So i have a VR headset that runs through USB-C port. Does anyone know if i add on the graphic module if i would be able to run VR through it at higher performance? or does it not support VR. I ask because i have encountered some gaming laptops in the past that while they had the specs to run VR, they would not read as compatible by the VR software for some reason, while other laptops do
I think, the gist of this thread about PSVR2 is that getting VR going on FL16 is possible. People mostly struggle with getting the right dongles for the PSVR2 and not software/driver stack.
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I have had success with VR on the FW16 with a HTC vive pro. I am using a cablecreation USB-C to DisplayPort adapter connected to the graphics module, connected to a Displayport to mini-Displayport cable. The USB 3.0 is connected to a different port.
Apparently, the DisplayPort expansion cards don’t work for VR (at least with HTC and Valve headsets), even when connected to the dGPU output.
What VR headset are you trying to use? If it just takes a USB-C input and has no built-in battery it may require a specialised cable to inject USB-PD (since no port on the FW16 can do power delivery out). Additionally, if the same cable is used for USB 3.0 (to send back stuff like position info, camera/microphone data, possibly to send audio out if the headset doesnt do that over displayport directly, or general stuff from whatever peripherals your headset integrates), you may have issues (dGPU module port can only do usb 2.0 and displayport alt mode)
Another possibility is it uses some DisplayLink-based solution (or similar) for video, in which case it would just connect to any standard USB-C port and use software to copy frames (a possibility if its a headset primarily designed to be connected to a PC via a single USB-C cable, although I know of no such headset, since most graphics cards don’t have a USB-C output since VirtualLink never really caught on). The Vive Pro wireless adapter (which I don’t personally have but I have looked into) works like this (although that expects a PCIe slot, rather than USB). I think standalone Oculus Quest headsets also do this in PCVR mode (but they use their own link protocol, which is apparently also quite unstable over USB and actually works better over Wi-Fi)
Basically, the answer is “The FW16 is powerful enough for VR, and is known to work with some headsets, but without knowing more about how yours connects it is hard to say for sure”
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I’m one of the folks that have successfully used the PSVR2 with my Framework 16 (in the other previously linked thread).
Knowing what headset you use would greatly help in knowing what it will take to be compatible.
Assuming that your headset only requires a single USB C connection, it is likely using a discontinued protocol (Virtual link) that the Framework 16 doesn’t natively support. It supplies power (up to 36W), data over USB, and video via DisplayPort (over USB C) all in the same cable. Framework 16 can’t provide the power. So you’d need to get an adapter that can provide the power. Since most adapters were designed for desktops, most have full size USB A, a full size DisplayPort, and a DC jack for power, and then a USB C VirtualLink port for your headset. That’s pretty much all that the PSVR2 adapter is. I’m not sure if you can use it with any other headsets, but I doubt Sony supports it.
What I have heard is supported by many headsets is the Varjo VirtualLink adapter. It’s not cheap, and often is out of stock. I just checked their website, and they also now have an adapter specifically for laptops, but I don’t know if it has any support restrictions.
As to your question about the back USB C port on the dGPU, you can’t directly use it (as explained above), but you can use it as the DisplayPort output. I have successfully used both, the official Framework DisplayPort expansion card (and DisplayPort ↔ DisplayPort cable) and a USB C to DisplayPort cable, to connect to the PSVR2 adapter. I prefer the USB C to DisplayPort cable, as it’s smaller, slimmer, and feels less likely to snap off the back of the laptop.
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