Nm for sim racing - what is best?

The torque of your sim racing wheel base is one of the key factors in defining the realism and immersion of your driving experience. Choosing the right torque depends on your budget, your driving experience, your intended sim racing rig, and even your physical condition.

In this article, we explore how different torque levels impact sim racing and highlight Fanatec's range of direct drive bases to help you find the perfect match.

Torque refers to a rotational force, which is most obviously felt in sim racing by the strength of the resistance when turning the wheel. Measured in Newton-meters (Nm), higher torque values deliver stronger feedback, which is important when simulating real-world steering forces.

All modern driving sims provide a force feedback signal that pulls the steering left or right. This signal is updated at high frequency, and is tightly bound to the physics calculations. The direction and amount of torque being asked from the motor at any given moment is what gives the sensation of real-time feedback. In general, if the motor is more powerful and more responsive, this improves the feeling of being physically connected to the virtual car.

The 5 Nm CSL DD and Gran Turismo DD Pro are the most affordable ways to experience Fanatec Direct Drive. Both systems can be upgraded to 8 Nm with the Boost Kit 180, a more powerful power supply. (The standalone Gran Turismo DD Pro Wheel Base already includes the larger power supply.)

The most popular entry-level belt drive and gear drive systems from other manufacturers typically operate around 2-3 Nm, so 5 Nm is already a step up from a 'beginner' device. Fanatec's direct drive technology means that there is no mechanical resistance in the steering system, so very light effects can still be felt. It's recommended to use the lighter wheels in combination with a 5 Nm motor.

At 8 Nm, the feedback is notably stronger. Leaning into the steering resistance in high-speed corners is more convincing and the wheel generally feels more 'active'. For many sim racers, 8 Nm is all they need for a great experience.

The 12 Nm ClubSport DD is a significant step up over a CSL DD at 8 Nm. This is not simply because of the additional torque - the ClubSport DD is a more recent development from Fanatec and direct drive technology has evolved. It uses FullForce, a technology which fuses high-fidelity vibration cues with the core force feedback signal to deliver a more immersive driving experience.

The 15 Nm ClubSport DD+ adds PlayStation compatibility and even more performance.

At these Nm levels, racers often start to turn things down from max power, particularly for long sessions. This is the range of torque where many real-world race cars operate.

The 20 Nm Podium DD1 and 25 Nm Podium DD2 are designed for enthusiasts seeking the highest torque levels.

For the Podium bases, it is particularly important to have a very strong sim cockpit, not just because of the torque, but also the physical weight (approx 10 KG).

20 Nm and above can delivery extremely strong force feedback. Running at maximum strength in the Fanatec Tuning Menu and the in-game settings will result in a workout for your upper body, as it reproduces the feeling of heavy steering in cars without power assistance.

Of course, it would be rare to want to run a DD2 at 25 Nm all the time - it's exhausting, and for many modern cars with steering assistance, unrealistically strong. As with all Fanatec bases, the strength can be reduced and fine-tuned to your preferences. But for some users, it is satisfying to know that they have the performance headroom in a DD1/DD2 to turn up the forces to max when they feel like simulating a 1980's Le Mans prototype.