Frank 993 C4S

So I am finally figuring out that one new way to spend more money racing is to add a simulator to the mix (Thanks Peter K!). What I would be looking for is use the Sim to have some fun but also to learn new tracks before going there for the first time.

What would people recommend for a $2,000 budget? A $3,000 budget? A $5,000 budget?

Here is what I am currently evaluating:

Alienware X-51 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760Ti with 2GB GDDR5
Fanatec Rennsport Cockpit
Fanatec Sparco R333 Seat
Fanatec Clubsport Pedals
Fanatec Club Sport Wheel Base
Fanatec ClubSport Wheel
Fanatec Tripple Monitor Stand
(3) Asus VK278Q 27" monitors
Sound - TBD

This comes out to over $5k. Do I need anything else? I have also been looking at the VisionRacer VR3 Rig and it comes out to about the same price.

Where could I compromise and upgrade later? Thanks!

brake dust

triple screens makes a big difference to the experience - so you want the latest graphics card. Second in priority would be pedals. Think you can start under 2K.

MSR Racer

Better brakes. Try DSD, H-E, le the new HPP Pedals

Burkey

Just bought the NVIDIA GTX 770 sli 4GB, card is awesome I would highly recommend it.

pontifex4

iRacing does a pretty good job of letting you scale back the graphics to accommodate more modest hardware, so I wouldn't shoot for the moon on the graphics card immediately. Also, Alienware makes neat stuff, but you can spec a local computer shop generic machine for substantially less.

As others have mentioned, to work as a sim, three monitors is ideal, and a lot of pedal sets can be upgraded (With a Logitech G25 or G27, you can either jam a squash ball in there, get an inexpensive stiffer spring, or get http://www.perfectpedal.com/).

One thing I don't see talked about much that may make a difference for your experience: try to connect the rig to the internet without using wifi if you're in a busy wireless area, and ask about a 'gaming' router. The fewer barriers there are to a good connection, the better your in-race experience will be.

TAI2

PM Mmuller as he built a very cool iRace 3 screen rig.

Charles A. Toupin

Frank,

See this guy here: http://www.sim-seats.com/. He makes packages for iRacers.

I started with an Alienware + playseat and a 3 monitor set-up. Now I just bought this morning a perfect pedal because I just can't brake properly with the standard G27, and a monitor stand to get the correct field of vision...

c.

Frank 993 C4S

Thanks guys. This is exactly he information I am looking for.

ProCoach

Perfect Pedal is great, if you have a G25 or G27. Club Sport V2 pedals are the same price as the Perfect Pedal PART, so if you don't want to mess with it yourself, that is a good alternative.

I like DSD and I loved the Todd Cannon pedals, but the latter cannot be relied upon for timely delivery or value.

I have two RS Cockpits, one with triple screen. The Asus monitors are the best value. The Fanatec wheel is awesome, but does require lengthy setup and tweaking to make right.

I have a VisionRacer VR3 with triple LG's, Gateway FX6860 with uprated power supply, AMD 7870 with Bose 2.1 speakers, G27 with Perfect Pedal for $4500 ($7500 new, been used three times) if you or anyone else is interested, a great value! FOB VA Beach. Already has several sims loaded and build by me just for that purpose.

Sim-Seats has a good rep and provides good value.

CMags

For those without the space to mount a "proper" 3 monitor setup I would recommend looking at the AOC 29" ultra wide screen as it adds additional field of view on a single monitor.

Juan Lopez

G25 with Perfect Pedal here (used a spring before and the pencil eraser too; this beats it). 120 inch projector and a gaming computer with 12gb of ram and envidia graphics.

If I could only complete a lap without crashing... I don't get the feel (perhaps my settings are way off).

ProCoach

Enable aids first until your eyes work as well as your butt! <grin>

Charles A. Toupin

same here... I just can't drive the Miata It always wants to turn on me... It seems to need a constant throttle application otherwise the rear breaks loose in a split second.

On the other end, the Ruf is easier to drive and I can manage to race it nearly properly. I'm always 6 seconds off pace, but those aliens up front are, well, aliens.

I hope that with the Perfect Pedal and the monitors positionned properly, I'll be able to brake like I do in real life and that I'll be able to fell the depth. I keep on turning way too late and I don't use all of the available track at track out...

The Formula Mazda is very cool to drive and my favorite is the Honda LMP2. The SRF is cool too as it's about the same speed as my 944 and handles more or less the same.

c.

pontifex4

Extremely similar to a real SM, in my limited experience.

Also, +1 on the SRF. It 'feels' the most similar to a 944 to me, too.

Juan Lopez

Ha ha, and I thought driving my 2 liter was hard... It is a foreign/disconnected feeling.