VRHow / Headsets / HTC Vive Cosmos
HTC Vive Cosmos: specs, PC requirements and tracking
What the original Vive Cosmos was
Cosmos was HTC’s premium PC VR system for customers who wanted a simpler setup than lighthouse-based Vive hardware. HTC’s launch announcement described six camera sensors for inside-out tracking, a flip-up visor, integrated on-ear audio, redesigned controllers and a modular faceplate. HTC also said the headset worked with the separately sold Vive Wireless Adapter. It was not a standalone headset: the computer remains part of the system, and HTC’s support documentation specifies Windows and wired video/USB connections.
The six cameras are important context. In the normal original-Cosmos configuration, room tracking is performed by the headset, so HTC’s feature page says no base stations are needed. That does not mean every Cosmos-family configuration is base-station-free: the separately sold External Tracking Faceplate changes the tracking method, and the Cosmos Elite package shipped with that faceplate and SteamVR base stations.
Verified specifications
| Item | Original Vive Cosmos |
|---|---|
| Type and platform | PC-powered VR; HTC identifies Viveport and SteamVR as the software ecosystem in the specialist reference |
| Release and US launch price | October 3, 2019; $699 with controllers |
| Display | Dual 3.4-inch LCD; 1440 × 1700 pixels per eye (2880 × 1700 combined); 90 Hz |
| Tracking | Six-camera inside-out tracking; 6DoF; no base stations for the standard configuration |
| Connections | DisplayPort 1.2 or newer and USB 3.0 or newer; HTC also lists USB-C 3.0 and a proprietary connection for modular accessories |
| Room-scale note | HTC’s launch specification lists no minimum space for standing/seated use and 2 m × 1.5 m minimum for room-scale mode |
| Audio and fit | Built-in stereo/on-ear headphones and a flip-up visor |
Field-of-view conflict: HTC’s launch specification says 110 degrees, while VRcompare lists an estimated 97° horizontal visible field of view. These are not presented as the same measurement: the 110° figure is HTC’s published specification; the 97° figure is an independent estimate. No single directly comparable measurement is established here.
PC requirements
HTC’s Cosmos support page gives the following minimum and recommended targets. These are requirements, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or experience.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better | Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4 GB or AMD Radeon R9 290 4 GB equivalent or better VR-ready GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / Quadro P5000 equivalent or better, or AMD Radeon Vega 56 equivalent or better |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM or more | 8 GB RAM or more |
| Video and USB | DisplayPort 1.2 or newer; one USB 3.0 or newer port | DisplayPort 1.2 or newer; one USB 3.0 or newer port |
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
These specifications also explain why a prospective owner should check the physical ports, not only the GPU model. HTC’s published requirement is DisplayPort plus USB 3.0; laptop compatibility can depend on how those ports are wired. The original launch announcement additionally says the Wireless Adapter needs a PCIe slot and is sold separately.
Cosmos, Cosmos Elite and later revisions
In February 2020 HTC expanded the product line rather than replacing the original specification with one universal “Cosmos.” The company introduced Cosmos Elite, Cosmos XR and Cosmos Play, while describing the platform’s interchangeable faceplates. Cosmos Elite combined an External Tracking Faceplate with two SteamVR base stations and two Vive controllers; HTC announced a $899 US bundle price for that Elite package. The standard Cosmos remained available at $699 in that announcement, and HTC listed the six-camera faceplate as a separate accessory.
For that reason, “Vive Cosmos” on a listing or used-market advert should be checked carefully. The original Cosmos, Cosmos Elite, Cosmos Play and faceplate-only products can have different tracking hardware and bundle contents. The specialist VRcompare entry marks the original Cosmos as discontinued; HTC’s support pages remain useful for setup and requirements, but a current new-retail price or official current-sale status was not verified here. Used availability, condition and included cables/controllers are therefore not stated as facts.
Related HTC coverage
For the other HTC Vive generations and current-family comparisons, see the broader HTC Vive family page. Return to the VR headset directory for the rest of the catalog.
Sources
- HTC VIVE: Cosmos price, availability and launch specifications — launch date, price, display, refresh rate, connections, tracking and room-scale figures.
- HTC VIVE Support: Cosmos system requirements — CPU, GPU, RAM, DisplayPort, USB and Windows requirements.
- HTC VIVE: Cosmos features — six-camera inside-out tracking, no-base-station setup, flip-up design and modular accessories.
- HTC VIVE: Complete Vive Cosmos series announcement — Cosmos Elite, faceplates, bundle pricing and product-line distinctions.
- VRcompare: HTC Vive Cosmos full specification — independent cross-check for release, platform, estimated field of view and discontinued status; its page includes a data-disclaimer.