup. You'll also need to make sure your PC has the right ports for the Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset that you're using.

Mixed Reality Portal app

Mixed Reality Portal is the best way to make sure your PC is ready to run Windows Mixed Reality.

After running the app, you'll get one of the following messages:

• You're good to go. Your PC has what it takes to run Windows Mixed Reality.
• Supports some features. This PC can run Windows Mixed Reality, but some features might be limited.
• Can't run mixed reality. This PC doesn't meet the minimum requirements needed to run Windows Mixed Reality.

You'll then get an analysis of your PC against the required hardware, drivers, and operating system.

Icon	What it means
	Your PC passes the required item.
	There may be issues with your PC for the given requirement. If you come across issues, you may need to troubleshoot or upgrade your PC.
	Your PC doesn't meet the requirements for the specified item.

Get help with Mixed Reality Portal results

Compatibility guidelines

HP Reverb Compatible Specs
Because of the higher resolution, the following requirements apply to the HP Reverb G1 & G2 product lines to ensure optimal 90 Hz, full resolution experience:

• Intel Core i5, i7, Intel Xenon E3-1240 v5, equivalent or better. AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent or better.
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, AMD Radeon RX 5700, equivalent or better
• Memory: 8-GB RAM or more
• 1x Display Port 1.3
• 1x USB 3.0 Type-C with power delivery (or included power adapter)
• Windows 10 May 2019 update or later

All Other WMR Compatible Headsets
For all other HMDs, refer to the following requirements:

Additional information:

• Larger laptops with screens of at least 15" do the best.
• For the best experience, we recommend an 8th Gen Intel® Core™ or 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor.
• Hybrid graphics configurations are compatible only with Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. The discrete graphics adapter in any hybrid configuration must meet all the requirements listed in the Windows Mixed Reality guidelines for discrete graphics adapters.
• If you have a discrete graphics card that should run Windows Mixed Reality Ultra, but it's defaulting to a 60 Hz (60 frames per second) refresh rate, use a full-size DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 adapter to plug in your headset and enable a 90-Hz refresh rate.
• Different headsets may require different hardware ports, so make sure your PC has the correct ports or necessary adapters to connect to your headset.

Windows Mixed Reality and Surface

For the best Windows Mixed Reality experience on a Surface device, we recommend the SurfaceBook 2 (15”) configured with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GB and 16 GB of RAM. This configuration supports all Windows Mixed Reality features @ 90 Hz and has been tested and badged for Windows Mixed Reality Ultra. The Surface Book 2 (13”), Surface Studio, Surface Laptop, and Surface Pro (2017) will all support some Windows Mixed Reality features when configured with an Intel Core i5 CPU (or better) and at least 8 GB of RAM.

Requirements:

• Surface products require driver updates to be compatible with Windows Mixed Reality. These drivers can be installed on your Surface by going to Settings > Update and Security > Check for Updates.
• Surface products require an adapter from the video port (Mini DisplayPort or USB-C, depending on the Surface PC) to HDMI 2.0 for Windows Mixed Reality headsets. The most recent version of the Surface Mini-DisplayPort to HDMI AV Adapter is compatible with HDMI 2.0 (the older version isn't). Similarly, the Surface USB-C to HDMI Adapter is also compatible with HDMI 2.0.

More information on Surface compatibility with Windows Mixed Reality is available in the table below:

See also

• Ask the community
• Contact us for support
• Recommended adapters for Windows Mixed Reality capable PCs