Reprojection or Super Sampling: Which Keeps Games Smooth?

What reprojection does in VR

Reprojection is a technique where the headset or software generates an intermediate frame between two rendered frames. When a game cannot reach the headset’s native refresh rate (for example, 90 Hz), reprojection creates a synthetic frame that keeps the motion smooth to the eye. This is often called motion smoothing or asynchronous spacewarp.

The benefit is that you can play demanding games on a PC that does not quite meet the recommended requirements, without experiencing stutter. The trade-off is that the generated frames can show artifacts such as ghosting, blurring, or warping, especially during fast movement. Some headsets and platforms (like SteamVR) allow you to toggle reprojection on or off.

Reprojection is a software-level feature. It does not require any special hardware, but some headsets with eye tracking can use reprojection more efficiently by only generating frames in the peripheral vision. For a broader look at PC VR options, see PC VR headset guides.

What super sampling does in VR

Super sampling is a rendering technique where the game renders each frame at a higher resolution than the headset’s display, then downsamples it to the native resolution. This increases the pixel density of the final image, making edges appear smoother and details sharper. It acts as a powerful form of anti-aliasing.

The cost is that super sampling significantly increases the GPU workload. If your graphics card cannot handle the extra pixels, the frame rate will drop, which can cause stutter or force reprojection to kick in. Many PC VR platforms, including SteamVR, let you set a super sampling percentage (e.g., 150% or 200%) to balance clarity and performance.

Some headsets support foveated rendering, where only the area you are looking at is rendered at full resolution, while the periphery is rendered at a lower resolution. This can reduce the performance cost of super sampling. Eye tracking is required for foveated rendering to work. Learn more about pixel density in this guide.

The trade-off: reprojection versus super sampling

Reprojection and super sampling address different problems. Reprojection targets motion smoothness when the frame rate is low. Super sampling targets image clarity when the frame rate is already adequate. They can be used together, but doing so increases the risk of visible artifacts because reprojection has to work with frames that are already heavily processed.

If your PC is powerful enough to run a game at the headset’s native resolution and refresh rate, super sampling is usually the better choice because it improves visual quality without introducing motion artifacts. If your PC struggles to maintain the native refresh rate, reprojection can keep the experience smooth, but you may notice ghosting or blur.

Eye tracking and foveated rendering can shift the balance. Headsets that include eye tracking, such as the VIVE Focus Vision, can use foveated rendering to reduce the GPU load of super sampling, making it more feasible on mid-range hardware. The VIVE Focus Vision’s page states that eye tracking offers “optimized performance via foveated rendering.” This means you may be able to use a higher super sampling level without sacrificing frame rate.

Another factor is the connection type. For PC VR headsets that use DisplayPort (like the VIVE Focus Vision in DisplayPort mode), the bandwidth is high enough to support super sampling without compression artifacts. Wireless streaming may add latency that makes reprojection more noticeable. For more on connection types, see this article.

How to check what your headset supports

To decide between reprojection and super sampling, start by looking at the stated details of your headset. Key factors include:

– **Eye tracking**: If the headset lists eye tracking, it likely supports foveated rendering, which makes super sampling more efficient. The VIVE Focus Vision and some Pimax models (like the Crystal Super) include eye tracking. See eye tracking headsets for examples.

– **PC VR connection**: A headset that connects via DisplayPort (as the VIVE Focus Vision does in its wired bundle) can handle higher bandwidth for super sampling. Wireless streaming may introduce compression that reduces the benefit of super sampling.

– **Refresh rate options**: Some headsets allow you to lower the refresh rate (e.g., from 90 Hz to 72 Hz) to free up GPU power for super sampling. This is a setting you can adjust in the headset’s software or in SteamVR.

– **Platform settings**: SteamVR offers both motion smoothing (reprojection) and super sampling sliders. You can experiment with different combinations to see what works best for a particular game.

What to pick for your situation

The table below summarizes the main scenarios. Use it as a starting point, then adjust based on the stated details of your headset and the demands of the games you play.

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can I use reprojection and super sampling at the same time?

Yes, but doing so can increase the likelihood of visible artifacts because reprojection has to work with frames that are already upscaled. It is usually better to choose one approach based on your PC’s performance.

Does reprojection work on all VR headsets?

Reprojection is a software feature provided by the platform (such as SteamVR or the headset’s own runtime). Most PC VR headsets support some form of reprojection, but standalone headsets may handle it differently. Check the headset’s software settings.

What is foveated rendering and how does it relate to super sampling?

Foveated rendering reduces the rendering resolution in your peripheral vision, lowering GPU load. It requires eye tracking. When combined with super sampling, it allows you to use a higher super sampling level in the center of your view without overloading the GPU.

How do I adjust super sampling in SteamVR?

In SteamVR, open the settings, go to the Video tab, and adjust the “Render Resolution” slider. A value above 100% increases super sampling. You can also set per-application settings.

Does super sampling work on standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3?

Standalone headsets have fixed hardware and do not expose a user-adjustable super sampling setting in the same way PC VR does. Some games may internally use a form of dynamic resolution scaling, but it is not directly controlled by the user.

Which headsets support eye tracking for foveated rendering?

The VIVE Focus Vision includes eye tracking, as stated on its product page. Some Pimax models (like the Crystal Super) also offer eye tracking. Check the headset’s specifications for “eye tracking” or “foveated rendering” support.

Can reprojection cause motion sickness?

Some users find the artifacts from reprojection (ghosting, warping) uncomfortable, which may contribute to motion sickness. If you are sensitive to these artifacts, you may prefer to lower graphics settings to achieve native frame rates instead.

Is there a way to check if reprojection is active?

On SteamVR, you can enable the performance graph overlay, which shows whether motion smoothing (reprojection) is active. On standalone headsets, the feature is usually automatic and not user-visible.