Sim racing is no longer a niche category, but one thing remains as true as ever: you need a capable gaming PC in order to properly handle the demanding simulation physics and realistic visuals.
Sure, any of the best pre-built gaming PCs would fit the bill, but we're still listing our favorites that generally lean towards beefier hardware to handle these realistic simulation titles. The Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10) is a top pick for most people, but I've included five great alternatives that we've personally tested.
February 2, 2026: Our picks haven't changed, but I've added recommended configurations and an FAQ where I answer popular sim racing questions. I've also updated all prices and retailer links. — Cale Hunt
TL;DR: Summarizing our findings
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- Sim racing games benefit most from a powerful CPU and GPU combo: Simulation physics need a strong processor to run smoothly, and I'd aim for a strong chip before considering an upgrade to your GPU.
- Best overall — Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10): With lots of configuration options, stellar performance, and a quality build, this is the best choice for most users.
- Best mid-size — HP OMEN 35L: Don't want such a big PC but still want modern performance hardware? This is the way to go, and there are tons of configuration options available.
- Best compact — ASUS ROG G22CH: This tiny gaming PC is a top option for anyone who wants to hide away the centerpiece of their racing sim setup.
- Best mid-range — Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (Gen 10): Lenovo's mid-range pre-built is often available for a lot less than the Legion Tower 7i.
- Best custom — Maingear MG-1: This is my recommended option for anyone who wants a pre-built PC that feels like it was built at home.
- Best value — iBuyPower Slate Mesh: Another PC that feels like it was built by your own hands, the Slate Mesh starts at a very reasonable price.
I've been building, testing, and using gaming PCs for decades, and I know what makes a pre-built system worth your money.
The best overall pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10) configuration:
Lenovo was already a high-ranking pick on this list with a previous-gen Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8). It was gigantic, but that size came with capable cooling and the latest hardware. This time around, Lenovo actually addressed the former with a slightly more compact PC case, but doesn't skimp on the same gorgeous design elements.
Configurable with Intel's Core Ultra Series 2 (Arrow Lake) desktop processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs from an RTX 5070 Ti up to a top-end RTX 5090, and configurable RAM starting at 32GB, it's all user-upgradable anyway.
Port selection is just as plentiful as ever, which is perfect for loading up a racing wheel, pedals, shifter, and whatever other peripherals you might want to connect separately if they aren't compatible with a hub.
Windows Central's former reviewer Zachary Boddy reviewed the Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10), remarking:
"The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10) reuses the same general design, but trims down the dimensions and offers greater performance and cooling than ever before".
You can order a Legion Tower 7i directly from Lenovo, starting at $2,639.99 with a currently-running 29% discount. Yes, it's still a sting, even with the deal, but if you want a fire-and-forget solution for sim racing, then this beefy pre-built rig is still the best bet.
👀Read our full Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10) review
The best mid-sized pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended HP OMEN 35L configuration:
We may recommend Lenovo's pre-built Legion PCs a lot, but the HP OMEN family has its own fantastic qualities worth considering.
The HP OMEN 35L is the best example, pairing a beautiful 35-liter chassis with the best components you can get from Intel, NVIDIA, and even AMD. A ton of different configuration options allows for budget flexibility, too.
The most affordable model at the time of my latest update includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 225F CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. However, you can also find Intel 14th Gen, Intel Core Ultra (Series 1), and AMD Ryzen options. HP also offers up to an RTX 5090 GPU for maximum power.
Your expansion options are a little limited because of the compact chassis and HP's software isn't my favorite, but the OMEN 35L is a very strong performer with excellent thermal management, above-average cable management, and toolless access to its standardized parts.
In Zachary Boddy's HP OMEN 35L review, they concluded:
"The HP OMEN 35L is the freshly coronated king of HP's pre-built gaming desktop family, and it's sitting pretty at the top. The compact, two-tone "panda" design is built to last and built to be upgraded, new Intel Core Ultra hardware delivers surprisingly impressive performance, and the smaller case still packs plenty of ports."
