Categories: Simracing

Sim Racing: Best Sim Racing Games For Low-Spec PCs

We know that many of you are going to take that first step, the step of discover the fantastic world of SimRacing. We also know that it is not an easy world, it is not as simple as buying a console and play.

Simulators today need huge resources and require good hardware if you want to get a good inmersion and experience. Therefore, in most cases a first investment is required.

If you are waiting to update your resources and you cannot wait any longer, we bring you a compilation of racing simulators that currently require low resources. They are all old glories and not so old glories that all of us have been through.

Many of the great simracers today have been forged through them, give them a chance.

Live for Speed

One of the simulators that currently refuses to die and that surprised the world without having to advertise too much. His realistic physics and online mode made him stand out in his time. With dozens of vehicles and tracks of all kinds, it is one of the first recommendations if you want to show your skills behind the wheel.

The game can be downloaded for free from the official website and installed to be used in demo mode, unlocking all content requires the purchase of a license that can be purchased from the official site with a price of £24, about 27€.

Minimum computer requirements:

2 GHz CPU, 256 MB memory, DirectX 9 capable 3D graphics card.

Recommended computer requirements:

3 GHz CPU, 1024 MB memory,
3D graphics card with at least 512MB memory.
LFS is mostly CPU dependent due to its physics calculations.
A full multiplayer grid requires a fast CPU more than a fast GPU.

rFactor

The king of simulators. Crown jewel. The simulator that opened the doors to the world for the community to build it. In short, a work of art out of its time.

Created by Image Space Incorporated, it is one of the best physics simulators available on the market, currently used by many professional competition teams. Its gMotor2 graphics engine is based on that of its previous title launched by EA Sports F1 Challenge 99-02 (and the rest of the F1 saga), the engine has also been used by other companies for their respective launches by SimBin (GTR and GT Legends, Race 07).

With thousands of mods from all eras, it is one of the most complete simulators that triumphed in its time. Currently there are private leagues that make use of it. On Steam, you can buy it for just €5.

System Requirements (Minimum)

CPU SPEED: 1.4 GHz processor
RAM: 512 MB
OS: Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, XP 64-bit, Vista
VIDEO CARD: Geforce4 4200 or Radeon 9200
TOTAL VIDEO RAM: 64 MB
HARDWARE T&L: Yes
PIXEL SHADER: 1.3
VERTEX SHADER: 1.1
FREE DISK SPACE: 2 GB

Recommended Requirements

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 processor
RAM: 2048 MB RAM
OS: Windows XP
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT or ATI Radeon X1900 GT
TOTAL VIDEO RAM: 256 MB
HARDWARE T&L: Yes
PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
FREE DISK SPACE: 2 GB

Automobilista (low settings)

Although Automobilista stands out for being one of the most current simulators within the list that we have selected, the Reiza simulator uses and improves the rFactor graphics engine, making it very accessible if you have a PC with low resources.

Physics is the great lung of this simulator. For many, it is a unique simulator on the market, where driving sensations are on the surface. If you are a sensations-only driver, this is your simulator.

Of course, the simulator has a community of modders, where you can find countless circuits and vehicles from all eras.

If you have a PC with very low resources, we recommend that you reduce all graphic options, especially shadows. Also, you can try products from the same brand as Game Stock Car, an earlier version with similar features.

Automobilista System Requirements (Minimum)

CPU: Info
CPU SPEED: 1.8 GHz or 100% compatible CPU
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10
VIDEO CARD: DX9 Compatible with minumum 1 GB Video Memory
PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
FREE DISK SPACE: 22 GB
DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 1 GB

Automobilista Recommended Requirements

CPU: Info
CPU SPEED: 3.4 GHz or 100% compatible CPU
RAM: 8 GB
OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10
VIDEO CARD: DX9 Compatible with minumum 2 GB Video Memory
PIXEL SHADER: 3.0
VERTEX SHADER: 3.0
FREE DISK SPACE: 22 GB
DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 2 GB

Simbin Saga

Swedish developer Simbin Studios founded in 2003 brought us one of the best driving sagas of the past 20 years.

The company released neither more nor less than GTR – FIA GT Racing Game, GT Legends, a sequel to GTR called GTR – FIA GT Racing Game 2, all released by 10tacle as well as RACE – The Official WTCC Game published by Eidos Interactive and RACE 07 – The Official WTCC Game which was the first Simbin game to include single-seaters.

System Requirements (Minimum)

OS:Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Seven
Processor:1.3 GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD
Memory:512 MB RAM
Graphics:DX8.1 comp. video card/64 MB
DirectX®:8.1
Hard Drive:3 GB HD space
Sound:DX8.1 comp. sound card

Recommended Requirements

Processor:2 GHz Intel Pentium IV or AMD
Memory:1 GB RAM
Graphics:DX9.0c comp. video card/256 MB
DirectX®:9.0c
Hard Drive:3 GB HD space
Sound:DX9.0 comp. sound card

Richard Burns Rally

Another king that refuses to be forgotten. For many, the best rally simulator. Launched on the market in 2004.

Its physics make this simulator one of the most difficult titles to beat currently. If you are a simulation purist and want to demonstrate your driving skills, this title should not be missing from your collection.

With active communities and modders, Richard Burns Rally looks amazing currently.