What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
SteamVR Performance Test is retired and no longer available to new users through the Steam Store. The Valve utility, listed under Steam App ID 323910, was released on February 22, 2016. Its old page and support records may still appear in search results, but that does not mean the app can still be acquired or installed normally.
There is no confirmed public Valve explanation for the delisting or an exact removal date. Users were reporting the Store notice by November 2023. More importantly, the test’s 2016 workload is no longer a reliable universal answer to whether a modern PC can run every headset, game, refresh rate, or wireless PCVR setup.
What happened to SteamVR Performance Test?
SteamVR Performance Test was a Valve benchmark designed to check whether a computer was likely to handle a basic virtual-reality workload. SteamDB now lists App ID 323910 as retired and unavailable, while Valve’s preserved support record still shows the app’s historical information.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →That record lists legacy recommended specifications including Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10; an Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350-class processor; 4 GB of RAM; and a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon R9 290-class graphics card. These should be treated as historical requirements, not current PCVR buying guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Bicycle Headset Cup Removal Tool, Bike Headset Cup Remover, ( for 1-1/8, 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inch )
- Very easy to ues,Just place well the tools, hit the rubber with a hammer,work done!
- Quality material,heat treated with better toughness
- With rubber, safer to use
- Size: length is 310 mm / 12.2 inch, diameter is 25.5 mm / 1 inch
SteamVR Performance Test is separate from SteamVR, the runtime used by many PCVR games. SteamVR itself has not disappeared. The retired benchmark is also different from Valve-related compatibility experiences such as Are You Ready for Valve Index?, third-party overlays such as fpsVR, and ordinary desktop graphics benchmarks.
Can you still download it?
Not through the normal Steam Store process. A visible Steam page, cached search result, or entry in Steam’s database is not proof that a new account can claim the application.
If you previously added the test to your library, Steam may treat the account differently, but the available public information does not establish a universal reinstall rule for every account or region. Do not rely on claims that an old license will definitely restore access.
Avoid unofficial executable mirrors, torrent links, modified Steam depots, and downloads that ask you to disable antivirus protection. An archived installer is not an endorsed replacement for the retired Steam listing and may create security or compatibility problems.
Why was it removed?
Valve has not been found to have published a clear public reason for retiring SteamVR Performance Test, so it would be inaccurate to state that Valve removed it for one specific cause.
Rank #2
- ✅The MTB Bike Bicycle Headset Cup Removal Tool makes headset cup removal easy.
- ✅The tool is pulled through the frame until the flared ends snap in behind the cup.
- ✅Specially designed for removing 1-1/8, 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inch head cups.
- ✅High grade steel for long life, Durable, heat treated
- ✅Size: removal tool length is 310mm / 12.2inch, diameter is 25.5mm / 1 inch
Its age provides useful context. The test launched in 2016 and used a fixed Valve demo workload. Since then, PCVR has expanded across higher-resolution headsets, different refresh-rate targets, wireless streaming, OpenXR runtimes, more demanding game engines, and highly variable graphics settings. A benchmark built around a 2016 baseline was unlikely to remain a complete measure of modern PCVR readiness, although that is an inference rather than a confirmed explanation from Valve.
What did the old test actually measure?
Valve described the utility as checking whether a system was “VR Ready” and identifying whether performance was limited mainly by the graphics card, processor, or both. It rendered a standardized VR scene and produced a performance classification.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →That result was never a guarantee that every VR game would run smoothly. It did not directly test:
- Your intended headset’s resolution or refresh rate.
- The graphics settings and rendering resolution of a particular game.
- CPU-heavy simulation, physics, artificial intelligence, or poorly optimized software.
- Wireless encoding, network latency, Wi-Fi conditions, or streaming software.
- Tracking, USB behavior, cable quality, controllers, or headset-specific compatibility.
A modern PC can perform well in one VR workload and still struggle in a demanding flight simulator, racing simulator, heavily modded social-VR environment, or badly optimized title.
Best alternatives to SteamVR Performance Test
| What you need to know | Best approach | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| You do not own a headset | Check the exact headset manufacturer’s PC requirements, the games you plan to play, and reputable testing or owner reports for your CPU and GPU. | No single headset-free replacement can guarantee performance across all PCVR setups. |
| You have a connected headset | Use OpenVR Benchmark, then test your actual games. | It requires a SteamVR-compatible headset and cannot perform the old pre-purchase check by itself. |
| A real VR game stutters | Use SteamVR’s built-in frame-timing graph while running the affected game. | The result describes that setup and game, not every VR application. |
| You want live monitoring | Use fpsVR as an optional in-game overlay. | Overlay support depends on the runtime, application, and connection method. |
OpenVR Benchmark
OpenVR Benchmark is listed as free on Steam. It takes roughly 60 seconds, renders inside the headset, and lets users compare results with systems using the same GPU and headset. The listing says it requires a connected VR headset, 64-bit Windows, an AVX-capable CPU, DirectX 11, and at least 3 GB of graphics memory. An optional leaderboard DLC is listed separately; check Steam for the current price.
