Hardware

HERA is designed as a Windows application and requires Windows 10 or 11. Since it is a graphically demanding real-time application, performance scales directly with the installed hardware.

Recommended Hardware Configuration

For a smooth experience, especially in VR mode, the following gaming laptop configurations have proven successful at BCDH:

• Older Configuration: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, 32GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 3070, SSD.
• Newest Configuration: Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 4070, SSD.

Note on RAM: While the systems above are equipped with 32GB RAM, 16GB RAM should presumably be sufficient to run the application. However, this is a theoretical value and has not yet been explicitly tested. An SSD is mandatory for all system configurations to optimize load times and data streaming.

Note on Desktop PCs vs. Laptops: Stationary desktop PCs are generally much better suited for running the application than laptops. Desktop systems feature full-sized, dedicated graphics cards that are not restricted by the thermal and power limits of mobile devices. It is important to note that a laptop graphics card (e.g., a mobile RTX 4070) is significantly less powerful than a full desktop graphics card with the same model name (RTX 4070 for PC).

VR Headsets

HERA supports a wide range of VR headsets in general. Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3 have been tested. Any headset is compatible, provided that OpenXR is set as the default API in the system.

• PC-VR Mode: HERA uses PC-VR exclusively. The computational load is therefore carried entirely by the computer (laptop).
• Cable Connection: A suitable data cable (usually USB-C) is required to stream VR content to the headset. Make sure to use a high-quality cable to avoid latency and connection drops.

Important Note on Performance: The 2D view on the monitor is significantly less resource-intensive than the VR display. Since VR requires stereoscopic rendering (two images simultaneously) at high frame rates, the hardware load in VR is much higher. If the application stutters in VR, switching to 2D mode is the first troubleshooting step.

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Graphical Optimization: Nvidia DLSS

To optimize performance, Nvidia DLSS technology (Deep Learning Super Sampling) has been integrated into HERA. The documentation for these settings is not explained within the software itself, as many users may not know what to do with them. If you are familiar with this technology, this information will be helpful.

DLSS Modes (Control via Number Keys)

Performance and image quality can be adjusted in real-time using the number keys on the keyboard. The default value at startup is "Balanced" (Key 4).

Key	Mode	Description
1	DLSS Off	Classic rendering without AI support.
2	DLAA	Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (AI anti-aliasing at 100% resolution).
3	Quality	Focus on maximum image sharpness with upscaled resolution.
4	Balanced	[Default] Optimal balance between image quality and FPS.
5	Performance	Optimized for maximum frame rates (FPS).
6	Ultra Performance	Focus on highest performance for less powerful hardware.

What is DLAA? DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing) uses the same AI technology as DLSS but without upscaling. It renders at native resolution, making it the mode with the highest image quality as it smooths edges extremely cleanly.