Minimum PC hardware guidelines
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Contributors
For the best experience with Windows Mixed Reality you want to 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 apps and 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.
To see if your PC can run Windows Mixed Reality review the hardware guidelines below and run the Windows Mixed Reality PC Check 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 are using.
Note
Guidelines for development PCs are higher than those for consumers' PCs running mixed reality apps. If you're a mixed reality developer, see recommended development PC specifications.
Windows Mixed Reality PC Check app
The Windows Mixed Reality PC Check app is the best way to make sure your PC is ready to run Windows Mixed Reality.
Upon 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.
- You’re nearly there. This PC may be able to 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 will 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 encounter issues, you may need to troubleshoot or upgrade your PC. |
 | Your PC does not meet the requirements for the specified item. |
Compatibility guidelines
Important
We will be updating, making additions to and may be revising these Windows Mixed Reality PC Compatibility Guidelines. Please check back regularly for the latest guidelines and requirements.
| Windows Mixed Reality Ultra PCs | Windows Mixed Reality PCs | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (RS3) - Home, Pro, Business, Education. (Note: Not supported on N versions or Windows 10 Pro in S Mode) |
|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 4590 (4th generation), quad-core (or better) AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.4Ghz (desktop), quad-core (or better) | Intel Core i5 7200U (7th generation mobile), dual-core with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology enabled (or better) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR3 (or better) | 8GB DDR3 dual channel (or better) |
| Free disk space | At least 10 GB | |
| Graphics Card | Note: GPU must be hosted in a PCIe 3.0 x4+ Link slot | |
| Graphics Driver | Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 | Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.2 |
| Graphics display port | HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 | HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Display | Connected external or integrated VGA (800x600) display (or better) | |
| USB connectivity | USB 3.0 Type-A or Type-C | |
| Bluetooth connectivity (for motion controllers) | Bluetooth 4.0 | |
| Expected headset framerate | 90 Hz | 60 Hz |
Additional information:
- Larger laptops (with screens of at least 15") perform best.
- Hybrid graphics configurations are compatible only with a Windows Mixed Reality Ultra setup. The hybrid system’s discrete card must meet the same specifications listed for Windows Mixed Reality Ultra above.
- Different headsets may require different hardware ports, so make sure your PC has the correct ports or necessary adapters to connect to your headset.
Note
Discrete and integrated graphics hardware that don't meet the minimum confirmed specifications have not been tested, confirmed, or optimized for Windows Mixed Reality and may not function properly or at all.
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 and 16GB of RAM. This configuration supports all Windows Mixed Reality features @ 90Hz 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 8GB 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 is not). Similarly, the Surface USB-C to HDMI Adapter is also compatible with HDMI 2.0.
Warning
Not all Mini DisplayPort or USB-C to HDMI adapters are HDMI 2.0-capable. Consider checking for explicit “HDMI 2.0” compatibility or “4K” compatibility on any adapter.
More information on Surface compatibility with Windows Mixed Reality is available in the table below:
| Surface Device | Windows Mixed Reality Feature Support? | Recommended configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Pro (original)/ Surface Pro 2 | None | ||
| Surface Pro 3 | None | ||
| Surface Pro 4 | None | ||
| Surface 3 | None | ||
| Surface Book | None | ||
| Surface Book with Performance Base | None | ||
| Surface Go | None | ||
| Surface Book 2 (15") | Full | Intel Core i7/NVIDIA GTX 1060/16GB of RAM |
|
| Surface Book 2 (13.5") | Partial | Intel Core i7/NVIDIA GTX 1050/16GB of RAM |
|
| Surface Studio | Partial | Intel Core i7/ NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980m/16GB of RAM |
|
| Surface Pro (2017) | Partial | Intel Core i7/ Intel® Iris™ Plus Graphics 640/16GB of RAM |
|
| Surface Laptop | Partial | Intel Core i7/ Intel® Iris™ Plus Graphics 640/16GB of RAM |
|