Rank #3
- Robust Construction: Bicycle headset press-in tool is made of professional-grade aluminum alloy with electroplated anodized finish delivers exceptional strength for demanding workshop tasks. With a reinforced 0.5" threaded shaft, this bike headset press tool delivers rock-solid performance
- Ergonomic & Secure: Featuring a CNC-knurled T-handle, the bike headset press-in tool always provides a confident grip. Internally lubricated ball bearings and thrust washers distribute pressing forces evenly, ensuring smooth installation every time
- Multi-Size Cup Press Adapter: Smart dual-sided engineering maximizes versatility across bike headset and bottom bracket installations. Precision-machined stepped surfaces ensure perfect alignment, while the recessed back protects your bearings from damage
- High Compatibility: This bicycle headset bearing press-in tool universally accommodates most standard headsets and common press-fit bottom brackets. Work seamlessly across road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and more
- Practical Headset Spacer Set: Five thicknesses are included for precise handlebar height customization – 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, and 20 mm. Lightweight but strong carbon fiber matches modern bike aesthetics while resisting weather and impacts
It is a useful standardized test for an existing setup, but it is not a headset-free “can my PC run VR?” tool. A good score also does not guarantee smooth performance in every game.
SteamVR frame timing
For troubleshooting an actual setup, Valve’s own frame-timing display is usually more useful than a single readiness score:
- Open SteamVR.
- Open Settings.
- Select Performance.
- Enable Display Frame Timing.
- Run the demanding game or scene that causes trouble.
Check for frame-time spikes and whether the CPU or GPU is missing the timing budget for the headset’s selected refresh rate. In VR, frame time matters more than a headline average FPS number: the system must deliver frames within the available time for the chosen refresh rate.
For example, a 90Hz headset has approximately 11.1 milliseconds available per frame, while a 120Hz headset has approximately 8.3 milliseconds. Higher resolution and refresh rate generally increase the rendering workload. SteamVR’s troubleshooting guidance specifically points users toward the frame-timing graph when diagnosing low framerate and freezing.
fpsVR
fpsVR is a monitoring utility that can show performance information while playing SteamVR content. It can help identify CPU or GPU frame-time problems during real gameplay, but it is not a universal compatibility test.
Rank #4
- The set of the tool special designed for bike headset and bottom bracket installation, make you job done easily and professional
- Materials:M16 bolt made of harden alloy steel, the press mount and the handles made of aluminium alloy
- Size:Length of the M16 bolt about 270mm, works with BB shells up to 135mm width
- The thread of the bolt is 5/8 inch (16mm) diameter (nominally 16mm), length of the bolt about 225mm (8.86 inch),works with BB shells up to 135mm wide
- Remind: please use the grease when installing,this could do a lot helpful for your job and protect your headset or bottom bracket
OpenXR applications and different headset connection methods can affect overlay behavior. Some features may require SteamVR to be the active OpenXR runtime, as discussed in the fpsVR community documentation. Check the official Steam listing for its current price.
If you do not own a headset yet
Use a layered assessment rather than searching for an unofficial copy of the retired benchmark:
- Choose the exact headset first. Standalone, wired PCVR, and wireless PCVR impose different requirements.
- Check the manufacturer’s current PC requirements. Pay attention to supported GPUs, ports, operating system, and connection method.
- Check the games you actually intend to play. A lightweight rhythm game and a flight simulator can have very different requirements.
- Account for resolution and refresh rate. The same computer may be comfortable at one setting and struggle at another.
- Check laptop details carefully. Laptop GPUs with the same model name as desktop cards can perform differently because of power limits and cooling.
- Consider wireless overhead. Encoding, network quality, latency, and Wi-Fi congestion become part of the experience.
- Use a suitable return policy. When compatibility is uncertain, a returnable purchase is safer than relying on one synthetic score.
Generic 2D benchmarks can provide limited information about general CPU or GPU capability, but they do not reproduce headset rendering, VR frame timing, runtime overhead, or wireless streaming.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If your benchmark passes but VR still stutters
A passing synthetic result does not rule out a real-world problem. Check the SteamVR frame-timing graph and investigate whether the bottleneck is the GPU, CPU, wireless network, video encoding, thermal throttling, background software, excessive SteamVR resolution scaling, a game-specific issue, or a headset/runtime compatibility problem.
Recommended Free Tools
Test at the refresh rate and connection method you actually plan to use. If only one game performs badly while other VR applications are smooth, the problem may be specific to that title rather than proof that the entire PC is unsuitable for VR.
Best Value
- Pressure Block Design: The reverse side is used for assembling the press-in bottom bracket, and the sinking table is designed to avoid the pressure on the bearing during installation
- Easy to Use: Time-saving and labor-saving, the bearings use lubricated balls, labor-saving operation, not easy to squeeze
- Universal: Thread pitch is tight and fine, high strength, suitable for most head tube length
- Premium Material: High-strength aluminum alloy material, stainless steel screw, removable handle
- Wide Application: Suitable for to a variety of press-in BB shaft specifications, installation and disassembly as long as this group meets all needs
Bottom line
SteamVR Performance Test is a retired Valve utility, not a missing version of SteamVR. It is no longer normally obtainable through Steam, and its old 2016 “VR Ready” result would not provide a dependable verdict for modern headsets and games anyway. Buyers without a headset should match their PC to a specific headset and game; users with a headset should use OpenVR Benchmark for a repeatable workload and SteamVR frame timing for diagnosing actual gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SteamVR itself still available?
Yes. SteamVR is a separate runtime from the retired SteamVR Performance Test.
Can OpenVR Benchmark run without a headset?
No. Its Steam listing requires a connected SteamVR-compatible VR headset.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Does a laptop GPU with the same name as a desktop GPU perform identically?
No. Laptop power limits and cooling can produce substantially different performance.
Why can a VR game stutter after a benchmark passes?
The game may be more CPU- or GPU-intensive, use different rendering settings, or add wireless, thermal, runtime, or optimization-related bottlenecks.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
