✓ VERIFIED

HTC Vive

2016–2019 · headset

Specifications

Cpu: No onboard compute; tethered to a host PC via HDMI/USB, all rendering done on the connected GPU
Battery: None (headset and controllers are wired/rechargeable, no headset battery; controllers use rechargeable Li-Ion, ~6 hours per charge)
Display: Dual 3.6" OLED panels, 1080x1200 per eye (2160x1200 combined), 90 Hz refresh, ~110 degree field of view
Storage: base: None onboard · options:
Case Sizes: One size, adjustable head strap
Os Support: latest: SteamVR on Windows 10/11, Vive was end-of-life'd by HTC in 2019 in favor of Vive Pro/Cosmos · shipped: SteamVR on Windows 7 SP1 or later
Release Price: $799 / £689 (headset, two Lighthouse base stations, two wand controllers)

Variants

Models

Vive (2016 launch)Original SteamVR 1.0 tracking, room-scale up to roughly 5m x 5m with two Lighthouse base stations.

Deluxe Audio Strap bundleLater retail bundles added the Deluxe Audio Strap (integrated headphones, tool-free fit adjustment) in place of the original rubber strap and separate earbuds.

Upgrade paths

display

Fixed dual 1080x1200 OLED panels at 90 Hz, no field upgrade · Panels are not user-replaceable; higher resolution required stepping up to Vive Pro.

LOCKED

other

Deluxe Audio Strap retrofit (integrated headphones, tool-free strap adjustment) · Officially sold as a standalone accessory, snaps onto the stock headset without tools.

~$99

EASY

other

Third-party face cushions, prescription lens inserts, and wireless adapter (TPCast or Vive Wireless Adapter) · Large enthusiast and modding aftermarket grew around comfort and cable-management upgrades since the base kit is wired to the PC.

~$300 for a wireless adapter

MODERATE

CPU

Bound by host PC GPU/CPU, no onboard compute to upgrade · All rendering happens on the tethered PC, so effective performance scales with whatever GPU drives it, not the headset itself.

LOCKED