The short answer
A great rig is a balanced rig. Spend in this order of importance: a rigid chassis, load cell pedals, a direct drive wheelbase, then a wheel that suits the cars you drive. A mid-range base on a solid cockpit with good pedals will feel better, and make you faster, than a flagship base on a flexing desk.
The core parts
1. Chassis. Everything mounts to it, so it decides how much of the detail from your other parts reaches you. Aluminum profile cockpits stay rigid under high-torque bases and heavy braking. Read GT vs formula cockpit to pick a layout. Shop chassis.
2. Pedals. Many drivers say pedals made them faster than any other upgrade, because a pressure-based brake builds muscle memory. Read load cell, hydraulic or active pedals. Shop pedals.
3. Wheelbase. Direct drive is the standard for serious sim racing. Most drivers are best served by 9 to 18 Nm. Read how much wheelbase torque you need. Shop wheelbases.
4. Steering wheel. GT, formula or round, chosen for the cars you drive, and checked for compatibility with your base. Read GT vs formula steering wheel. Shop steering wheels.
5. Seat and screens. A GT chassis needs a seat chosen separately, and your screens need a stand at the right height and distance. Read our guides to seats and monitor stands.
Three example builds
Totals use current starting prices for the core parts and leave out monitors, a PC and games.
Strong start: about $1,510
- Advanced SimRacing ASR 1 GT chassis: from $399.99
- Simagic P1000 pedals: $469
- Simagic Alpha EVO Sport (9 Nm): $399
- Simagic GT Neo wheel: $239
Serious build: about $2,550
- Advanced SimRacing ASR 3 GT chassis: from $549.99
- Simagic P1000-RS hydraulic pedals: $521.10
- Simagic Alpha EVO Pro (18 Nm): $699
- Simagic GTC wheel: $379
- Advanced SimRacing bucket seat: $399.99
No compromise: about $4,750
- Advanced SimRacing Pro GT chassis: from $1,149.99
- Simagic P2000 pedals: from $609
- Simucube 3 Pro (25 Nm): $1,599.99
- Cube Controls GT PRO V2 wheel: from $945, plus the quick release for your base
- Sim-Lab S1 GT seat: $449
Upgrading what you have? Do it in this order
- Pedals, if you're still on a potentiometer brake. It's the biggest gain per dollar.
- Chassis, if your desk or wheel stand moves when you brake hard or the wheel kicks.
- Wheelbase, once the rig is stiff enough to use the extra torque.
- Wheel, to match the cars you drive most.
- Extras: shifters, handbrakes, dashboards and motion.
Things people forget
- Space: measure the floor, including room to get in and out and for the stand around triple screens.
- Mounting: check your wheelbase's mount style (front or side) matches the chassis.
- Compatibility: make sure your wheel's quick release fits your base.
- Room to grow: an aluminum profile chassis lets you add shifters, a handbrake and screens later without starting again.
Our recommendation
- First real rig: start near the strong start build and upgrade pedals or base later
- Most sim racers: the serious build is the sweet spot of feel and value
- Want the best from day one: the no compromise build, then add triples and a dash
Want a build matched to your room, budget and the cars you drive? Contact us and we'll put one together for you.