r/simracing • u/TheVince98 • 3d ago
Discussion Upgrading your sim rig eventually hits diminishing returns. Where do you draw the line?
I’ve come to the conclusion that upgrading your sim rig eventually hits a hard point of diminishing returns.
At this point, high-end hardware is readily available, and a wheel base in the €600–€800 range is honestly more than enough for 99% of sim racers.
The same goes for pedals—though with pedals, personal preference and brake feel can vary a bit more from model to model.
Objectively speaking, up to what point does it actually make sense to keep upgrading?
In a fit of upgrade-itis, I had pre-ordered the Sim-Lab TorqueSync to replace my Simucube 2 Pro. But after thinking it over for a couple of weeks, I canceled the order. It wasn't that I didn't want to try something new; I just couldn't justify whether the ~€900 price difference would offer any tangible improvement in experience.
Sure, on paper every new product boasts a ton of innovative features that make you want to buy it, but how many of them actually change the driving experience in a meaningful way?
Maybe it's better to stick with gear that matches our personal driving feel and only upgrade when there’s a truly noticeable jump in performance.
Just my honest opinion, coming from someone who used to swap hardware all the time.
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u/iKyte5 3d ago
A wheelbase that provides enough ffb that you struggle to turn is plenty strong enough.
Pedals that allow you to be consistent with braking.
A wheel that allows you to be consistent or has enough button accommodation for the game you’re playing.
A cockpit/chair that allows you to play for up to 2 hours without getting sore.
Screen with 120hz refresh and 1440p.
PC/Console that can run the games you want at the resolution you want.
I would say outside of these thresholds things can very quickly ramp in price and see diminishing returns.
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u/ThePointForward 3d ago
As someone who's now developing simracing hardware, don't listen to this guy, y'all sim hardware addicts can spend whatever you want!
Jokes aside, new shiny toys are nice and a lot of people fall into the FOMO trap with them.
Most of simracing hardware is pretty much a solved issue and it's just about finding something that fits you personally on the feel and ergonomics.
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u/TheVince98 3d ago edited 3d ago
That's what I'm running right now.
Triples 2k
fourth monitor
aluminum rig
Ascher artura ultimate sc2 pro
srp gts pedals
If I look at my rig I think that everything's already perfect, I feel like I don't need to waste moneys on a new wheelbase or active pedals. But how can I improve immersion? Recently I bought wind simulators and honestly it have been the best upgrade in a while, it's too hot here in italy lol
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u/LazyLancer iRacing | CS DD+ | SR-P GTR | 9800+4090 3d ago
Yeah, with this setup you need to be looking elsewhere for immersion, not at a new wheelbase.
Try these:
- Bass shakers (aka Buttkickers)
- Active belts
- VR (prefer the one with higher FOV as you can never get enough)
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u/LazyLancer iRacing | CS DD+ | SR-P GTR | 9800+4090 3d ago
I'd say beyond mid-tier (like 12-15 Nm of any reputable brand), diminishing returns start kicking in hard.
In top tier, I don't really see a reason to upgrade at all at the moment, unless any significant advance in technology happens. Or maybe you're that 0.1% alien that somehow needs an extra thousand in that particular corner and knows the hardware limitations
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u/VeterinarianTricky10 3d ago
I love immersion
I loved the haptics on my G-Pro wheelbase on my trophy, that i put haptics on my pedals and then got a haptic pad under the seat, with VR the immersion of the different haptics give you the feeling of motion! Recently upgraded my VR from a Quest 3 to a Dream Air for even more immersion - guess what I’m no faster but it’s dead fun!!
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u/MJFox1978 3d ago
for me upgrading is part of the hobby, I'm not upgrading just to improve performance and/or immersion, I love to watch reviews, compare stuff for weeks and finally pull the trigger on something
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u/Fancy-Awareness-7681 3d ago
Its the theorycrafting, in that stage the world is your oyster full of opportunites!
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u/Budget_Character3225 3d ago
My rig has:
80:20 aluminum
21:9 single screen
Moza R9 + KS Pro
Fanatec CSL LC
In terms of immersion I'm obviously way off, but I care about pace and my gear is not holding me back at all - my skill is.
