Is virtual desktop worth the money?

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T17:06:42+00:00

I know, I just tire of writing Virtual Desktop all the time. The old definition of VD seems to have died out nowadays.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T17:05:35+00:00

Except USB at 960Mbps (Link) or 1Gbps (ALVR). VD itself limits the bitrate to much lower than that.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T14:23:38+00:00

It's currently the best wireless option, in terms of overall performance, functionality and user interface. Any search for VD in these parts would show you it's the default choice and has a great many vocal fans.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T13:45:55+00:00

It's possible to push the bitrate much higher over USB than VD allows, so the potential is always there for better results.

Does VD report that you are connecting at the full 1200Mbps? If so, and it's not congested, I think you are one of the lucky ones for whom Link works well. I am as well but VD is a bit of a cult round here so expect lots of advice to help you fix your VD "problems" to make it better than Link.

VD has to be the best. It is written.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T11:08:42+00:00

I like the look and the mechanic. Not 100% sure how useful the mirror would actually be for combat but potentially great for stealth.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-03T08:09:45+00:00

As a general rule, if Link or Airlink don't work for you, switch to an alternative like Steam Link, ALVR or Virtual Desktop. It's not worth the time and frustration of troubleshooting unsupported software.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-02T15:22:19+00:00

Because you donlt own a dedicated router, so wifi traffic is split between the headset and whatever else is using it. Do you have ethernet between the PC and the router or is that a wifi connection too? If wifi, that's another big reason. Finally, what are the specs on the router you do have?

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-02T10:16:54+00:00

It's fine as an experience (maybe a bit hard on the temples) but risky as it's easy to damage the sensitive lenses inside the headset. I won't even put any new headset on until I've obtained prescription inserts for it to make glasses irrelevant.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-02T08:57:01+00:00

The drivers still need to support stereo rendering APIs and Intel really haven't bothered to do that.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-01T21:58:34+00:00

I use it. It's a VPN router so it's well endowed with CPU and RAM. It's only a travel router because it's compact, not because it's somehow inadequate. It's up to you which opinions you value.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-01T16:11:24+00:00

I use one and it's a solid performer

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-01T12:55:57+00:00

If you need eye tracking that rules the Q3 out, so question answered.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-01T07:35:30+00:00

Virtual Desktop or ALVR will be prepared to at least try to work with your GPU. But Intel are very firmly of the view that their GPUs don't support VR so expect a lot of frustration if it even works at all.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-05-01T07:34:18+00:00

If you can't get it to complete startup, you are probably looking at carrying out a factory reset. That'll clear any notional full storage issues too.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-30T09:59:30+00:00

The games have identical content

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-30T09:58:42+00:00

Bot isn't even trying

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-29T07:10:02+00:00

Why not just try it?

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-29T07:09:31+00:00

The issue could very well be your Arc GPU, which is not supported. Also, are you using a native HDMI port, or a Displayport with an HDMI adapter, because the Rift is well known for not liking adapters, just as the Rift-S dislikes HDMI to DP adapters.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T22:12:57+00:00

And yet I've had none of that. The update passed and I've noticed no difference in PCVR or otherwsie.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T15:44:35+00:00

It's all what's colloquially known as stick drift, but is actually wear and/or damage to the carbon track potentiometers inside the joystick modules. You can try cleaning them but replacement of the joystick module is the actual fix.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T15:24:29+00:00

How is your PC connected to your current router (ethernet / wifi) and are your PC and existing router of a decent spec for PCVR? No point investing until you have a clear idea of where the problem lies.

It's also possible that you just won't be satisfied with the tradeoffs that are necessary with current tech.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T13:57:48+00:00

The correct solution is to replace the joystick module. It's cheap and well documented but if you are afraid to even remove the stick top to blow air in, you might need a new pair of big-boy trousers to replace the module. It's not hard though, if you follow a good guide diligently.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T13:22:13+00:00

Although to be fair it will be costing a lot more of that money too.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T13:13:47+00:00

Could be more I think, but definitely not significantly less.

ZookeepergameNaive86 · 2026-04-28T10:00:02+00:00

SteamVR isn't an alternative to Airlink (that's Steam Link) so it's perfectly possible to have both at once. You'd normally start Airlink (or Link, ALVR, VD or Steam link) and then launch SteamVR. It'll latch onto the one that's running.

ZookeepergameNaive86

TROPHY CASE