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

Revisions

Vive Predeveloper kit, early 2016

Vive Business Editioncommercial licensing bundle, 2017

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