Endless configuration options mean you can get your own HP OMEN 35L from just $1,139.99 at HP after a current 27% discount, but those prices obviously skyrocket quickly as you upgrade the hardware inside.
👀Read our full HP OMEN 35L review
The best compact pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended ASUS G22CH configuration:
If you're looking for something unique, a little niche, a little different, ASUS is often a good company to turn to. That's true with gaming PCs, too, as ASUS is one of the only major brands investing in making truly powerful, compact gaming PCs.
The ASUS ROG G22CH isn't quite a mini-PC, but it's much smaller than basically any other gaming desktop you might consider, coming with just 10L of internal volume.
You don't have to be concerned about power, though. The ASUS ROG G22CH comes equipped with the latest Intel and NVIDIA hardware, and can go toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful computers out there.
This is a fast machine, and its thermal management is impressive enough that the G22CH can keep up with you no matter your task. Size constraints mean you are limited to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER, but that's more than powerful enough for all the best sim racing games.
In our ASUS ROG G22CH review, my former colleague, Rebecca Spear, said:
"ASUS ROG provides the accessible gaming excellence it promises with this compact tower that can easily fit on your desk or media center. It's packed with a powerful RTX-4070 GPU and an Intel Core i9-13900KF to provide smooth gaming experiences. The fans tend to be loud, but they keep the system cool and working efficiently. Plus, you can customize this rig's RGB lighting for a fun vibe."
Just be aware of the limited configuration options and opportunities for future upgrades or expansions. If the ROG G22CH checks all the boxes on your list, you can get it from $1,599.99 at ASUS after a $200 discount.
👀Read our full ASUS ROG G22CH review
The best mid-range pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended Legion Tower 5i (Gen 10) configuration:
Lenovo makes another appearance on this list with its Legion Tower 5i. It looks very similar to the more expensive Legion Tower 7i above, but trades some features and a fair bit of power to save you as much money as possible.
This desktop caps out where the Legion Tower 7i begins, but that doesn't mean it's a slouch. Modern Intel and NVIDIA hardware means you're getting a very capable PC that can scale with your needs.
You're still getting a premium, well-designed chassis with attractive RGB lighting and easy, toolless access. That means it's easy to upgrade the Legion Tower 5i after you buy it, although you'll be a little more limited out of the box than the Legion Tower 7i.
Thermal management is also great, ensuring that even hours-long gaming sessions go off without a hitch. I reviewed the last-gen Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8), stating:
"With cool performance for 1440p gaming, a sleek RGB case with clean cable management, and a competitive price, the Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8) should be considered by any PC gamers who don't want to build their own system. It has its drawbacks, like any pre-built, but overall the pros outweigh the cons."
Just be sure it has all the ports you need, and possibly consider prioritizing the power supply as one of your first upgrades. For FHD-QHD gaming, though, the Legion Tower 5i should crush any sim racing title.
Prices currently start at about $2,799.99 at Lenovo for a model with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. I recommend waiting for a sale that drops it lower than the Legion Tower 7i before buying.
👀 Read our full Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8) review
The best custom pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended Maingear MG-1 configuration:
PC gaming enthusiasts are often frustrated by the lack of customization options and the use of proprietary parts in pre-built systems. Maingear solves those issues with its MG-1.
While there are pre-configured models available for a quick checkout at Maingear's site, there's also an interactive configurator with countless components available.
Prices range from about $1,876 to $5,000 and beyond, and you can add up to an NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPU, and more RAM and storage than realistically required for sim racing.
When I reviewed the Maingear MG-1 in 2025, I remarked:
"I value a clean build that uses standard parts and doesn't come with any surprises, and that's exactly what Maingear's MG-1 delivers. I have a few small nitpicks and you'll have to come to terms with paying a premium, but this is an impressive machine for both veterans and newcomers to PC gaming."
