How to build a PC for Windows Mixed Reality

Windows Mixed Reality is well on its way, and so are the PCs required to run it. While there are plenty of laptops and pre-built PCs already on the market that do a handy job of running VR and MR, you might be wondering what hardware you need if you want to build your own PC specifically made for Windows Mixed Reality.

See at Microsoft Store

Windows Mixed Reality system requirements

In order to have a positive experience, Microsoft recommends having at least this level of hardware in your PC.

• CPU: Intel Mobile Core i5 (e.g. 7200U) Dual-Core with Hyperthreading equivalent
• GPU: Integrated Intel® HD Graphics 620 (GT2) equivalent or greater DX12 API Capable GPU
• RAM: 8GB+ Dual Channel required for integrated Graphics
• HDMI: HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 60Hz head-mounted displays
• HDMI: HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 for 90Hz head-mounted displays
• HDD: 100GB+ SSD (Preferred) / HDD
• USB: USB 3.0 Type-A or USB 3.1 Type-C Port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0 for accessories

With these specs in mind, we can put together a few decent PC build that will have no problem running Windows Mixed Reality.

Building a PC for Windows Mixed Reality

Focusing on the main parts of a PC, like the processor, GPU, RAM, and hard drive, there are a bunch of options available based on your budget. You can build an overkill PC, a powerful PC, or a baseline PC, all of which will run Windows Mixed Reality.

Overkill PC

If you have an unlimited budget and would like a top performer, this is the PC for you. It has a powerful processor, one of the best GPUs you can buy right now, and all the ports required to hook up Windows Mixed Reality.

All prices are approximate.

• Motherboard: ASUS MAXIMUS IX HERO — $225
• Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-7700K, Quad-core, 4.2GHz base clock speed — $359 (with cooler)
• Memory (RAM): G.SKILL Trident Z Series, 2x16GB, DDR4-3200MHz — $239
• Graphics (GPU): EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Founders Edition, 11GB GDDR5 VRAM — $765
• Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 1TB M.2 solid-state drive — $450
• Power supply (PSU): EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W — $85
• Case: Fractal Design Define S — $95
• OS: Windows 10 Pro — $200

Total price: Approximately $2,418

Powerful PC

If you'd like a PC that can pretty much chew through anything you throw at it, including most new regular games and any other VR headsets you have, this is it.

All prices are approximate.

• Motherboard: ASUS STRIX Z270F ATX — $174
• Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-7500, Quad-core, 3.4GHz base clock speed — $230 (with cooler)
• Memory (RAM): Corsair Vengeance LPX, 2x8GB, DDR4-3000MHz — $130
• Graphics (GPU): EVGA GeForce GTX 1070, 8GB GDDR5 VRAM — $400
• Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB solid-state drive — $180
• Power supply (PSU): EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W — $85
• Case: Corsair 500R Black — $80
• OS: Windows 10 Pro — $200

Total price: Approximately $1,479

Baseline PC

Just want a PC that can power Windows Mixed Reality? No problem. This will do, and it will also cost the least amount of money. You still have the ports required, the processor has more than enough power, and dual channels of RAM will have no problem running Windows Mixed Reality. It will also do a fine job of running a lot of current regular PC games.

All prices are approximate.

• Motherboard: ASUS 970 Pro Gaming — $80
• Processor (CPU): AMD FX-6300, Six-core, 3.5GHz base clock speed — $80 (with cooler)
• Memory (RAM): G.Skill Ripjaws X Series, 2x4GB, DDR3-1600MHz — $67
• Graphics (GPU): MSI Radeon RX 460, 2GB GDDR5 VRAM — $79
• Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB hard-disk drive — $50
• Power supply (PSU): Antec EarthWatts Green 380W — $49
• Case: Corsair 500R Black — $80
• OS: Windows 10 Home — $120

Total price: Approximately $605

Your Windows Mixed Reality PC build

Do any of the above builds appeal to you? Which one would work best for you? Remember, you can always mix and match parts to find a price that works for you; just make sure all parts are compatible.

• See Windows Mixed Reality Development Edition kits at Microsoft
• Best laptops for Windows Mixed Reality
• Best pre-built desktop PC for VR