Racing sim

snow_bound26 · 10-16-2020, 12:06 AM

Not really sure where to put this. Just want to pick some brains. Anyone who has set up a racing sim in their home please chime in with what you are using for your setup, if you have made any customizations to it, and what you would do differently if you started from scratch again. I've been tossing around the idea for a couple months, but not really sure where to start or which aspects are worth putting a little extra money into. It will be run on either a PS4 or a PC based computer. Leaning toward Project Cars. Hit me with some insights.

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funk32 · 10-16-2020, 01:51 AM

It really comes down to budget. I would recommend going with the PC route as you can work your way into something like Iracing if you wish to do so competitive racing. Though this also is a budgeted item as it will cost a lot more than a PS4 to run something even like project cars at what I considered good graphics. Project Cars is pretty demanding on the hardware.

On the PC side tho, you have endless expandability. fanatec is where most people start for sim gear, its ok quality and easy to setup.

Here is a picture of my setup when I first started.

and a small video from my IG
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIfiMSn..._web_copy_link

snow_bound26 · 10-16-2020, 05:59 AM

Thanks for the insight. Obviously I never know what the future holds, but right now I don't have any desire to become competitive. Mostly it will be practice and to get to know tracks, learn lines and hone skills. I'm not a gamer and don't currently own a system or even an actual computer right now. Broke it several years ago and just never felt the urge to replace it. I'll check out fanatec and start there.

I'm not planning on rushing into this. I'll start gathering equipment as I can. Graphics and minimizing lag are important. I probably will start off with a PS4 just because of cost initially. The aspects I'm most concerned with are gear. Making sure the pedals are at the proper spacing and height, wheel placement, shifter and handbrake height and distance, monitor placement, etc. Really making sure I get a rig that has a lot of adjustability or is easy to customize if I have to fab up some brackets to change something.

Jack · 10-16-2020, 03:17 PM

funk32.....my son is in the process of building with the larger extrusions you've got. If I remember right, 45 mm? He's got the smaller gauge setup that he's had for a few years, from selling Legos intelligently with research. When complete, we plan to do head to head races with each other.

funk32 · 10-17-2020, 07:43 PM

Jack, that's awesome! It's definitely way more fun when racing against friends.

mxbowler95 · 10-18-2020, 01:10 PM

I'm fairly new to it also. I'd recommend coming up with a budget and go from there. Also search marketplace for the sim rig side at least. But I went with Xbox because I already had that, found a Logitec G920 on sale on Amazon and went with a sim rig that I can expand on in the future. One of my friends has the super cheap sim rig and base Thrustmaster on PS4 and it has held up well but doesn't have the best feeling to it or realism. Are there much better setups than I have also, for sure but it has been fun and seems to be a good entry point into this. If you go console, get a wheel that can go from your console to PC in the future as that is my goal down the line. I've played Forza 7 and Project Cars 2 on my setup and Grand Turismo on my friends. All the games are good and offer a different experience so you will enjoy yourself no matter what direction you go!

snow_bound26 · 10-19-2020, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxbowler95

I'm fairly new to it also. I'd recommend coming up with a budget and go from there. Also search marketplace for the sim rig side at least. But I went with Xbox because I already had that, found a Logitec G920 on sale on Amazon and went with a sim rig that I can expand on in the future. One of my friends has the super cheap sim rig and base Thrustmaster on PS4 and it has held up well but doesn't have the best feeling to it or realism. Are there much better setups than I have also, for sure but it has been fun and seems to be a good entry point into this. If you go console, get a wheel that can go from your console to PC in the future as that is my goal down the line. I've played Forza 7 and Project Cars 2 on my setup and Grand Turismo on my friends. All the games are good and offer a different experience so you will enjoy yourself no matter what direction you go!

Thanks for the idea to check the marketplace. I always forget to look on Facebook for stuff.

As for budget, I'm trying to stay under $2k including monitor(s). I'll probably start with one monitor for the time being but I want something I can eventually expand to 3.

