Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo check whether your PC can run Half-Life: Alyx, compare its CPU, graphics card and VRAM, memory, and operating system with the game’s published minimums. For a Meta Quest connected wirelessly through Steam Link, also check Steam Link’s separate PC, headset, and Wi-Fi requirements. Meeting either set of minimums is a baseline check—not a promise of a particular frame rate or a stable stream.
What PC specs does Half-Life: Alyx require?
Valve’s Steam listing specifies the following minimum requirements for the PC version. The listing was checked on October 4, 2026.
| Component | Published minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-7500 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, each with 6 GB VRAM |
| Operating system | Windows 10, 64-bit |
| VR software | SteamVR |
These are the game’s minimum specifications, not recommended specifications. Steam’s listing does not show a filled-out recommended-spec list. See Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx Steam listing.
How do I check my PC against the minimums?
Use Windows to identify the hardware actually installed, then compare each item with the table above. A GPU’s product name alone is not enough: confirm its dedicated video memory (VRAM) as well.
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- Check the processor and installed RAM: In Windows, open Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, note the processor model and installed RAM.
- Check the graphics adapter and VRAM: Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, then select Display adapter properties. Note the adapter name and its dedicated video memory. If your PC lists more than one adapter, identify the discrete graphics card used for games rather than assuming the integrated adapter is the gaming GPU.
- Check Windows edition and system type: In Settings > System > About, check Windows specifications and System type. The game lists Windows 10 and a 64-bit processor and operating system.
- Compare every value: Check the CPU model, GPU model and 6 GB VRAM, at least 12 GB RAM, and operating system separately. A match on one component does not compensate for a shortfall in another.
Windows labels can vary slightly by version. If you cannot find the VRAM figure in Settings, use the graphics card’s manufacturer specifications for the exact adapter model rather than inferring memory from the model name.
Can my PC run Half-Life: Alyx on a VR headset?
Half-Life: Alyx is a PC VR game, so meeting desktop game requirements alone is not sufficient. The PCVR route also needs VR hardware and SteamVR. Valve’s guidance is that computer VR hardware that works with SteamVR works with the game; that guidance assumes the headset, PC, runtime, and required setup are in place. The game supports roomscale and seated or standing play, with teleport, shift, and continuous movement options. Read Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx VR information.
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If you use a different PCVR headset or connection method, check that the headset works with SteamVR and follow its setup requirements. A headset’s compatibility does not establish that a PC below the game’s minimum will perform well.
What else is required to stream it wirelessly to Meta Quest?
Wireless streaming adds a separate compatibility and network check; it does not replace the game’s PC requirements. Meta’s Steam Link listing, accessed October 4, 2026, specifies Steam and SteamVR on the computer, Windows 10 or newer, and a compatible Quest. It supports Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro. The headset and PC need to be on the same network for setup.
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| Steam Link item | Meta’s stated requirement or recommendation |
|---|---|
| Quest headset | Quest 2, Quest 3, or Quest Pro |
| PC software and OS | Steam and SteamVR; Windows 10 or newer |
| Router minimum | At least a 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 router |
| Network recommendation | Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E; connect the computer to the router by Ethernet |
| PC memory recommendation | 16 GB RAM |
| GPU recommendation | NVIDIA RTX 2070 or better, or AMD RX 6600 or better |
These stronger GPU and memory figures are Meta’s Steam Link recommendations, not the minimums on the game’s Steam page. A suitable router can help with the wireless leg of the setup, but it cannot substitute for a PC that can render the game. Check Meta’s Steam Link listing for its stated requirements.
What does meeting the minimum actually tell me?
It tells you that your listed hardware matches Valve’s published minimum baseline. It does not establish a specific frame rate, graphics quality, or—if streaming wirelessly—a consistently smooth connection. The outcome also depends on the complete PC, headset settings, and, for wireless play, network conditions. The official requirements do not give a universal performance prediction for every PC, headset, and network combination.
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Steam Support says that on first launch, or after hardware changes, the game benchmarks the CPU and GPU, checks available system memory, and tries to choose appropriate graphics settings. You can inspect the game’s advanced performance options if you need to adjust settings. The automatic selection is a starting point, not a guarantee that every setup will be smooth. See Steam Support’s Half-Life: Alyx performance guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I interpret a PC that misses a minimum?
Record which requirement falls short—for example, less than 12 GB RAM, a GPU with less than 6 GB VRAM, or a processor below the listed models. The official minimum list does not predict the exact result for every below-minimum configuration, so a shortfall cannot be translated into a reliable frame-rate estimate. For Quest streaming, keep the PC-side game check separate from the router and wireless check; improving one does not resolve a shortfall in the other.
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To judge a particular setup, compare its exact CPU, graphics card and VRAM, RAM, Windows version, headset, runtime, and connection method. Without those details, no responsible yes-or-no verdict for an individual PC is possible.
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