Virtual Reality Battle: Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive
Although virtual reality sounds like a thing of the future, it actually is quite an old concept. The technology has been in constant experimentation and tests for decades but an important development this year led to the production and unveiling of virtual reality or VR gadgets.
Two of the first to reach the mainstream market are the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, both of which are leading the race along with the Samsung Gear VR goggles. But this time, let's focus on the Rift and Vive and figure out what separates both devices.
Price
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The Oculus Rift is currently sold at $599 and is labeled as high-end device that hands out smooth gameplay and remarkable graphics. The HTC Vive on the other hand is substantially costlier at $799, but it does offer something that no other competing device has – the motion-tracking base stations coupled with special controllers.
Notable Features and Specs
It's no secret that both devices come with superb technology that results to ultimate virtual reality experience. However, they are made by two separate and competing brands, so it is expected that they come with more differences than similarities. To be able to use the Rift, the computer system must have at least an NVIDIA GTX 970 or the AMD R9 290, Intel i5-4590 processor, and at least 8GB of RAM. HTC's Vive on the other hand needs the same specs of video graphics card, but will only require at least 4GB of RAM.
The best things about the Oculus Rift are its sensors that can track the user's movement, stunning visuals, and industry-based gameplay compatibility without lag. But the obvious downside is that there is a need for the highest-end gaming system for it to work, which means it isn't intended for mid-range gaming.
The HTC Vive on the other hand is the closest thing to the future right now. The two most important features are the motion-tracking base stations and special controllers. With the combination of those two, the player/wearer is able to immerse in a virtual world by walking around and even touching objects as if they are real. Just like the Rift though, it also requires a high-end gaming PC, although it isn't as strict. For both devices though, the cord is a major inconvenience.
In the end, both devices are surefire worthy of their respective price tags, though anyone will wonder how much of a difference will they obtain for a $200 price difference.
