Steam VR Resolution explained for VR newbies

[Michael Woller]

Hello, I have a question: what is the difference between Auto and Manual Steam VR Resolution. I have a Valve Index and a 4090 GPU. How do I find out how to set the right resolution Here. Or Just leave it at automatic? Thanks for any help and explanation

[Sergio]

Each time SteamVR starts, it calculates GPU performance - a very short benchmark, lasting less than a second. Based on the results of this benchmark, the resolution that is most suitable for your GPU is calculated.
When you set the setting to "Auto" - SteamVR sets the resulting value as the global SteamVR resolution setting (there is also a Per-Application setting in settings, each game has its own, it adjusts the global setting, that is, the percentages are multiplied) However, if you have a very powerful video card and the result is more than 150% according to the benchmark, then with "Auto" you will have 150% exactly, it cannot be more.

With Index and 4090 in Auto mode you will always have 150% as Global resolution setting.

Some mistakenly think that "Auto" mode is in which the resolution is constantly changing during operation, this is not so.

Personally, I always set the global setting to 100% (Manual mode), and only change the Per-Application setting for each game.