Brad Brown
Brad Brown is a Silicon valley computer programmer that lives in California.
2/1/2026
This document is currently in development and still being updated until further notice here.
Although, I try to make this document accurate, I'm not responsible or liable for any errors. I'm not responsible or liable for any problems or damages that you might encounter if you use any information from this document. In addition, any work you do is done at your own risk.
You hear all kinds of things about what setup you need to run PC VR (PCVR) with most saying you need dedicated graphics and a fast router.
In my test I show you can play PCVR using integrated graphics with the Quest 3s headset and in addition, you don't even need a router.
This is important to me because I don't have dedicated graphics and don't really want to get dedicated graphics.
However, your results might be better or worse than mine depending on your integrated graphics and drivers, the link software being used, and the game you are playing.
I only have the Quest 3s to test but everything likely will work the same with the Quest 3.
I don't have enough information to determine why so few games work with my integrated graphics.
For example, when a game fails to run I don't know if that same game would run even if I had a supported dedicated graphics card like an RTX 5060.
Most games that didn't run would try to start and just stop. A few games would only run in non-VR mode.
I think the reason some of the games don't work is because they don't support the quest 3s headset and it has nothing to do with my integrated graphics.
I think another reason some of the games don't work is because of incompatibility with the graphics drivers.
Quest 3s Headset with 2 controllers
Laptop with integrated graphics (iGPU)
Phone Hotspot (Throttled 5 Mbps) with Visible service. (Connect both the laptop and headset to the phone hotspot so they are on the same network and can connect.)
No router
I'm using a phone hotspot without a router but home internet service with a wi-fi router is more common.
I was sitting 3 feet in front of my laptop while testing. If you sit too far away it might not work.
Some PC VR link software has the capability of using a wired or wireless connection but I couldn't get anything to work with a wired connection.
This section is intended to give you an idea about how many TFLOPS you need for your integrated graphics to be able to run PCVR games.
Some of the games that required the Nvidia GTX 970 ran fine on my laptop but others ran slow; therefore, I think that the Nvidia GTX 970 is about the most my iGPU can run. In addition, lower polygon cartoon style environments are less taxing on the GPU.
My laptop iGPU has 1.9 TFLOPS so that might be near the minimum to run some PCVR games.
I would guess 4 TFLOPS would be powerful enough to run a lot more games.
A dedicated RTX 5060 GPU is about 10 TFLOPS which should be able to run almost any game. However, keep in mind even if you have a dedicated RTX 5060 or better I am guessing many games won't run due to other compatibility issues.
Intel Core i7 1255U 1.9 TFLOPS (My laptop iGPU tested.)
GeForce GTX 970 3.9 TFLOPS
GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop 9.7-16.6 TFLOPS (A current low end dedicated laptop GPU in 2026.)
The following PCVR link software can be used to stream VR games from your PC to the Quest 3/3s.
Meta Horizon Link: Free software from Meta.
SteamVR/Steam Link: Free software only works with steam VR games.
ALVR: Free open source software for steam VR games.
ALXR: Free open source OpenXR based ALVR client.
Virtual Desktop: Not free but I have heard good reviews for the software.
Monado: Free Cross-Platform Open-Source OpenXR™ runtime for Linux, Windows and Android.
AMD Radeon ReLive for VR: Only available with some Radeon GPUs.
Microsoft Mixed Reality Link: Free link software for Quest 3/3s but only for 2D and does not work for VR.
Supports both cable and wi-fi connection to your headset.
Headset: The Quest Link software is built-in so no extra download is required. To access the Quest Link software open quick settings by clicking on the clock at the bottom of the main menu bar and click on Link.
Connect both the laptop and headset to the phone hotspot so they are on the same network and can connect.
Start the Meta Horizon Link software on the PC.
Start the headset link software by clicking on the clock at the bottom of the main menu bar and click on Link.
Supports only a wi-fi connection to your headset.
Only works with SteamVR games by default.
PC: First install the Steam software. Second install the free SteamVR software from the Steam store.
Headset: Install the free Steam Link software from the Quest store.
Connect both the laptop and headset to the phone hotspot so they are on the same network and can connect.
Start the Steam software on the PC.
Start the SteamVR software on the PC.
Start the headset link software.
Start the steam VR game of your choice on the PC.
Start playing the PC VR game on the headset.
Supports both cable and wi-fi connection to your headset.
Only works with SteamVR games by default.
Connect both the laptop and headset to the phone hotspot so they are on the same network and can connect.
Start the Steam software on the PC.
Start the ALVR software on the PC.
Start SteamVR on the PC. Tip: You can start SteamVR from the button on the ALVR software on the PC.
Start the ALVR software on the headset.
Start the steam VR game of your choice from the Steam software on your PC.
Start playing the PC VR game from the headset.
I did not evaluate this software yet.
PC: ALXR
I did not evaluate this software yet.
PC: Monado
I did not evaluate this software yet.
Headset: Install the free Microsoft Mixed Reality Link software from the Quest store.
Coming soon
CPU: Intel Core i7 1255U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (96EU)
GPU TFLOPS: 1.9
RAM: 16 GB
Wi-fi: 6e
Fail
Since ALVR works Meta could have supported my integrated graphics but perhaps because they deemed it too slow they didn't want to. It looks like they are blocking my iGPU from even having a chance of working.
Fail
ALVR actually uses SteamVR and it works so I am guessing it is some bug as to why I can't get SteamVR to work with my integrated graphics.
Fail
I tested over 50 games so far but I was only able to find a 7 games that fully work in VR mode.
All games tested are free, about 1 GB or less, and most require the Nvidia GTX 970 or less.
I had to start some games over 10 times before they would run.
I think Appointment Mentor VR is best to start testing because it was the most stable game I found so far.
Appointment Mentor VR
Playable Alpha
Cosmic Flow: A Relaxing VR Experience
Faking to Dance
BUS SIMULATOR
Mind Muscle VR
FERIT Simulator (Character movement doesn't work.)