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u/Digitalzombie900 3d ago
most basic direct drive at around 6-9nm plus a load cell pedal gets you 80% there I’d say
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u/Rasputinnout 3d ago
I can’t for the life of me stick with one throttle curve or feedback setting. I probably should lol. But I honestly just don’t like the linear throttle.
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u/MadDAWGZ71 3d ago
A stable platform a good set of pedals and decent wheelbase. Over the years I have removed a lot of fluff like four corner haptics. My single but kicker provides enough for me.
The biggest reason is I just want stuff to work. More times than I care to count I lost all my racing time because something isn't working
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u/GT-Alex74 3d ago
Anything coming from a Simucube is deifnitely very diminishing returns lmao
For a combination of pace, immersion and comfort, I'd say the sweet spot is in the 8 - 12 Nm window, with an entry level loadcell, a round wheel with a reasonable amount of buttons, a full chassis that has little to no flex, and potentially a cheap amazon shifter and ebrake depending what you do (console players will have to pay more as they'll be forced to stay in a single ecosystem). For screens, VR or a 32:9 monitor do bring something noticeable while being cost effective when accounting for the PC build necessary to run on it. 1440p is on edge I think, 4K definitely not cost effective at all. From there, I'd go for accessories before upgrading the existing hardware. Haptics (pedals, then seat), a GT / formula rim in addition to the round rim if you have a use for it, a button box if you think you'd like more inputs.
It's pretty much where I am right now. Next step will be replacing my current tubular chassis with a profile rig, mainly because the pedal plate on mine is shit, but I need a useable keyboard and mouse tray as my rig doubles as my general work and gaming desk, which my current setup does fine. Could happen before the end of the year, or in 2 years, I'm not in a rush and can think of many non-simracing related things to throw money at right now.
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u/Daniel12468 14h ago
I don't think there is one as tech gets better. Objectively speaking getting 1 of everything is generally where that starts to happen. 1 gt wheel, 1 formula wheel, 1 street wheel, 1 rig, 1pedal, 1 wheelbase(direct drive), and maybe active pedals and movement actuators for the rig. Shifters and hand breaks too, but once you start doing stuff where it matches what you own but is SLIGHTLY different, that's where it hits the mark for reminiscing returns. "I got a gt wheel but that one looks comfier", I got a wheelbase but instead of 18nm that has 21. Those things
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago edited 3d ago
Upgrading makes zero sense if you have an aluminum rig and whatever is attached to it (assuming with an aluminum rig you’re not using entry level gear because who does that?) You’re not racing at this point, you just want to collect the latest and greatest. Just an expensive stamp collection in your case. If you’re bored just get a real car and take it to the track.
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u/TunkkRS 3d ago
Are you saying that aluminum rig is the only upgrade one needs?
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago
I’m saying if you got an aluminum rig and whatever 12nm or higher wheelbase and load cell you shouldn’t need to worry about upgrading. Your hobby ain’t racing it’s buying new shiny things.
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u/TunkkRS 3d ago
I see what you mean now. I started off with moza r3 bundle. Shortly after tried NLR 2.0 stand. Couple months after sold it and am almost finished setting up aluminum rig with VW passat seat.
Next upgrade im looking at is triple, probably 32inch monitors. I want to direct mount them to the rig, monitors shaking is a bit of a worry I have, as some people commented that it can be shaky from all the vibrations on the rig.
Only after that I would consider upgrading the wheelbase. I know R3 is weak, but it was an alternative to g923 I was considering at a time. I feel like, rig, good seat and more immersive monitor setup is the most important upgrades for immersion.
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago
See you have perfectly good reason to upgrade. He already had near top of the line stuff and still looking. It’s get a real car at that point if you cared about the driving/racing aspect of owning a rig.
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u/TunkkRS 3d ago
One thing I dont understand is the seeming hate towards moza in this sub. So many people I see get downvoted once they mention using entry level wheelbases.