All the parts I have looking at have been compatible with bot PS4 and PC. I guess I should probably add XBox into the mix. I don't have anything against it. My last console was a PS1 so I guess it just comes to my mind because it's the newer version of what I once had.

10-16-2020, 12:06 AM	#1
snow_bound26 Scooby Specialist Member#: 395793 Join Date: Jul 2014 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: SLC and Lake Placid Vehicle: 2005 92x Aero Beige	Racing sim Not really sure where to put this. Just want to pick some brains. Anyone who has set up a racing sim in their home please chime in with what you are using for your setup, if you have made any customizations to it, and what you would do differently if you started from scratch again. I've been tossing around the idea for a couple months, but not really sure where to start or which aspects are worth putting a little extra money into. It will be run on either a PS4 or a PC based computer. Leaning toward Project Cars. Hit me with some insights. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-16-2020, 01:51 AM	#2
funk32 Scooby Specialist Member#: 245787 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Canada Vehicle: GD Race Car	It really comes down to budget. I would recommend going with the PC route as you can work your way into something like Iracing if you wish to do so competitive racing. Though this also is a budgeted item as it will cost a lot more than a PS4 to run something even like project cars at what I considered good graphics. Project Cars is pretty demanding on the hardware. On the PC side tho, you have endless expandability. fanatec is where most people start for sim gear, its ok quality and easy to setup. Here is a picture of my setup when I first started. and a small video from my IG https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIfiMSn..._web_copy_link

10-16-2020, 05:59 AM	#3
snow_bound26 Scooby Specialist Member#: 395793 Join Date: Jul 2014 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: SLC and Lake Placid Vehicle: 2005 92x Aero Beige	Thanks for the insight. Obviously I never know what the future holds, but right now I don't have any desire to become competitive. Mostly it will be practice and to get to know tracks, learn lines and hone skills. I'm not a gamer and don't currently own a system or even an actual computer right now. Broke it several years ago and just never felt the urge to replace it. I'll check out fanatec and start there. I'm not planning on rushing into this. I'll start gathering equipment as I can. Graphics and minimizing lag are important. I probably will start off with a PS4 just because of cost initially. The aspects I'm most concerned with are gear. Making sure the pedals are at the proper spacing and height, wheel placement, shifter and handbrake height and distance, monitor placement, etc. Really making sure I get a rig that has a lot of adjustability or is easy to customize if I have to fab up some brackets to change something.

10-16-2020, 03:17 PM	#4
Jack Add Lightness Moderator Member#: 13699 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Hopkinton, MA Vehicle: 2021 Building It Better	funk32.....my son is in the process of building with the larger extrusions you've got. If I remember right, 45 mm? He's got the smaller gauge setup that he's had for a few years, from selling Legos intelligently with research. When complete, we plan to do head to head races with each other.

10-17-2020, 07:43 PM	#5
funk32 Scooby Specialist Member#: 245787 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Canada Vehicle: GD Race Car	Jack, that's awesome! It's definitely way more fun when racing against friends.

10-18-2020, 01:10 PM	#6
mxbowler95 Scooby Newbie Member#: 482136 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Indianapolis, IN Vehicle: 2018 STI DGM	I'm fairly new to it also. I'd recommend coming up with a budget and go from there. Also search marketplace for the sim rig side at least. But I went with Xbox because I already had that, found a Logitec G920 on sale on Amazon and went with a sim rig that I can expand on in the future. One of my friends has the super cheap sim rig and base Thrustmaster on PS4 and it has held up well but doesn't have the best feeling to it or realism. Are there much better setups than I have also, for sure but it has been fun and seems to be a good entry point into this. If you go console, get a wheel that can go from your console to PC in the future as that is my goal down the line. I've played Forza 7 and Project Cars 2 on my setup and Grand Turismo on my friends. All the games are good and offer a different experience so you will enjoy yourself no matter what direction you go!