Setting up your sim racing desks will be one of the most exciting parts of your gaming life. Sim racing is fantastic enough on its own but getting your setup trumps everything else. However, you’ll need some guidance if you haven’t done this before and need to get it right.
Gaming has been the most consistent part of my life, so I was excited when sim racing was first introduced. The realism of the experience was something most gamers had been demanding for several years, so getting to finally try it felt incredible.
As impressive as the experience was, it was infrequent and often inconsistent since I rented gear for playing events, and they didn’t always have the same equipment. The only way to solve the problem was to set up my sim racing desk, so I could game whenever I wanted and perfect my skills.
Now, I want to use my knowledge and help gamers like you create the best possible setup you can get.
What is Sim Racing?
Most of you probably know what sim racing is, but I’ll give a brief explanation before addressing the main topic. Sim racing, or simulated racing, is a gaming format that leverages technologically advanced equipment to emulate real-life as much as possible.
They achieve realism by offering realistic graphics, mimicking the physical sensations through intricately designed gears, and offering controls that closely match realistic controls. Hence, you’ll notice that all sim racing gears have steering wheels or similar controls to help players feel like they are driving an actual vehicle.
Sim racing is the closest we have gotten to immersive gaming so far, and its potential is limitless.
Don’t I Need a Sim Racing Rig instead of a Desk?
Technically, yes. An authentic and complete experience requires a sim racing rig. These rigs are meant to accommodate sim racing equipment that would help create effects to increase realism and fully occupy player attention.
However, sim racing rigs are expensive… very expensive. A standard sim racing rig can cost up to $30,000 to buy or build, and the price increases if you try to add more premium gear for a better experience.
The pricing is acceptable for people who can afford it, but most gamers will struggle to churn out $30,000 in savings for sim racing gear. Hence, sim racing desks are a relatively cheaper alternative to rigs and often act as both desks and rigs for players passionate about their gaming.
We have already written a few blog posts about buying and building sim racing rigs. Therefore, this blog is dedicated to helping you create their less expensive version to enjoy the advanced gaming world and mechanism.
Guide on How to Build a Sim Racing Desk
Setting up a sim racing desk requires knowing the key elements essential for the format. I have added a list below and provided explanations to help you get the most suitable gear for your gaming desk.
A Sturdy Desk with Attachment Space
The first thing you’ll need is a sturdy desk that can accommodate all the equipment you’ll need for sim racing. Most people get multiple monitors or get a huge, curved one for the best visual experience while playing a racing sim.
Your desk should be able to manage that weight and provide a secure space for their placement. Additionally, you’ll need to place a keyboard and mouse, attach the steering wheel, and place the CPU, so the desk design must incorporate these requirements in design.
The more customized the desk is, the better it will support sim racing equipment.
Monitors and/or VR Headset
You have two options for getting the visual setup of the game, high-definition monitors or VR headset. You’ll be needing at least one monitor for sim racing, even if you decide to use a VR headset to cover the visual part of the experience, but it doesn’t have to be expensive.
So, let’s consider the two situations one by one.
Monitors:
Achieving visual accuracy was a struggle for the gaming industry until they solved the problem by distributing output across several monitors. So, that’s what several gamers are doing. You can get 2-3 monitors or the curved ones from Samsung to get better and more immersive results.
However, ensure that your desk has the space and capacity to hold them. Always consult with the monitor brand team and ask them for details to prevent potential accidents in the future.
VR Headset:
The latest VR Headsets are perfect for sim racing because they can capture the audio and visual stimuli and deliver them perfectly. What we love most about this gear is that you won’t have to struggle for a visual angle.
They cover more than 180 degrees of visual range, enabling players to feel like they are part of the experience. They are also great when setting up sim racing desks because they don’t occupy much space.
You will need a standard monitor to help you start up the system and the game. It doesn’t have to be fancy, so you’ll save money when purchasing too. Once the game starts, the VR headset takes over, so you can relax and enjoy.
Sim Racing Steering Wheels
Your sim racing steering wheel is as important as a regular steering wheel in a real car because you need it for the same function and more. Sim racing rigs have specific spaces for mounts for the wheels, but you’ll need to get a different mount if you’re trying to set it up on a desk.
You will also need to mount gears there, so try to find something that can accommodate both. Some more premium steering wheels come with buttons, so you won’t have to install a button box separately. However, t depends entirely on the product you buy, so plan accordingly.
Pedals
Pedals go at the bottom and closer to your feet. Hence, they need to be connected to the system. Always discuss your setup with the seller (if they are a manufacturer or an official gaming store) because they can advise you on which pedals to buy and how to arrange them.
How you mount them will affect your gaming experience, too, since you’ll need them the entire time, so get the necessary mounts or support.
Core System (CPU or Console)
All gaming desks come with a space for a CPU, but always check the dimensions before placing an order or getting one made from scratch. The desk you buy will need to accommodate the system you get (PC or console) and ideally be spacious enough to fit other systems that may not have the same dimensions.
The goal is to use the same desk for as many years as possible, to plan accordingly.
Audio Headset/System
You don’t need an audio system if you use a VR headset, but playing with monitors is another story. Although your screen may have an internal audio system, it won’t be good enough to create an immersive experience, so rely on monitors instead.
Organizing your audio system depends entirely on which one you choose to get. For example, the Logitech Z906 series is one of the best and has several different shapes and sized units. Most of them can be set up on top of the desk, and it is up to you to decide how many you want to use. In contrast, the Dali Oberon 5 is an upright speaker that stands on the side.
The central message is that you may or may not need desk space for your audio system, so it is safer to have the space than not.
Ergonomic Chair
Lastly, you need a trusted ergonomic chair to complete your sim racing desk setup. You’ll be spending hours in it, so you need to pay extra attention when buying one.
The GTA Omega is one of the best options in the market right now, and it’s durable, so we recommend it. However, it’s somewhat pricey, so you can also consider the Alera Racing Style. Remember, a good chair can prevent future back problems, making it worth the money.
Wrapping Up
We hope you liked our guide for making the perfect sim racing desk and will use it to install your setup. You can also read our other blogs for more information about sim racing.