Sim Racing Setups for ALL Budgets in Malaysia

Following up on my previous article regarding sim racing spots in Malaysia, this is an article for those who want to go further and actually own a setup themself! Many people have the assumption that simulation racing needs to have some sort of expensive gear that costs RM10k, which it can be but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. From Logitech to Fanatec, here are the sim racing gears I’d recommend for every budget, starting from low, mid, premium tiers and finally the high-end, "Why not just burn money?", tier.

Low Budget: Racing on a Dime

1. Wheel and Pedals:

          Logitech G29 (Playstation, PC) G920 (Xbox, PC) (Used) (RM 500-900)

2. Cockpit:

         Wheel’s Inbuilt Table Clamp, Chair at Home, Aluminium or DIY stand (Free - RM 200)

3. Monitor:

          House TV, Your PC/Laptop monitor. (Free)

Cheapest: RM500

Most Expensive: RM1,100

I’m not saying that RM 500 is really cheap, but this is possibly the best setup I’d recommend for beginners starting out due to how reliable the G29/G920 is (It’s where I started!). I didn’t recommend the PXN wheels as they’re much lower quality than the G29 and it feels more toy-like. One thing to remember is that the pedals of the G29/G920 are quite frail, so make sure you try them first before buying if possible. A tip to save even more money is to check for bundle deals on the used market. There are many great deals from sellers that bundle in stands, H-pattern shifters or both on Shopee, Carousell and Mudah. As for the cockpit, just use your PC/Laptop table and any chair combo. If you’re crafty, there’s tons of guides online to make your own stand.

Mid Tier, Mid Ranger, More Fun

1. Wheel and Pedals

          Moza R3 Bundle (RM 1,500-1,600) (Xbox, PC) or R5 bundle (RM 1,900-2,100) (PC                only) (No Clutch included in bundle, sold separately at RM 200)

2. Cockpit:

          PlaySeat Challenge Actifit Black (RM 900) 

3. Monitor Stand: (Not needed if you play in front of your TV)

          Generic Stand for Single Monitor (RM300)

4. Monitor: (Could be free)

          32 inch monitor from any brand (Used) (RM400-700)

5. Handbrake:

          Generic Handbrake from Shopee or Lazada (RM250-300)

6. Shifter: 
   Generic Shifter from Shopee or Lazada (RM200-400)
   
   

Cheapest: RM2,850

Most Expensive: RM4,900

If you have more money on your hands and you’re sure this is a hobby you’re willing to invest in, this mid range setup is the best out there, bonus if you already play on the TV for cost savings. The R3 and R5 are one of the cheapest direct drive wheels on the market, which means it drives more realistically and is able to more accurately reproduce details from the simulator. One downside is that the clutch is sold separately, so if you want DIY action it's gonna cost around RM 200 more. The stand doesn’t necessarily need to be the Playseat Challenge, but make sure the stand you choose is one that can withstand the 3-5nm force these wheels can produce. I chose it personally because it’s sturdy and foldable so it can save space when you need to. Handbrake and Shifter are generic for cost savings but they work like a charm (I’ve owned some). If you buy the monitor stands, make sure to get a 32 inch monitor. Any brand is fine and you can find good used examples on Mudah and Carousell. 


Premium: The Sweet Spot for Pros

1. Wheelbase + Wheel

          Moza R16 (PC only) (RM 4,399)
          Moza RSV2 Round Wheel (For Rally) (RM1,899)
          Moza KS GT Racing Wheel (For F1 or GT racing) (RM1,599)

2. Pedals:

          Fanatec CSL Elite V2 Pedals (RM 2,699)

3. Cockpit:

          Simmatch Racing Simulator Rig GT1 Aluminum (RM 1,099-2,099 depending on                      configuration)

4. Monitor Setup:

          Triple Monitors: 3x 27" IPS Gaming Monitors (144Hz) (RM1,800–3,000)

          Single Ultra-Wide Monitor (e.g Gigabyte M34WQ 34 inch) (RM2,599)

5. Shifter:

         Moza HGP Shifter (RM685)

6. Handbrake:

         Moza HBP Handbrake (RM 480)

7. Accessories: 

         Generic Keyboard and Mouse (RM 20)

Cheapest: RM 12,781 (Single Monitor, Minimal Accessories)

Most Expensive: RM16,779 (Triple Monitors, Full Accessories)

This setup offers unparalleled realism and quality without hitting the price tag of ultra-high-end rigs. It’s designed for dedicated enthusiasts who want competitive performance and durability. With a 16nm direct-drive wheel, load-cell pedals, and a high-refresh-rate monitor setup, this is a proper premium setup for those who’re trying to compete in higher level leagues or those that want the best gear starting out. Just make sure you have enough space to actually accommodate this behemoth!

For most sim racing fans, this is the ideal "endgame" tier, combining pro-level hardware and an immersive experience without going too overboard.

High End: The Sky is the Limit

1. Wheel: 
   Fanatec Podium DD1 F1 Steering Wheel Bundle (PC, Xbox, Playstation) (RM12,999)

2. Pedals:
   Heusinkveld Sim Pedals Ultimate + (RM 7,699)

3. Cockpit:

          Trak Racer TR 8 (Single Monitor RM 5789, Triple Monitors RM 6,879)

4. Monitor:

          Samsung 49" Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC DQHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor (RM 5,999-6,800) 

5. Shifter:

         Fanatec Clubsport H Shifter SQ 1.5 (RM 1,990)

6. Handbrake:
   Fanatec Clubsport V1.5 Handbrake (RM1,299)

7. Accessories:

         Generic Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard (RM 20)

Cheapest (Not Really): RM 35,795

Most Expensive: RM37,686

This is the best of the best when it comes to the driving feel and immersion. It’s for the people who want to experience the pinnacle of sim racing technology, where every detail, from force feedback to visual immersion, is taken to the absolute extreme. The Fanatec ecosystem is strong and has a lot of support in terms of wheel selection. The pedals are load cells that calculate pressure instead of the travel distance of the pedal, allowing for the most accurate inputs. Fanatec’s shifter is smooth and has a satisfying tactile click every time you shift. The accessories are bought for ease of access when you want to change games or something else. However, for most sim racers, the mid-tier section is more than enough to be competitive and provide an incredibly realistic driving experience and this is more for the wealthy fellows out that want to have every bit of advantage they can get.

Conclusion

Sim racing offers options for all budgets, from affordable setups for beginners to high-end rigs for enthusiasts seeking the ultimate experience. Low-budget setups provide solid performance without a hefty price tag, while mid-tier rigs strike the perfect balance between cost and realism. Premium is the end-game setup for those hoping to reach professional levels. High-end setups are designed for those who want ultimate immersion and performance, but for most, the mid-tier is more than enough to be competitive. Ultimately, it’s about enjoying the hobby, improving your skills, and choosing the setup that fits your needs and budget.

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Read More: Rev Up Your Day: Top 3 Popular Sim Racing Spots in Malaysia

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