It blocks more light around the nose, and the weight is distributed better to avoid it slipping or causing any pressure points. Oculus worked with Lenovo's Legion gaming division to design the Rift S, and the result is a headset that is more comfortable to wear for some people. The same input and hand presence apply here even though some buttons have been moved. It now loops over the top of the controller so that the headset can more easily keep it in view. Like the first generation of Touch, the new hardware has a ring around the controller covered in IR lights. To go along with Oculus Insight tracking, the Rift S also comes with new Touch controllers that we first saw alongside the Quest. It looks for distinct features, like corners and edges, and builds a 3D map of the playspace, then combines it with data coming from the headset's gyroscope and accelerometer to identify the headset's position in space once every millisecond. With five sensors built into the Rift S headset, Insight is capable of scanning all items in your VR space for a true representation of the physical world. To remove the necessity of having to set up three or four external Rift sensors to get a quality room-scale experience, the Rift S uses Oculus Insight, which was first introduced with the Oculus Quest. Conversely, other new headsets feature refresh rates up to 144Hz. Oddly enough, the refresh rate was decreased from 90Hz on the original Rift to 80Hz on the Rift S. The Oculus Rift S utilizes an RGB stripe display, meaning its pixels are all aligned in a perfect grid. That means there are large gaps between pixels since these diamonds can't be arranged in a straight grid. The original Oculus Rift used a display with a diamond pentile subpixel layout. The biggest improvement in display quality isn't the resolution though, it's the pixel arrangement. Instead of the OLED display with 2160x1440 resolution and 90Hz refresh rate that was used in the original Rift, the Rift S has a single LCD display with a 2560x1440 resolution. Higher pixel density means you will see less of a grid when focusing on the display - also known as SDE - and the picture is sharper which, together, increases the immersion level. You’ll also want to keep in mind that Facebook discontinued the Rift S, so if you miss out on the sale, it’s possible you won’t find it in stock again.The Rift S has been redesigned with improved lenses and a better display, which together ultimately delivers a better-looking VR experience.
But Oculus says that it may be required beginning in January of 2023. While the Quest 2 can connect to a PC using the new Link system, it has slightly higher latency than the Rift S, so if VR gaming with PC is your true goal, the Rift S is still the better pick.Īt the time of writing, you don’t need a Facebook account to use the Rift S. While it’s not the sharpest display on the market, it’s one of the smoothest displays in Oculus’ lineup, topped only by the Oculus Quest 2. In terms of display, the headset comes in at a 1280×1440 resolution, with an 80 Hz refresh rate. Of course, if you already have high-end gear, buying better equipment probably won’t make a difference.
#Oculus rift s pc powered vr gaming headset upgrade
So, if you decide to upgrade your PC rig down the line, your Rift S experience will likely improve as well. Unlike some of Oculus’ other headsets, the Rift S experience isn’t tied to the headset’s hardware. Oculus has a list of recommended specs on its product page. This also means you’ll need a pretty decent computer to get a great experience. The biggest potential downside to the Oculus Rift S versus other models is that it’s wired, meaning you’ll be tethered to your PC. You’ll also get “3D Positional Sound” with the built-in headphones. Expect up to 12 hours before needing to swap them out.
The headset includes two wireless Oculus Touch controllers, which run on AA batteries. You can buy the headset directly on Oculus’ site, or at Lenovo, Walmart, and Amazon. The company is taking $100 off its high-end Rift S model, bringing the price down to $299. Have a gaming PC but want a VR headset? Oculus has your back.