Help Needed for gaming PC for VR Sim racing

[Projax65]

Hi everyone
I have no experience configuring a PC and any help would be greatly appreciated. I want a PC which I can use for Sim racing both online and offline Including Assets Corsa, Project Cars, iRacing etc. I will be using a VR headset, probably Oculus Rift S but haven’t fully locked down on that yet. in time I will probably buy a Next Level Racing motion sim, and am not sure if that effects spec. I want to get the best possible resolution and immersion, and want to be able to have settings at or close to the max possible. I will need WiFi and will either download games or install via disc. I will need keyboard and mouse (Bluetooth) and thinking a card reader might be useful but not essential. In terms of price I would like to spend £2500, I do have some flexibility on that but would set a ceiling at £3000. I understand I need something like a Nvidia 2080 ti but then get lost when knowing what processor, motherboard RAM etc as I understand there can be bottlenecks and you can over spec unnecessarily. I used the basic configuration on the site see below for spec but have no idea if it will be good enough for what I am looking to use it for.

If anyone would be kind enough to help that would be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

[Projax65]

Case
CORSAIR SPEC-DELTA RGB MID TOWER GAMING CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 Eight Core Processor i9-9900K (3.6GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME Z390-P: ATX, LGA1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3000MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB INTEL® 660p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (upto 1500MB/sR | 1000MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
External DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
6x Slim USB 2.0 External Blu-Ray Writer
Memory Card Reader
USB 3.0 EXTERNAL SD/MICRO SD CARD READER
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W VS SERIES™ VS-650 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H60 2018 Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK270 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Miscellaneous
Created Using Jargon Free Configurator
Price: £2,260.00 including VAT and Delivery

 

[Scott]

This is about as good as it'll get for you right now. I haven't selected a keyboard and mouse, as those are more personal preferences, and the AX200 Wifi is out of stock so I've left that bare. The other options are massively overpriced....

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE R6 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 Eight Core Processor i9-9900K (3.6GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £2,504.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/xuX9U!TM99/

 

[Projax65]

This is about as good as it'll get for you right now. I haven't selected a keyboard and mouse, as those are more personal preferences, and the AX200 Wifi is out of stock so I've left that bare. The other options are massively overpriced....

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE R6 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 Eight Core Processor i9-9900K (3.6GHz) 16MB Cache
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO: ATX, LG1151, USB 3.1, SATA 6GBs - RGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3200MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £2,504.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z370-pc/xuX9U!TM99/

Thank you that is helpful

 

[Scott]

This AMD build is seriously worth considering over the Intel offering. The Intel will have a slight upper hand for VR Simming but there won't be a lot in it. There are some benefits to be had with this build....

It's more modern and has a current chipset and socket with a potential future next gen of chips.
Due to having the modern chipset it has the best storage options you can buy
It runs cooler and doesn't require as expensive a cooler (the cooler I've selected is overkill)
The RAM option is the fastest sensible option you can get right now, faster than the Intel option
It's cheaper.

The same caveats with the Wifi, Keyboard & mouse apply...

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE R6 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Eight Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.4GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)

Get 3 Months of XBOX Game Pass for PC w/ select AMD Ryzen CPUs

The Outer Worlds -OR- Borderlands 3 w/ select AMD Ryzen CPUs
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
11GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 2080 Ti - HDMI, 3x DP GeForce - RTX VR Ready!
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 520 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 5000MB/R, 2500MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
1TB ADATA SX6000 Pro PCIe M.2 2280 (2100 MB/R, 1500 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 750W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Corsair H100i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT (Wi-Fi NOT INCLUDED)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00001]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 12 to 15 working days
Price: £2,380.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/vr75eRFsbP/

 

[Projax65]

Thank you again lots to consider. Something else just occurred to me, I will be using a wheel / pedals etc and may will also want to connect to a 4k TV (HDMI I guess) with all the other things are their sufficient USB / HDMI ports or do I need to spec those.?

 

[Scott]

Thank you again lots to consider. Something else just occurred to me, I will be using a wheel / pedals etc and may will also want to connect to a 4k TV (HDMI I guess) with all the other things are their sufficient USB / HDMI ports or do I need to spec those.?