Maingear's in-house customer support can help with any issues, and a strong warranty covers your purchase. If you don't want to build your own system but want a system that was assembled by hand by folks who have a passion for PCs, this is the way to go.
👀 Read our full Maingear MG-1 review
The best value pre-built PC for sim racing
My recommended iBuyPower Slate Mesh configuration:
One of the more recognizable names in the pre-built PC space is iBuyPower, which straddles the gap between mainstream desktops and boutique custom builds.
The company offers a wide array of hardware configurations to suit absolutely every need and budget, and the Slate 8 Mesh is our personal favorite of the bunch.
Configurable with all the latest Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA hardware, anyone can build their own Slate 8 Mesh and be confident they're getting a competitive price that rivals the savings that come with building your own gaming rig.
In our iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh review, my colleague, Cale Hunt, concluded:
"Aside from some issues with the stock fan curve and cheap PSU, the iBuyPower Slate 8MP 004 comes out looking quite good after weeks of use. And considering you might be able to get it for cheaper than the price of building your own similar system, it's a pre-built gaming PC I can recommend checking out."
You can build your own iBuyPower PC from around $1,379 at iBuyPower, with multiple generations of Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA hardware from which to choose.
👀 Read our full iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh review
How we test pre-built gaming PCs at Windows Central
Just like any PC that we get our hands on at Windows Central, pre-built gaming PCs are put through an extensive testing process.
We start on the outside, taking a look at port selection, layout, and overall build quality. We then delve into the internals to test performance, cooling, and layout. If a PC isn't easily upgradeable after purchase, or if the cable management isn't acceptable, we'll let you know.
FLIR cameras are used to test temperatures, and system noise is measured with a decibel meter. In terms of performance, we run several benchmarking tools, including PCMark, 3DMark, Geekbench, Cinebench, CrystalDiskMark, CrossMark. And when it comes to gaming PCs, we run a list of popular titles to ensure steady performance.
How do I choose the best PC or laptop for sim racing?
Getting started in sim racing is pretty straightforward, and though you can't engage without a decent PC and racing setup, it's easy enough to get going.
You need a solid PC at the heart of your setup, and all of the PCs here can handle all the virtual racing you can throw at them with multiple monitors or even VR for high-spec models.
As a sim racing enthusiast, I can attest that the demands of each title can vary wildly depending on your tastes. That, and you can pair them with the best racing wheels for the ultimate at-home sim rig, or at least as far as your budget allows.
For enthusiasts, more focus will be on accurate simulation, which generally requires a stronger CPU, as in the best overall and enthusiast picks. Anyone craving realistic visuals will want a more powerful graphics card.
I recommend having a look first at Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10), starting at $2,639.99 at Lenovo after a 29% discount.
Of course, there are plenty of more affordable options. If you want a great desktop PC that you can upgrade into the future, the HP OMEN 35L is my tower of choice, starting from $1,139.99 at HP.
Windows Central has extensive experience with building custom PCs and testing pre-built desktops or gaming laptops, and we often use titles like Forza Horizon 5 and iRacing to test these machines.
Given that, this is our list of the very best options we've tested so far. As with all PC gaming, you should check the required specifications for your favorite game and compare them against a choice that fits your budget.
Best PC for sim racing FAQ
Can I use a laptop to play racing sims?
You can certainly use a laptop to power your sim racing setup, although if you want the best performance possible, a desktop is still the way to go. Check out our collection of top gaming laptops for more information.
Why are PC prices so much higher in 2026?
PC prices are climbing quickly in 2026, and the main culprits are rising RAM and storage prices. The global shortage of DRAM and NAND is also causing prices of GPUs to climb, further contributing to the PC prices you're seeing today.
Are sim racing games CPU intensive?
The specific answer depends on the sim racing game in question, but in general, sim racing titles are indeed CPU intensive. Having a powerful CPU in your PC ensures the game can keep up with the deep physics involved. However, you don't want to skimp on the GPU either; a more powerful graphics card will only make your games feel more realistic.
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