AMD looks to drive VR sales with low-cost graphics hardware

AMD wants to make more PCs virtual reality friendly with a new line of affordable graphics hardware.

The manufacturer says its new range, which is based on Polaris architecture, will deliver "premium VR capability with less than half the power consumption."

The cheapest processor -- the 4GB RX 480 -- will be priced at $199, and AMD says keeping costs low will help the VR ecosystem grow at an increased rate. 

"As we look to fully connect and immerse humanity through VR, cost remains the daylight between VR being only for the select few, and universal access for everyone," said Raja Koduri, senior vice president and chief architect at Radeon.

"The Radeon RX Series is a disruptive technology that adds rocket fuel to the VR inflection point, turning it into a technology with transformational relevance to consumers."

AMD also expects its "aggressive" pricing will accelerate the rate at which VR headsets drop in price, with the cost of consumer devices, such as the $599 Oculus Rift, being a bone of contention for many. 

You can find out more about the Radeon RX series, which hits shelves on June 29, on the official AMD website.