Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Since I am a new sim racer I would like advice on what gear to buy and what Computer to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J.A.R.V.I.S. 282 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 I believe you have a G27 am I right? As for the PC, I need to know your budget. >Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aukerns08 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Where are you planning on racing? I recently went through this for an iRacing setup and depending on the type of performance you're looking to get in the sim you really can use any computer that meets the minimum requirements. I ended up building a computer myself because I've always wanted to build a machine for myself and I was able to get most of what I wanted in there for my budget, mainly a good graphics card, and ram. If you're going to buy I would suggest you look for a machine with a good graphics card and at least 4gb of RAM, I went with 8gb and can easily expand that in the future. Other than that the only other thing you need is a wheel and pedals set. I bought a Logitech G27 off of ebay for less than retail because the guy fried the board in the shifter mount trying to mod it. I didn't plan on using the shifter mount so I lucked out and got the combo for $100 and it's worked fine with the pedals and paddle shifters. After a few weeks I decided that I wanted the shifter mount functional mainly just for the extra buttons to make pulling things up in iRacing easier than using the keyboard when at speed so I bought a new one for like $35. But you don't need more than a decent computer and steering wheel/pedals to get started. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky Davies 326 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 There is so much advice to give, and as others have said narrow down to a budget you have for a system, if your planning on doing online racing more etc we can then give you more precise advice on what you need to get started and where to get it for the price you have. CHEERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunstar 615 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Start with your racing interest... then find out what you need to run the software that gets you there. I'd suggest at least a quad core processor (I5 or Phenom), and while you don't need a STATE OF THE ART GPU, the more you spend now the longer it will be viable, so buy a decent one. Wheel wise the Logitech's tend to be the best starter wheels, either the Driving Force GT or the G27. Spend a little more on the G27 and once again, you get a better experience, mostly thanks to the better pedals, and it has a shifter, but it's not as if the DFGT won't get the job done. Aaaaaaaand... that's pretty much it. Software, machine, controller. Now beyond THAT it starts getting complicated! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveS 1,391 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 When your starting out and new to sim racing. Be open minded, learn the which type of racing you really enjoy...Fun games titles with good graphics, lots of fun and helps you learn very basic car control. Codemaster Dirt 2, & 3 (Rally & dirt) Codemaster F1 series (Open car) Codemaster Grid series (Street racing) More serious racing Assetto Corsa and Project Cars are both early access Sim racing showing great promise. Both have excellent graphics if you have a good graphics card. Assetto Corsa excellent physics. Project Cars is a nice balance between "game" VS "simulation". Serious iRacing is the best in my opinion when you really get into the hobby but requires serious dedication and practice. I would not recommend for a beginner because the learning curve is steep because the physics are much closer to driving a real car on the edge. But, no forgiveness for user driving error! Richard Burns Rally is outstanding but really hard core. Just getting to the end of a stage with a reasonable time provides it's own personal satisfaction! Personally I like blending fun games with serious simulations depending on my personal mood! At the end of a long day, sometimes I just want the feeling of throwing a car around without penalty so I turn to Codemaster products. Other days I enjoy the intensity of racing real humans & accuracy of iRacing... The advantage of learning with iRacing or Assetto Corsa or rFactor or Richard Burns Rally is your forced to learn good habits & good car control. The disadvantage is it can be frustrating and less fun to start with! It's honestly a personal choice and how dedicated you become. I have raced real cars on the track and in the forests, so when I started iRacing I found it very frustrating, just getting around the track without spinning was a real challenge!!! Racing without the physical feedback of G-force and feeling bumps is an acquired skill! But it has it's own reward and sense of achievement just like a real race car. Wheel & Pedals Logitech g27 wheel & pedals, great value for money & lots of mods available. Think about buying a used wheel & pedals, like G25 or G27 Lots of people buy sim racing equipment but don't get into the experience long term. I recently switched from G27 to Thrustmaster TX & Fanatec Clubsport V2 Pedals. Honestly these are much better, but not worth 3 times the price when your new to sim racing. The G27 will serve you well for at least 2 years... then you know you love the hobby and want to invest further. A modern PC with reasonable graphics card and your all set to have lots of fun. Building your own PC, is worth considering, it's honestly not hard to do. You don't always save money BUT you get a better PC. A good single monitor setup PC setup Graphics card such as nVidia GTX 660 Ti Processor such