Greetings all. I have had an idea for some time now and it is finally time to bring it to life.
The Goal: Build two Identical racing sims to be positioned side by side in my game room for my family and friends (and of course myself) to enjoy while socializing. I want the rigs to be identical in every way with one exception… That one may be converted easily between the racing sim and a flight simulator if I chose to do so in the future. I want them to be identical so one does not seem to hold an advantage over the other when racing side by side (might be some competitive juices flowing that will look for excuses… lol).
I have been lurking in forums for a while now but just now stepping up to join one. I joined a forum a decade or more ago when building my home theatre and found that experience to be very beneficial. I hope this endeavor will be similar.
Decisions that have been made:
Time Frame. Unlike my theatre build that took 18-24 months, I would like to be up and running in 2 months. PCs are now in hand so time to make decisions and get stuff ordered ASAP.
Skill set: I am handy and have a variety of tools but will probably stick with just assembly of kits. I have installed drives on computer but hope to keep most of this just plug and play.
Note, I fully understand that some will think that if I put the budget of these two into one, I would have a amazing rig and you are probably right, but that is not my purpose… So let it go… LOL
Budget:
No set number in mind. Willing to spend for quality but don’t want to get stupid either. (too late? LOL)
Equipment:
PC’s: Done
Two CLX SET Gaming Desktop Intel Core I9-13900KF 64GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD + 6TG HDD
Cockpit:
Looking hard that the Next Level Racing GT track. I am not thrilled with some of the comments I have read on the seat that comes with it for $300 for the seat. Some have said it is narrow and at least one other tore material when getting in and out of. Considering junk yard seats if I can find a matching pair in excellent shape.
Monitors:
Looking hard at curved 32”’s with possible going to triples. Still doing research on 4k… 1440… refresh rate… etc. This has been getting a bit overwhelming but need to focus and get this decision made. Watched some videos early today but scrambled my mind a bit.
I considered doing only one triple and just limiting it to one screen when racing side by side with the other sim… But what is two more monitors… LOL. $$$
Monitor stand:
Separate from cockpit so no vibration from cockpit. Ability to go Triple. Been looking at Next Level gear. Just thinking out loud here... but if this for multiple people that will be getting in and out, I may want to consider a monitor stand that slides away for entry and exit (rails, guides... ???) for ease of enter and exit without causing damage.
Wheel base:
Again, feedback crucial. Fanatec mentioned a ton and hard to overlook. Doing research on number of 8’s 12’s and so on… More info needed.
Hand Brake:
Do not think I will be installing one at this time.
Wheels:
Want to start with round wheels preferrable with built-in shifters. More research is needed. Like the shift lights several have… Some get carried away with all the buttons… (Please don’t gasp at that… LOL)
Pedals.
So much info…. Pedal and wheels appear sooo important…. But when I need 6…. More info needed. Hussingfeld look sweet… the price… not so much… lol
Shifters
Need more info. H vs sequential… Originally thought H was only way to go but thinking straight sequential may be better.
Speakers
No research done. Will be using speakers, not headphones. This is a dedicated game room two floors away from bedrooms and opposite side of house and 1 floor away from living room. No small children etc.
Software:
No clue where to start.
Other items:
I will post pictures of the space soon.
The Goal: Build two Identical racing sims to be positioned side by side in my game room for my family and friends (and of course myself) to enjoy while socializing. I want the rigs to be identical in every way with one exception… That one may be converted easily between the racing sim and a flight simulator if I chose to do so in the future. I want them to be identical so one does not seem to hold an advantage over the other when racing side by side (might be some competitive juices flowing that will look for excuses… lol).
I have been lurking in forums for a while now but just now stepping up to join one. I joined a forum a decade or more ago when building my home theatre and found that experience to be very beneficial. I hope this endeavor will be similar.
Decisions that have been made:
- These will be full cockpit sims with screens and not VR. I am currently looking hard at triple 32” curved screens. Buying 6 at once may hurt…. So may start with 1 each unless I can grab a good deal.
