Latest Virtual Desktop update lets you play 120Hz PC VR games on Quest 2

Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Desktop
Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Desktop (Image credit: Nick Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Virtual Desktop version 1.20.4.0 now supports the new 120Hz refresh rate option on Quest 2.
  • You'll need to download the latest beta Virtual Desktop app from the Oculus store for the Quest 2, and the beta desktop streamer for your PC.
  • 120Hz translates to 120FPS — an extremely difficult-to-achieve performance metric that even good gaming PCs will struggle with.

If you've been using Virtual Desktop to play PC VR games on your Oculus Quest 2, you're in for a real treat. If you're Oculus Quest 2 has already received the April v28 firmware update, you can download the latest Virtual Desktop beta — that's version 1.20.4.0 as of this writing — and begin playing PC VR games at the new buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. A new low-quality option has also been added for PCs that couldn't quite handle VR streaming in the past, as well.

In order to move over to the beta channel, you'll need to open up the Oculus app on your phone and search for Virtual Desktop. Once you're on the page listing, scroll down to the stats section for the app and click on the version number. It may not look like a clickable link, but it is! From here, click on the version button on the top right, then select Beta version 1.20.4.0. Your Oculus Quest 2 will now download the latest beta version from the Oculus Store. All that's left is to download the beta streamer app on your Windows-based PC and get your existing one updated.

Quest 2 Virtual Desktop Beta

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

If you're planning on actually playing games at 120FPS to match that 120Hz refresh rate, you'll probably want to make sure your PC has one of the best graphics cards for VR, otherwise, it's going to be best to stick to 90Hz (90FPS) for the most consistent experience. Don't be fooled by the seemingly "small" 30% frame rate increase there; even the best of gaming PCs will likely struggle to regularly achieve 120FPS in many VR games, especially visually demanding ones like Half-Life: Alyx.

Virtual Desktop joins Cubism and a scant few other titles to support the new 120Hz refresh rate on Quest 2 which, in and of itself, was a surprise update for the Quest 2. Virtual Desktop remains one of the very best purchases you can make if you own a gaming PC and an Oculus Quest 2, as it enables not just stellar wireless PC VR experiences — especially if you have a Wi-Fi 6 router — but a great way to use your desktop PC via a giant virtual monitor.

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Virtual Desktop is all you'll need for perfect wireless PC VR on your Oculus Quest.

Nicholas Sutrich
Senior Content Producer — Smartphones & VR
Nick started with DOS and NES and uses those fond memories of floppy disks and cartridges to fuel his opinions on modern tech. Whether it's VR, smart home gadgets, or something else that beeps and boops, he's been writing about it since 2011. Reach him on Twitter or Instagram @Gwanatu