There's more than enough of everything you need in either build.

I've got a fanatec setup myself (Wheel, pedals & Shifter). All connects via a single USB port if you go down that route, or if it's independent kit you're looking for there are around 12 USB ports just as standard.

For the 4K TV HDMI will be fine. If you go for a monitor you will want to use Display Port. The GPU has more than enough ports though.

 

[Projax65]

Thanks, do you use a VR headset, and if so which one as I am still finalising that decision.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks, do you use a VR headset, and if so which one as I am still finalising that decision.

The one to go for is the Valve Index, that’s by far the best experience although also the most expensive. I use the original HTC Vive.

The rift s is cheap but you will get a trade off for that both in visuals and controller response.

it kinda goes:

valve index
HTC Vive Pro
Oculus rift s

Valve Index vs HTC Vive Pro vs Oculus Rift S: the VR headset showdown

Here's how the top VR headsets compare

www.techradar.com

 

[Projax65]

Thank you, thats been very helpful. I will take another look at the headsets....

 

[Scott]

As above. I went from the Standard Vive to the Valve Index. There's a decent markup in peripheral vision with the Index which does make a difference in sim racers especially (peripheral vision). Screen door effect is almost completely gone, it's far less noticeable and the clarity is noticeable with text. It's also able to run at 144hz which can make a marked difference to nausea (something I'm not affected by at any refresh rate but many people are, my GF was almost sick at one point).

Unfortunately for me ,but fortunately for you, it really needs a 2080Ti to push the pixels at the top level for the top games. My 2080 does admirably but to get the absolute best it has to be the 2080Ti. I couldn't justify it unfortunately, I think I'll have to wait for the next release to get a performance bump as I just can't drop £1k on a GPU.

The only advice I can offer regarding any of this.... if you can afford to... do it right, right from the off. The last thing you want to do is half ass anything and end up buying twice. Trust me, I've already done it haha.

If you're serious.... get the index and pair it with a 2080 Ti. For the driving peripherals get fanatec, the 2.5CSW is first class (what I'm running) with the V3 pedals and the high end shifter. The podium direct drive stuff is meant to be absolutely phenomenal. I did consider going down this route. I wouldn't go with any other DD system as the Fanatec stuff is as straight forward and plug and play as I have seen.

It costs an absolute BOMB but the experience is phenomenal.

 

[SpyderTracks]

As above. I went from the Standard Vive to the Valve Index. There's a decent markup in peripheral vision with the Index which does make a difference in sim racers especially (peripheral vision). Screen door effect is almost completely gone, it's far less noticeable and the clarity is noticeable with text. It's also able to run at 144hz which can make a marked difference to nausea (something I'm not affected by at any refresh rate but many people are, my GF was almost sick at one point).

Unfortunately for me ,but fortunately for you, it really needs a 2080Ti to push the pixels at the top level for the top games. My 2080 does admirably but to get the absolute best it has to be the 2080Ti. I couldn't justify it unfortunately, I think I'll have to wait for the next release to get a performance bump as I just can't drop £1k on a GPU.

The only advice I can offer regarding any of this.... if you can afford to... do it right, right from the off. The last thing you want to do is half ass anything and end up buying twice. Trust me, I've already done it haha.

If you're serious.... get the index and pair it with a 2080 Ti. For the driving peripherals get fanatec, the 2.5CSW is first class (what I'm running) with the V3 pedals and the high end shifter. The podium direct drive stuff is meant to be absolutely phenomenal. I did consider going down this route. I wouldn't go with any other DD system as the Fanatec stuff is as straight forward and plug and play as I have seen.

It costs an absolute BOMB but the experience is phenomenal.

Did you upgrade the whole kit or did you keep using the original Vive basestations with the index?

 

[Scott]

Did you upgrade the whole kit or did you keep using the original Vive basestations with the index?

I got the knuckles but I kept the base stations. I wanted to keep my options open where the V2 limits the connectivity. I still have my original kit as it simply isn't worth selling.

A while back me and the GF went into Pokerstars VR and sat at the same table playing while sitting next to each other in the living room. Surreal experience to be honest

 

[Projax65]

Thanks both, this is really great and helps me make some key decisions.