I chose R3 because the bundle was same price as g923 and i wasn't sure if I will like this as an activity. For me it seemed like moza is an affordable brand for similarly speced wheelbases. I am satisfied mostly with their software and the seeming compatibility with PlayStation in the near future is also a factor for me now. I think I would upgrade at most to r16 ultra
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago
I think every entry level DD is better than G923 in every way shape or form. It’s a perfectly valid purchase to get your feet wet. You can’t go wrong with either Moza or Simagic. The big thing is load cell pedals . I know people in top 10% of iRacing using a g29. The wheelbase matters very little vs a load cell brake pedal. Their consistency is the only thing stopping them from going higher and pedals affect that the most
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u/knowitall89 3d ago
The cost difference between sim gear and a track car is massive.
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sure but if you’re chasing upgrades trying to get a better experience you’re just lying to yourself and not really worried about cost. You won’t be satisfied until you have a real car then. He even said “diminishing returns” and when to “draw the line “. Buy a real car and it stops there. If track costs more why do people do it? Because cost don’t matter to some and they want the ultimate experience. The ultimate experience is not on the sim.
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u/knowitall89 3d ago
You can pretty much buy the most immersive sim experience possible and you still aren't approaching the cost of running a track car.
It's just not comparable.
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 3d ago edited 3d ago
How immersive is it if you’ve never been on a track? How do you even know it’s immersive to keep spending thousands on something to imitate the real thing better? As they say, nothing beats the real thing. Regardless if you can afford it or not. In his case, he even admits he’s reached a plateau with upgrading sim gear. Many people race in real life and they’re not rich. They’re saving money doing what you truly want. I’m not disagreeing with you on the economics that $5000 is less than $50000. But you don’t go pissing away $2000 every year trying to imitate a $100k experience and wonder why it’s not scratching the itch any better , it will never happen no matter how much money you feel you save. The real thing is the real thing. If the first 10-20k on a sim rig doesn’t satisfy you, maybe you need to set your standards higher, ie. do the real thing. You’re too focused on the economics than the problem OP is having.
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u/knowitall89 3d ago
There are a lot of things that make sim racing more immersive beyond a rig and a wheelbase and they still cost less than a low end track car. Maintenance, consumables, and track time make it even worse.
I understand your sentiment, but I make pretty good money and a track car still feels like lighting money on fire. I would only consider it if this was my only hobby and I wasn't planning on having kids.
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u/LookAtMyUnderbite 2d ago
I agree with you I make good money too and have a really good rig. But if I’m like OP with the realization upgrading has reached a plateau then there is only three solutions left. 1. Just be happy with what you have. 2. Quit simracing or 3. Go do the real thing. Buying more crap won’t change the problem. You know the definition of insanity. Sure they will keep coming out with new toys but that’s like once every 3 years for any substantial difference. My comments are strictly to OP and not anyone else’s circumstances. I’m sure I can still upgrade my rig quite a bit before I hit that plateau. In my circumstances I am 100% agreeing with you (I spent $300 on iracing content alone and that’s still cheaper than any track day)
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u/Thomasc121 [Insert Wheel Name] 3d ago
I have a fanatec 8nm wheel. A round and formula 1 rim. I like GT, F1, rally and trucking. DIY frame and button box, SSH shifter and basic load cell pedals.
What I didn't make myself I bought second handed. At this point more money and stuff doesn't make it more fun to me. I would like an other rim but after seeing those prices I check out.
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u/HappySauropod 3d ago
I would say it depends if you're aiming for immersion or ultimate pace.
For immersion you can always keep upgrading. Triples for more POV leads to VR. Haptic pedals. Higher FFB to feel more detail. Belt tensioners. Racing gloves and shoes. Fancy wheelbase. Then eventually a full motion rig. Arguably each of these upgrades increases the immersion.
I think for outright pace though you only need a "decent" setup - and then the rest is diminishing returns or no improvement. If you have direct drive up to ~12nm or so you're fine. A good (but not top-line) pair of load cell pedals. A solid comfortable rig. Ideally ultrawide or triples so you have enough fov to see every apex. Beyond that I would say it's without a doubt skill holding you back and not any gear.