Hmm, I'm not sure but, you could always get one and see how well it goes and if it doesn't work out upgrade to an i5 later.

I highly doubt it. Don't they recommend an AMD R9 290X GPU for use with the Rift? I doubt the GPU in the Alpha can handle the Rift. (Not dogging the Alpha, I currently own one computer which is the Alpha)

The "requirements" for the consumer version of the Rift aren't because it actually needs those hardware requirements, it's what Oculus recommend for running consistently at 60+ frames per second. For the Oculus, you need a consistent frame rate so you don't throw up when the frame rate starts to jump up and down.

You might be able to run the Rift on either the i3 or i5, but the GPU that comes with the Alpha isn't that fantastic. If you're serious about using the Rift, you really should buy or upgrade another PC.

I'm happy to post suggested specs.

Thanks,has anyone tried to use the rift with the Alpha ?

No, because it's not out yet, and the DK2 runs at a much lower res than the final product will.

According to this blog post, about the final version of the Rift:
https://developer.oculus.com/blog/powering-the-rift/

"By raw rendering costs alone, a VR game will require approximately 3x the GPU power of 1080p rendering"

The Alpha can do pretty well at 1080p with low to medium settings in most modern games. If low or console style framerates don't bother you, you can push games up to higher quality. However, this doesn't work well with the Rift, as low or wildly changing framerates will make you sick and generally be a terrible experience.

Hence, the Alpha is a terrible machine for the Oculus Rift. The Rift won't be coming out for consumers until the first quarter of next year, so I suggest to start saving or buying parts for a Rift capable machine now. The biggest expense will be your video card, followed by the CPU and then the motherboard, and it should get cheaper from that point onwards.

My main desktop/Rift capable machine is as follows (keep in mind, those are $AUD prices):
http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/ypD2CJ

I've been using a DK2 on an i5-3570/GTX 660 SC on Windows 7 HP since I got one in October.
It works fine.

Of course it's beta, so don't expect much hand holding. And there are some apps which obviously need an x80 Ti card to run FULL or ULTRA, but those seem to be the exceptions.

No. A much higher calibur of gpu is needed to run games (even lower demanding indie games)... since you are outputting to 2 images.

You'll pretty much need a dual-monitor capable gpu. If only the Alpha's gpu was upgradable..

Originally posted by joeisacow:

Originally posted by DontBlink +_- UrDead:

No. A much higher calibur of gpu is needed to run games (even lower demanding indie games)... since you are outputting to 2 images.

You'll pretty much need a dual-monitor capable gpu. If only the Alpha's gpu was upgradable..

I have the alpha with a duel monitor and games like gta v and justcause 3 on the duel monitor work just fine its called usb 3.0 to hdmi
also the alpha will run fine with the oculus rift just not at a constant 60 fps I gotta say 30-50 rarely 60

Ok, I have a usb to hdmi cord too... mainly use it to run video from my phone to tv since roxio and chromecast cannot support my videos.

Anyways,
I'm not sure how your comment makes any sense. Have you seen the requirements for the Oculus Rift? http://www.cinemablend.com/m/games/Oculus-Rift-System-Requirements-Announced-71938.html

I can tell you don't have much knowledge of how the Oculus Rift works (or VR in that matter). Just because you can get away with running dual monitors with the Alpha, doesn't mean that you can games on Oculus Rift.

While you're strictly talking about spliting 2 images being split and processed, VR is a totally different beast. Your pc's specs are being split down the middle... cpu, ram, gpu, ect. You are not thinking about the Oculus' tracking and image depth of field and other processing methods, that's where alot if people go wrong.

No, the Alienware Alpha will not be able to handle Oculus Rift. Check out the link and read the minimum requirements. Then why don't you feel free to check out the minimum requirements for Return To Dinosaur Island on Steam's store page. This will give you more insight of how much power VR actually needs.

Originally posted by Deus Maximus:

The "requirements" for the consumer version of the Rift aren't because it actually needs those hardware requirements, it's what Oculus recommend for running consistently at 60+ frames per second. For the Oculus, you need a consistent frame rate so you don't throw up when the frame rate starts to jump up and down.

You might be able to run the Rift on either the i3 or i5, but the GPU that comes with the Alpha isn't that fantastic. If you're serious about using the Rift, you really should buy or upgrade another PC.

I'm happy to post suggested specs.

The oculus actually works with the Alienware Alpha it has been done. Also there is an external GPU solution I am in the process of trying out the EXP GDC 8.0 which allows you to run a desktop gpu on any laptop. Which if it works is an option for upgrading to a suitable graphics card to run the oculus with the required card without having to hold back much. The alpha pasts all other tests for vr except gpu and this will solve that issue. I have already run the exp gdc in my alpha. It requires you to remove your wireless card and insert the cable there. I simply ran the cable to the rear of the housing and the hub sits outside. I will post a photo. I should mention that if this works you will need a power supply along with the desktop graphics card and maybe purchase a small housing to keep everything neat. It should look like your own version of the graphics extender lol.

http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2782648/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2782710/
http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2782719/

Originally posted by dameyon:

Originally posted by Deus Maximus:

The "requirements" for the consumer version of the Rift aren't because it actually needs those hardware requirements, it's what Oculus recommend for running consistently at 60+ frames per second. For the Oculus, you need a consistent frame rate so you don't throw up when the frame rate starts to jump up and down.

You might be able to run the Rift on either the i3 or i5, but the GPU that comes with the Alpha isn't that fantastic. If you're serious about using the Rift, you really should buy or upgrade another PC.

I'm happy to post suggested specs.

The oculus actually works with the Alienware Alpha it has been done. Also there is an external GPU solution I am in the process of trying out the EXP GDC 8.0 which allows you to run a desktop gpu on any laptop. Which if it works is an option for upgrading to a suitable graphics card to run the oculus. The alpha pasts all other tests for vr except gpu and this will solve that issue. I have already run the exp gdc in my alpha. It requires you to remove your wireless card and insert the cable there. I simply ran the cable to the rear of the housing and the hub sits outside. I will post a photo. I should mention that if this works you will need a power supply along with the desktop graphics card and maybe purchase a small housing to keep everything neat. It should look like your own version of the graphics extender lol.

That's awesome but that all being said, it's not really the Alienware Alpha right? It's an Alienware Alpha + Additional hardware which sadly defeats the purpose of this post :(

Still pretty cool though!

Thanks...It's still the Alpha none the less. Just instead of waiting on the devs to give us a product to upgrade our gpu like they did for other alienware products. Initiative is used. This is just a peripheral so to speak. Same as the graphics extender for the other alienware laptops except this is a consumer delivered solution as opposed to the devs bringing it to you.

I'm sure anyone with the alpha would love an option to upgrade the gpu. Especially if you want to try the oculus on it without having to worry about which titles work from which wont. Doing the test everything passes except for the gpu. This will solve that issue, no?

If you check the photos I posted you will have an idea of where I am coming from. Once my graphics card and power supply arrives Tuesday I will give an update and then try to find an affordable yet attractive housing for the set up that still stays suitable for a living room space.

Great news..It works and with only a gtx 960 the alpha is vr capable. Will upgrade to a better card and I'm good to go but so far every single game can run maxed..I have uploaded screen shots to steam playing street fighter V and I have posted performance results and so on on the overclock forum. You can follow link ad go back a few pages to follow the progress and see photos of the completed setup thus far. Just have to put the graphics card and power supply into an enclosure.