Skip to main content
Sign Out

Welcome to Dell

My Account
  • Place orders quickly and easily
  • View orders and track your shipping status
  • Enjoy members-only rewards and discounts
  • Create and access a list of your products
Sign In Create an Account Dell Financial Services Premier Sign In Partner Program Sign In
Contact Us

Your Dell.com Carts

Some article numbers may have changed. If this isn't what you're looking for, try searching all articles. Search articles

Alienware Graphics Amplifier VR Support FAQ

Summary: FAQ About the Alienware Graphics amplifier and its support for VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

Supported Systems:

 
  Alienware X51 R3   Alienware 17 R2/R3/R4   Alienware 15 R1/R2/R3   Alienware ALPHA R2
 

Q: Can you run Virtual Reality through the Alienware Graphics Amp?

A:

The short answer is Yes, but it does depend on the system specs of the computer and the graphics card in the Graphics amp. Users should follow the recommended specs for VR and check out the certified VR ready PC’s as posted by HTC or Oculus. For VR through an Alienware Graphics Amplifier on Alienware notebooks, we would recommend using only the Alienware 15 R1/R2/R3 and Alienware 17 R2/R3/R4 with 8 GB of memory or higher and an Intel Core i7 or Core i7k processor in the system. For the Alienware X51 R3 and Alienware ALPHA R2 we would recommend a Core i5 processor with 8 GB of memory or higher. Do note, VR setups using the Alienware Graphics Amplifier are not a supported configuration of either the Oculus Ready or HTC Vive Optimized programs and each setup will vary in the ease of use and compatibility.

Here are the details for what you need to know for VR setup using a graphics Amplifier:

Make sure all software including: Video Driver, System BIOS, Alienware Command Center and Alienware Graphics Amplifier Drivers are up to date

VR on Alienware Notebooks using the Alienware Graphics Amplifier

  • Only Alienware 15 R1/R2/R3 and Alienware 17 R2/R3/R4
  • System processor must be an Intel Core i7 CPU or higher
  • System memory must be 8 GB ram or higher
  • Alienware Graphics Amplifier has an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD 390 GPU or higher

VR on Alienware Desktops using the Alienware Graphics Amplifier:

  • System processor must be an Intel Core i5 CPU or higher
  • System memory must be 8 GB ram or higher
  • Alienware Graphics Amplifier has an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD 390 GPU or high

HTC Vive on the Alienware Graphics Amplifier:

  • Connect all cables from the HTC Vive directly into the Alienware Graphics Amplifier ports.
  • Nvidia GPU (that meet or exceed the recommended spec) work without any changes
  • AMD GPU (that meet or exceed the recommended spec) currently experience issues with correctly focusing VR to HTC Vive. AMD is aware of the issue and is working on this, but there is no known fix at this time.

Oculus Rift on the Alienware Graphics Amplifier:

  • Connect all cables from the Oculus Rift directly into the Alienware Graphics Amplifier ports.
  • Some VR games or applications, on both NVIDIA and AMD GPU (that meet or exceed the recommended spec) will require you to "allow list" the apps in the graphics driver. In this step the user will assign the graphics card in the Alienware Graphics Amplifier to run the app rather than the GPU in the Alienware desktop or Notebook.

    • Details for allow listing apps for NVIDIA and AMD.

Back to Top

Cause

SLN316295_en_US__1I_aw_2016logo_mr_v1

   SLN316295_en_US__2iC_aw_twitter_mr_v1   SLN316295_en_US__3iC_aw_youtube_mr_v1   SLN316295_en_US__4iC_aw_facebook_mr_v1   SLN316295_en_US__5iC_aw_alienhead_mr_v1

Resolution

Out of Warranty support Out of warranty? No problem. Visit the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.

NOTE: Currently, offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, and France PC customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Affected Products

Alienware 13, Alienware 13 R2, Alienware 15, Alienware 15 R2, Alienware 17 R2, Alienware 17 R3, Alienware Alpha R2 & Alienware Steam Machine R2, Alienware X51 R3
Article Properties
Article Number: 000178425
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 31 Aug 2024
Version:  6
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.