First of all, congratulations! Getting your sim racing rig is bound to be an exciting adventure. And we are certain you’re looking forward to the final results. You must be ready to get started, but we recommend that you check out our guide on how to build a sim racing rig so that you can get the right setup.
Sim racing rigs are significantly expensive. Getting things right the first time is probably the best option, and that’s why we have made this guide. However, our views are meant to give you a general idea of the available options, and you can always choose alternatives if they enhance your experience.
How to Build a Sim Racing Rig
The key to building a sim racing rig is knowing your limitations and working with them to get the best possible components. That’s the primary principle this guide will reinforce again and again, so it’s best to keep that in mind. Let’s get started!
1. Know your Budget
The first part of our guide on how to build a sim racing rig concerns your budget. Few of you will have zero budget considerations when setting the equipment, especially since the pricing is on the higher end. A standard sim racing rig can cost you $30,000, and any premium adjustments will add to that expense.
So organize your savings and create a manageable payment plan if you’re taking a loan to get all the right components for the rig. You can also consult a financial advisor to ensure you know your affordability and choose the components accordingly.
2. Determine Where the Sim Racing Rig will Go
When bringing a sim racing rig home, take care to prepare a room for it. You’ll need to make room for the chassis and monitor(s) near an electrical socket to minimize extended wires. Chassis options come in several sizes, so you’ll need to know the dimensions of the one you’re ordering and arrange the location accordingly.
We recommend keeping the setup well away from damp places to prevent disasters. Most people keep their set up in their bedrooms, as that is convenient, but you can also keep it in a spare room if you want to keep your gaming separate.
3. Get a Gaming PC
If you’re a gamer, you likely already have a gaming PC; however, check out its specs and run them against sim racing requirements. Your PC will need the right processing power, RAM, and graphic card to ensure the games run smoothly.
The MSI Trident X Plus is powerful, but the HP’s OMEN 30L is 2022’s best-reviewed option and less expensive than others in the market.
4. Choose a Chassis
The chassis is arguably the most significant part of the sim racing rig, and you need to consider all the details before deciding. It is the foundational structure that holds the seat, wheel, monitors, gear, pedals, etc., and needs to be suitable for your height and comfort.
Sparco Evolve Carbon Cockpit and GTR Simulator GTA Pro Cockpit are two premium options you should look at if you don’t mind paying a little extra. They are comfortable, well-designed, and expertly engineered to accommodate diverse gear options without affecting overall comfort and performance.
5. Visual Decisions
The visual part of the deal may take up even more of your time than the chassis, depending on how biased or unbiased you are towards monitors. Monitors are the standard for sim racing rigs, and they make the equipment look incredibly cool!
However, several players are ditching the premium gaming screens for a trusted VR headset, and we can’t fault them for it. A premium monitor can cost up to $1,800, the most expensive ones usually being wider to cover a wider visual angle.
A premium VR headset will cost around $1,000, and you can get a standard monitor for booting up the software. So just cost consideration will put VR in a better position. However, there are several other aspects to think about, and you can read our ‘Is VR Worth it for Sim Racing?’ blog for a comprehensive discussion on this topic.
6. Put a Wheel on It
You can’t maneuver your car smoothly without a reliable steering wheel, and the same rule applies to your sim racing rig. The Precision Sim Engineering GT1 Steering Wheel is our favorite because it is incredibly responsive, has 1080 degree rotation, and has an ergonomic wheel design.
There’s also Thrustmaster T300 RS, another incredible steering wheel option that offers the same performance excellence and also comes with pedals (no clutch, though). It is reasonably priced, and you get great results, so it’s a good overall investment.
7. Select the Mount
You will need mounts for the wheel, monitors, seat, etc., which will affect the overall balance of the complete rig. We recommend consulting a professional when choosing them and trying yours out before finalizing to ensure they suit your height and movements.
8. Pick your Driving Seat
Do not compromise on the driving seat no matter what anyone tells you. You’ll be sitting on that for a few hours, at least for sim racing, so getting an ergonomic and comfortable model must take priority.
Extensive science and engineering skills go into creating these seats, so be well-prepared before beginning research. You’ll need to look at head support, spine support, and lower support during the first round of shortlisting.
Also, consider the material, make, and cushioning, because that will affect how comfortable they are. Of course, the lighter the seat is, the better because that means you won’t have an issue setting it up or transferring it around.
Next Level Racing GTTrack has the highest customer reviews because of overall performance. However, you can also check out OpenWheeler GEN3 if you’re looking for something nearly as good but better on the pocket.
9. Finalize the Accessories
We have finished discussing all the core components, but a few accessories are part of the experience. Several steering wheel options come with the pedals, so you won’t have to pick them out separately. However, you will need to choose them separately if your preferred steering wheel doesn’t include them.
Other accessories you’ll need include a hand brake, gear (stick shifter), gauges, etc. They are instrumental in controlling and experience, so make sure everything is present and fitted before you get started.
Some accessories don’t necessarily contribute to performance but can make sim racing more immersive. Racing gloves are popular among gamers in the industry, and some even add a helmet to the mix (unless they are using VR) to make things more believable.
Steering wheels often come with adjustment buttons, so that bit is sorted. However, get a button box if your steering wheel doesn’t have them. It will make adjusting seating or gear positioning easier during a lengthy tournament.
Wrapping Up
Overall, these nine factors are critical to your experience, so pay special attention to them. We hope you enjoyed reading our tips on how to build a sim racing rig and will consider our suggestions when setting up your system.
You can also check our other blogs for more information about this exciting e-sport.
