Complete guide to setting up a racing cockpit on PC and enjoying sim racing to the fullest.

The world of sim racing has grown exponentially in recent years, becoming one of the most realistic, exciting, and demanding gaming disciplines. More and more people are looking to replicate the feeling of driving a race car from the comfort of their own home. To do so, setting up a racing simulation cockpit on PC It is one of the wisest decisions, since it offers immersion, ergonomics and an experience as close as possible to real competition.

If you're thinking about getting into sim racing or want to improve your current setup, this detailed guide will help you understand what you need to build a complete cockpit, from homemade and budget-friendly options to professional configurations with all kinds of accessories. Let's take you step by step.

What to consider before assembling your cockpit

Before you rush out to buy parts or materials, It is advisable to plan well. The first thing is to define your budget, the space you have available, and what level of simulation you want to achieve. Are you looking for something simple for casual gaming or a professional setup with multiple screens and a Direct Drive steering wheel?

It is also key Know what games you're going to use and whether you're going to play with monitors, virtual reality, or a triple-screen system.All of these elements determine the type of cockpit that best suits your needs.

Furthermore, it is important Consider whether you prefer to buy a pre-assembled cockpit, assemble one yourself with materials and tools, or improvise with temporary solutions. while you decide if this hobby is for you. You can see some tips on how drive and pilot with style that could inspire you for your cockpit.

Homemade Cockpit: How to Make It Yourself on a Budget

If you have some skill and basic tools, Building your own aluminum cockpit is a great alternative to save moneyFor around 300-350 euros, you can build a solid structure that costs no less than 400-450 euros in stores (excluding shipping costs and VAT).

The main materials are extruded aluminum profiles, of the 40x40 and 40x80 types. The 40x80 profiles provide greater rigidity and are recommended for the base and side uprights, while the 40x40 profiles are sufficient for less critical areas.

• 1,2 m aluminum profiles (40 × 80 and 40 × 40)
• Metal fixing brackets
• Ball-type insert nuts and metric 8 allen screws
• Plastic end caps (optional)
• Steering wheel mount (optional, but recommended)

Important: It's essential that you use quality fasteners to avoid looseness. 40x80 brackets, for example, provide extra rigidity to the main structure.

As a piece of advice, You can adapt the base design measurements to your height and driving style.Adding a reclining or bucket seat also greatly improves comfort. If you decide to add covers or a steering wheel support, the price increases by €40-60, but it's still a very affordable option.

Main components of a simracing cockpit

Building your cockpit goes far beyond the structure. The driving experience improves dramatically if you choose each accessory well:

The PC or console

Simulators like Assetto Corsa, iRacing, or RFactor 2 require a lot of graphics and CPU power. If you already have a console like PS4 or Xbox One, you can start with those, but PC offers more configuration options and mod support. If you're interested in more flying games, you can check out our list of flying games for PS5.

A minimum PC configuration should include a GTX 1660/RTX 2060 GPU, a Ryzen 5 or i5 processor, and at least 16GB of RAM. The starting price for a decent sim racing PC is around €600-€700 if you build it from scratch.

Monitors or virtual reality

Monitors are key to enjoying the most immersive viewing experience possible. Ideally, you should start with a 24-27 inch Full HD monitor, and then If budget allows, upgrade to triple screen or 34-49 inch ultrawide monitors.

Some recommended options:

• 1 FullHD 144Hz monitor (cheap and enough to get started)
• 3 monitors in surround configuration
• Ultrawide curved (greater immersion)
• Virtual reality glasses (greater realism, but more demanding on the PC)

Steering wheel and pedals

Definitely, The steering wheel is the most important component of sim racing. Choosing the right one will make the difference between an arcade experience and a realistic one. There are options for every budget:

• Thrustmaster T150: It's the best value for money. It has good force feedback and is compatible with both consoles and PCs.
• Thrustmaster T150 Pro: Same as above, but with better quality T3PA pedals.
• Logitech G29: Solid construction and a good metal bottom bracket. It has slightly less force feedback.
• Thrustmaster TS-XW Sparco or Direct Drive: For advanced users. Very professional feel but requires a good mounting base.

Controller or keyboard? If you're on a budget and just starting out, you can play with a controller like the Xbox Elite Series 2. It's not ideal, but it's enough to try things out. A keyboard and mouse are hardly a viable option in high-precision simulators. For more information on related tricks, you can read about Cheats for Pilots Misadventures on PC.

Chair or seat

If you're serious, A good simulation chair is almost as important as the steering wheelYou can opt for a high-back gaming chair, or if you want the closest thing to a real car, mount a bucket seat in your cockpit.

Again, there are homemade options for anchoring recycled seats from real cars, or you can purchase specific seats with the chassis. They cost from €100 to over €500.

Speakers or headphones

Sound contributes enormously to immersion. If you can, set up a 5.1 or 7.1 system in the room. Hearing the engine roar from different angles puts you more into the race.

If you don't want to complicate things, A good gaming headset is also worth it., although you lose some of the ambient sound that places you inside the cabin.

PC or console for simracing?

Both platforms have pros and cons. Here's a summary:

• PC: more graphic options, mods, more active community, more varied games but higher initial investment.
• Console: Plug and Play, cheaper to get started, fewer technical issues, but no mods and fewer configuration options.

If you really want to get the most out of sim racing, a PC is the best long-term option. But for starters, the console can save you a lot of headaches.

Is a cockpit necessary to get started?

No. To get started You can improvise a steering wheel support on a table, anchor the pedals to the floor, and use an ergonomic chair. But as you move forward, you notice the steering wheel moving, the pedals slipping, and your posture becoming strained.

That's when it's worth investing in a cockpit or even making a homemade one.. Don't rush into it, make sure you like it first. Some chefs are using shelves, modified desks, and wooden structures as bases. The creativity knows no bounds!

Tips for getting off to a good start

• Set a realistic budget before you start buying components.
• Choose an accessible game like Assetto Corsa or Project Cars to get you started.
• Practice without competing so as not to get frustrated against very experienced pilots.
• Don't obsess over the teamA pilot with a cheap setup and lots of practice outperforms one with the most expensive cockpit but no experience.

If you want to compete online, start racing with friends or join communities where track cleanliness is respected. If you play on console, look for social media groups where you can share events and races without pressure.

Mount yourself a cockpit for simracing It's an experience as exciting as it is challenging. The key is to enjoy the journey. You don't need the best equipment from the start, but rather a solid foundation, experience, and plenty of hours behind the wheel. With perseverance, Your cockpit will gradually evolve into the nerve center of your passion for racing..