New Computer and Wheel

Ok, I have now put together the new PC containing the following gear:

• Intel Quad Core Q6600 overclocked to 3.0GHz
• Gigabyte DQ6 motherboard
• 4 GB memory
• nVidia 8800GTX 768MB
• 2 x 250GB RAID0 OS/programs/games disk for speed (160MB/sec)
• 2 x 500GB RAID1 data disk for redundancy
• Windows Vista 64bit
• Antec P182 box
• Corsair 620W PSU

"It's a silent beast :)"

Also, my Red Momo wheel broke so I urgently had to get a new one. I was hoping to wait for the Frex FFB wheel but that is still a few months away so I ended up buying a Logitech G25. I must say that I am VERY happy with this wheel. The G25 pedals are also great but I will still replace them with Cannon Simulation Technologies CST-3B for a more solid construction. Finally, the G25 gear stick is of very cheap quality and will definitely be replaced by another H-shifter, probably the Frex HShift+ still.
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]

Progress update

I have finally been paid this month and first step is to buy the new PC. I have decided to use my current PC (P4, 3.6GHz with nVidia 7800 GTX) for the SimRoom and get a new machine for other use. I will be getting the Intel Quad Core 6600 as soon as they release it with proper stepping technology to preserve some voltage and heat (should I decide to overclock it).
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]

SimRoom Shopping List established.

I have spent more time reviewing the hardware and come up with the following shopping list for my SimRoom project. Prices exclude shipping and potential import charges (FrexGP products are ordered from Japan and ECCI products from USA). This may not be the final shopping list should I come across information or products that are more appropriate.

Steering Wheel
FrexGP MOMO 26 2800mm Suede on DFP Custom Base with a Wheel Adapter Kit
Cost: 3395 SEK

Shifters
FrexGP HShift+ H pattern 8speed. Cost: 2270 SEK
FrexGP Shift+ Sequential shifter. Cost: 684 SEK

Pedals
ECCI 6000 Trackstar 6000 Ultra Pedals HDUSB with Clutch (+ spare pots)
Cost: 3696 SEK

Flight Controls
Saitek X52 Pro. Cost: 1536 SEK

Large Screen Solution
Sanyo PLV-Z5 Projector. Cost: 10295 SEK
Kingpin FS200 16:9 88" Screen. Cost: 2395 SEK

Race Frame
FrexGP Cockpit with Footrest, Keyboard holder, Mouse Plate, Overhead Pedal Mount Kit, Shiftstand. Cost: 3279 SEK
Raidopower Racing Chair. Cost: 2495 SEK

Motion Simulator
FrexGP SimConMOTION Special Set (SimConMOTION+SimConBASE+DamperKit). Cost: 11297 SEK

Other
FrexGP SimConMETER. Cost: 2842 SEK

Total cost: 44184 SEK (ex. shipping and potential import charges)

The list also excludes the simulation computer (it will be a dual core Intel machine with a nVidia 8800GTS/GTX graphics card - I also have most of these parts already) as well as decorative stuff, cables, mini-fridge and sound proofing material :) I hope shipping isn't too expensive because it only leaves around 11'000 of my budget minus shipping charges. But, hey, I am sure I can convince wife that decorative design of the room shouldn't be part of that budget as it is in her best interest that it looks nice as she walks past the room!
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]

Soundproofing the SimRoom

I suspect that the sound level in the SimRoom will be quite high while racing (both from the sounds in the simulator and potentially a motion frame) - I am thinking about ways to reduce the amount of sounds coming OUT of the room (e.g, someone might be watching TV downstairs and don't quite find the loud engines as amusing as I will).

There are plenty of ways to reduce sounds but I won't go overboard here and sound insulate the walls with a layer of concrete, another layer of plaster board, yet another layer of 5" insulation and so forth. The room is quite small (3.7 x 2.2 meters) and it currently has wooden floor and normal wallpapered walls. I'll cover the floor with a new thick (as thick as I can find) carpet (my British wife will be happy about this :) to dampen any sound but also to protect the floor from any motion simulator movements. I suspect I will regret this later when dust settles in the carpet, but never mind, I can rip it out if it gets on my nerves!

For the walls and door, I am looking for some type of absorbing wall paper and paint. I found "Acousti-Coat". The manufacturer claims that mid range sounds can be reduced about 30%, so and how much of a bluff that is I don't know, but I am quite sure it won't crease the sound emitted from the room so it's worth a try.

There is a good article about sound isolation and noise reduction that explains how sound travels and how it's effectively reduced. It is more aimed at the home cinema / recording studio audience, but I'll be digging for useful tips and tricks in there. Only two things stops travelling sound and that is mass and space.

If you have any ideas or experience in how to effectively reduce sound being emitted from a room I'd be happy to see it in the comments =)
Category: SimRoom [cat_sr]

Wife Upgrade Hits Finances

Here I am... trying to finance and build my SimRoom when wife decides to upgrade her assets at a cost of 55'000 SEK (that's 27'500 SEK per asset upgraded :) - by chance - this also set my budget for this SimRoom project at 55'000 SEK - but my build process and spending will be spread across coming months. I hope to have the room finished this autumn!
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]

SimRoom

Hello,

I am just launching this blog now to keep track of my SimRoom and hopefully give inspiration and ideas for others that may be interested in this project. SimRoom is not a room simulator, but rather a room dedicated for race and flight simulations such as Live for Speed (LFS), GTR2, rFactor, Flight Simulator X etc.

I currently spend quite a fair bit of my time racing Live For Speed using my normal PC with a 21" TFT monitor and the red Logitech Momo-wheel. Despite already having a great time playing the game with my current set up, I am about to try enhancing this experience even more by introducing a larger screen (preferably with wider field of view) along with better equipment such as race wheel, 3 pedals, H-shifter and hopefully also a motion simulator.

I will be posting my ideas and thoughts with links and references. Please feel free to comment my posts with your own knowledge and experience in this field :)

I might as well mention the link to my LFS teams web site, www.nordicracing.net.
Category: My SimRoom [cat_sr]