Half-Life Alyx: ideal SA build at R15,000

Quick Answer

Half-Life Alyx is a VR-only game, so a R15,000 build must leave room in the budget for a VR headset. A Ryzen 5 7600 with an RTX 4060 and 16GB DDR5 runs Alyx smoothly at 90fps for VR, but remember the headset is a separate, essential purchase that the R15,000 may or may not include.

Half-Life Alyx Needs A VR Headset - Plan For It

Alyx is built exclusively for virtual reality, so a flat-screen PC alone cannot play it. The R15,000 buys a capable PC - a Ryzen 5 7600 with an RTX 4060 8GB and 16GB DDR5 - that comfortably drives VR at 90fps. Crucially, you also need a PC VR headset, which is a separate purchase, so confirm whether your budget covers the headset or just the tower.

VR Frame Rate Targets For Alyx

VR demands a stable 90fps (or 72fps on some headsets) to stay comfortable and avoid motion sickness, which is a tougher target than flat-screen gaming because the GPU renders two eye views. An RTX 4060 holds Alyx at 90fps on high settings for most mainstream headsets. The steadiness of that frame rate matters more than peak numbers in VR.

Storage, Headset And SA Buying

Alyx installs around 50GB, so a 1TB NVMe is comfortable. Budget realistically: the PC plus a headset together exceed R15,000 for most setups, so treat the headset as a core line item, not an afterthought. Confirm current stock on both before ordering; SA metro buyers can usually collect the PC same-day.

FAQ

Can a R15,000 PC run Half-Life Alyx?

Yes, the PC side - a Ryzen 5 7600 with an RTX 4060 drives Alyx at a stable 90fps for VR. But Alyx is VR-only, so you also need a PC VR headset, which is a separate cost on top of the tower.

Do I need a VR headset for Half-Life Alyx?

Yes. Half-Life Alyx is exclusively a VR game and cannot be played on a normal monitor. Budget for a PC-compatible VR headset alongside the R15,000 build, since it is essential, not optional.

What frame rate does VR need for Alyx?

A stable 90fps is the comfort target for most headsets, though some run at 72fps. The steadiness matters because frame drops in VR cause discomfort; an RTX 4060 holds Alyx at 90fps on high settings.