- Each will be run by a dedicated PC. To start this process and kick myself into gear… I just picked up the new Gaming PC’s tonight. Two CLX SET Gaming Desktop Intel Core I9-13900KF 64GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD + 6TG HDD.
- Due to the goal, neither will be absolutely form fitted to my size and driving and I understand that will be a compromise. These need to accommodate those from 5’2 to 6’2 with simply shifting the seat. (yes, again, I realize, not ideal).
- I will not be pursuing full motion rigs. Might add some shakers in the future, but not a priority.
- Feedback wheels are a must and will want the ability to swap out wheels in the future. Primary focus is round steering wheel to begin.
- Want excellent cable management and a clean look as they will be always out and in position. PC’s are internal lit with colors etc. so would like neat and organized.
- Rigs do not need to be on Wheels as they have a dedicated space.
- I will not be building the cockpits from scratch. I am fairly handy with tools and electrical but will not be creating from separate pieces of aluminum…tapping holes… etc. Neither the time nor the interest in that depth at this point. Looking pretty hard at Next Level Racing GT track but will discuss that more later.
Time Frame. Unlike my theatre build that took 18-24 months, I would like to be up and running in 2 months. PCs are now in hand so time to make decisions and get stuff ordered ASAP.
Skill set: I am handy and have a variety of tools but will probably stick with just assembly of kits. I have installed drives on computer but hope to keep most of this just plug and play.
Note, I fully understand that some will think that if I put the budget of these two into one, I would have a amazing rig and you are probably right, but that is not my purpose… So let it go… LOL
Budget:
No set number in mind. Willing to spend for quality but don’t want to get stupid either. (too late? LOL)
Equipment:
PC’s: Done
Two CLX SET Gaming Desktop Intel Core I9-13900KF 64GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD + 6TG HDD
Cockpit:
Looking hard that the Next Level Racing GT track. I am not thrilled with some of the comments I have read on the seat that comes with it for $300 for the seat. Some have said it is narrow and at least one other tore material when getting in and out of. Considering junk yard seats if I can find a matching pair in excellent shape.
Monitors:
Looking hard at curved 32”’s with possible going to triples. Still doing research on 4k… 1440… refresh rate… etc. This has been getting a bit overwhelming but need to focus and get this decision made. Watched some videos early today but scrambled my mind a bit.
I considered doing only one triple and just limiting it to one screen when racing side by side with the other sim… But what is two more monitors… LOL. $$$
Monitor stand:
Separate from cockpit so no vibration from cockpit. Ability to go Triple. Been looking at Next Level gear. Just thinking out loud here... but if this for multiple people that will be getting in and out, I may want to consider a monitor stand that slides away for entry and exit (rails, guides... ???) for ease of enter and exit without causing damage.
Wheel base:
Again, feedback crucial. Fanatec mentioned a ton and hard to overlook. Doing research on number of 8’s 12’s and so on… More info needed.
Hand Brake:
Do not think I will be installing one at this time.
Wheels:
Want to start with round wheels preferrable with built-in shifters. More research is needed. Like the shift lights several have… Some get carried away with all the buttons… (Please don’t gasp at that… LOL)
Pedals.
So much info…. Pedal and wheels appear sooo important…. But when I need 6…. More info needed. Hussingfeld look sweet… the price… not so much… lol
Shifters
Need more info. H vs sequential… Originally thought H was only way to go but thinking straight sequential may be better.
Speakers
No research done. Will be using speakers, not headphones. This is a dedicated game room two floors away from bedrooms and opposite side of house and 1 floor away from living room. No small children etc.
Software:
No clue where to start.
Other items:
- I have a 55 inch flat screen directly above the location where the sim screens will sit. Is there a way to tie that screen in to allow others to view an overview of what is going on in the race?
- Both will have wired internet connections. Is there a way, and if so, an advantage to wire the PC’s directly together? Does a direct connect network provide any advantages? Internet router on floor above. Each PC will have a dedicated line to router.
- What is the deal with virus protection now a days? Haven’t bought a new computer in probably 8 years and have been told external software may do more harm than good with newer PC’s???
I will post pictures of the space soon.