as Intel i5. The i7 is not required for racing games because most don't take advantage of additional processing. Mother board such as ATX Z77 series 8 Gig memory Power supply 650W or higher Window 7 64bit Monitor size depends on space available, bigger is always nice If you build this type of PC, it will last a long time, if you decide you really love racing then you add an additional graphics card and buy extra monitors for triple screens. A triple screen monitor setup Same PC setup but switch to more advanced graphics card which can handle 3 monitors such as nVidia GTX 670 2GB or 4GB Add three 23" or 24" monitors, because they are great price point. Triple screens really add an an extra immersion factor, but you can have lots & lots of fun with single screen! You will read lots of opinions on PC & graphics cards, it's a complete topic that really depends on number of monitors, screen resolution and visual quality your looking for. Personally I enjoy games that look great, many others sim racers feel this is less important. Sim Rig Building your own sig rig is another great step forward with this hobby or start with a wheel stand. It's hard to enjoy racing if your pedals are moving around the floor! It kills the user experience. Having a cockpit with a nice seat, does not need to be expensive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J.A.R.V.I.S. 282 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Online / Serious : iRacing Hotlapping / Serious / Fun : Assetto Corsa AI Racing / Serious / Fun : Game Stock Car 2013 >Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bloodycut 11 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Lots of opinions about which sim to drive. Do not lock up yourself for one or two. Iracing is not heaven, neither GSC or anything which was already mentioned here. First learn to drive. Even good arcade game is acceptable. Simracing is hard for beginners. I learn to drive on Commodore 64 Grand Prix Circuit and Outrun. Test Drive games are also good practice. Think first with your own brains. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ricky Davies 326 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Whats heaven bloodcut?..... GSC13,even race07 are good places to start simracing, i wouldn't of suggested test drive to someone who wants to get into simracing. rfactor is where most sim racers begin. Stay away from anything arcade only because you will learn bad habits, get rfactor or even race07 and get stuck in. CHEERS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks for all the great tips!!!! I think my budget is around 1688.25$ That's only for the PC to build Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 I already have Assetto Corsa, I had an iRacing account as some of you already know . I'm planning on getting a new iRacing account when I build my comp (Don't know when yet ) I am thinking of getting 'next car game' and 'GSC13'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J.A.R.V.I.S. 282 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 Next Car Game is a great alternative for people who like crashing. It also has very good graphics. Overall, though for the racing experience I would save my money for iRacing and buy Game Stock Car 2013 while doing so. I think you're good to go with GSC 2013 and Assetto Corsa for now until you get your budget so that you're ready for the ultimate step up. To iRacing. >Cheers!< J.A.R.V.I.S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bloodycut 11 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 Whats heaven bloodcut?..... GSC13,even race07 are good places to start simracing, i wouldn't of suggested test drive to someone who wants to get into simracing. rfactor is where most sim racers begin. Stay away from anything arcade only because you will learn bad habits, get rfactor or even race07 and get stuck in. CHEERS! Just opinions like you have also. Do not sweat man if I say iRacing is not good it doesn't mean you or someone new driver couldn't start that. I just told how I started, perhaps we are from different planets and centuries. Just joking Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 Thanks for all this advice . I have a g27 but only use it on holidays cuz it gets in my way when doing work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 I disagree with bloodycut because when I was using iRacing, even though I was a horrible driver, it was heaven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Just opinions like you have also. Do not sweat man if I say iRacing is not good it doesn't mean you or someone new driver couldn't start that. I just told how I started, perhaps we are from different planets and centuries. Just joking nah, I think Bloodycut is from the planet of bloody people ;P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Too_Fast 3 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Looking over what you guys wrote, I am planning on doing online racing and timetrailing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bloodycut 11 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Ok I'm doing haha with you. No problemo, I'm thinking AC as second game for GTR2. Don't call names my nickname, d'accord? Let's talk about all simracing games. At a moment your aspects are little bit too narrow. How about Racer, F1, TORCS, LFS, X-Motor or V-Racing? Or older titles? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nmanley 10 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 With you budget you can build a nice triple monitor setup even. Use this tool to size up cost and parts available. It's pretty handy. Also be sure to check current sales the day before and the day you plan to order a part. http://pcpartpicker.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
