rec.autos.simulators

iRacing - Hardware

Dirt

iRacing - Hardware

by Dirt » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:14:00

So, I just found out about iRacing and it has me thinking about coming
back to sim racing after quite a while.  What sort of hardware can you
really get away with?  Are the minimums listed at iRacing.com
realistic, or is that really scraping the bottom of the barrel?

-Dirt-

Andrew MacPhers

iRacing - Hardware

by Andrew MacPhers » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:26:00


> So, I just found out about iRacing and it has me thinking about
> coming back to sim racing after quite a while.

Even with my many frustrations with iRacing, it is the kind of code which gets you
back in the driving seat, one way or another! I've done more laps in more sims
since starting my trial month in iRacing than I've done in the last two years.

Hardware-wise, I think the biggest factor I've seen is whether you have a dual core
processor. iRacing really seems to benefit significantly from that. As for graphics,
it seems remarkably flexible if you have a relatively modern card. Exactly how
modern though, I'm not sure. I started with what is now a relatively dated (in
enthusiast terms anyway!) 8800GTS 320Mb and it coped very well with the shadows
turned down to basic settings. An E6600 processor running at 3GHz probably helps a
lot though for throwing the physics around.

I really do wish iRacing would open up parts of their forums to the general public.
It would help greatly with queries like yours. But the minimum specs look pretty
realistic to me, if you can live with a few compromises.

Andrew McP

Dirt

iRacing - Hardware

by Dirt » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:29:35

Thanks.  My current processor is a dual core 2.33GHz and my graphics
card has an NVidia 7300 series chip (name unknown) and 512M.  Not sure
if this quite meets the bill, though, as its now two years old.  I
certainly won't be buying a new computer for iRacing, which why I'm
hoping my current setup could be made to work.

-Dirt-

Remco Moe

iRacing - Hardware

by Remco Moe » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:49:47

On Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:29:35 -0700 (PDT), Dirt


>Thanks.  My current processor is a dual core 2.33GHz and my graphics
>card has an NVidia 7300 series chip (name unknown) and 512M.  Not sure
>if this quite meets the bill, though, as its now two years old.  I
>certainly won't be buying a new computer for iRacing, which why I'm
>hoping my current setup could be made to work.

I've an AMD 3500+ and a nVidia 6800 ultra. Granted, I had to cut down
a lot, up to class 5, but then I had an fps of 50, and not the feeling
I was missing out too much regarding graphics.

Cheers!

Remco

Andrew MacPhers

iRacing - Hardware

by Andrew MacPhers » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:03:00


> NVidia 7300 series chip (name unknown) and 512M

I take it that;s the RAM on the video card, not the pain PC?

The 7300 chipset was initially a bit more of a concern, but I've just set iRacing

graphics card. iRacing configured the video setting automatically, and it runs well.
Nowhere near the setting on my main games box, but acceptable for racing rather
than staring at the scenery. :-)

The RAM footprint is harder to judge, but it looks to me (using the ctrl ALT DELETE
Task Manager) that iRacing is using about 445k. So as long as you have 1Gb+ of
system RAM you should be fine. It may even run ok with 512Mb, only with longer
pauses when entering & exiting.

Andrew McP

Dirt

iRacing - Hardware

by Dirt » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:28:40



Yes, that is the video RAM.  System RAM is 1G.

Dirt

iRacing - Hardware

by Dirt » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:32:14


I haven't simmed since GPL, so I'm used to 30 fps!

-Dirt-

Larr

iRacing - Hardware

by Larr » Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:42:17

If you could run NR2003 full tilt, you can run iRacing.  However a bump in
processor and graphics capability would NOT hurt.

-Larry


PlowBo

iRacing - Hardware

by PlowBo » Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:42:04

Processor is fine, GPU (vid) will make things nicer the 7300 is pretty much
like my 8600 I believe, I like it fine.  I have an 8800gt and it runs better
on that card overall (but the card has a flaw and is on its way back with an
RMA>..


> If you could run NR2003 full tilt, you can run iRacing.  However a bump in
> processor and graphics capability would NOT hurt.

> -Larry



>> So, I just found out about iRacing and it has me thinking about coming
>> back to sim racing after quite a while.  What sort of hardware can you
>> really get away with?  Are the minimums listed at iRacing.com
>> realistic, or is that really scraping the bottom of the barrel?

>> -Dirt-

Dirt

iRacing - Hardware

by Dirt » Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:38:28

Thanks, all, for the answers.  Sounds like my current setup will be
adequate.

Now on to a different question.  I still have my Thomas Super Wheel
but it has a serial port interface.  Is there any way to make XPPro
recognize a serial interface properly?  I tried once a year or two ago
when I put away my Win98 GPL machine but was never successful in
getting it calibrated properly.  I contacted TSW but they essentially
suggest a complete rewire to their USB connection.  My other option if
the TSW can't be made to work is the wireless PC control adapter and
my XBox360 wireless FFB wheel.  Anybody use this wheel for iRacing?
The TSW is a brick and I love it, but FFB might be nice.  My only
experience with FFB is on Forza Motorsports on the 360.  I'm not
convinced yet.

-Dirt-

PS:  Any of you approaching 40 like me and wondering just what the
hell you're still doing thinking about sim racing all the time? ;)

Gary

iRacing - Hardware

by Gary » Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:11:18

Come back in 13 years and ask that.. ;-)

>PS:  Any of you approaching 40 like me and wondering just what the
>hell you're still doing thinking about sim racing all the time? ;)

Ed Medli

iRacing - Hardware

by Ed Medli » Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:55


You are a young pup.......:-). There are lots of folks on iRacing in their
50s and 60s.

Ed

speedm

iRacing - Hardware

by speedm » Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:21:02

I'm 45 an I sim race for a living, so to speak.

As far as XP is concerned, I installed my trusty Turtle Beach Santa
Cruz sound card into my home built box, and the joystick port works
just fine.

speedmd

Larr

iRacing - Hardware

by Larr » Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:14:04

Most trouble-free sound card ever made.  It's a shame they didn't continue
the family :(

-Larry


Bob Simpso

iRacing - Hardware

by Bob Simpso » Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:55:37


Eight years ago at 52, I discovered Simming with GPL.  It was like a
dream come true for me.  These Sims that we're talking about aren't
games, but a fairly realistic racing experience - especially when you
factor in a good wheel, pedals and shifter.

Now at 60, I don't see this stopping ever.  The "***" aspect just
isn't there in iRacing, GPL and the other fairly realistic Sims/Mods,
although there is a time and place to play games for recreation.

I can see that when I explain my hobby to others, they assume that
it's a game, but staying at it happliy for 8 years and more, they must
realize that it's a serious activity.


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