November is here, and with it comes the most dangerous month for our wallets. What started as a one-day Black Friday has now turned into a full month of tempting deals. And for those of us who live and breathe simracing, this is the time of year when the most hardware is sold from processors and graphics cards to wheels, pedals, and ultrawide monitors.
But this year there’s a dilemma: should you take advantage of the offers now, or wait until 2026 when new generations of processors and GPUs arrive? Let’s analyze it from the perspective of someone who wants the best possible performance on track.
The Context: 2026 and 2027 Bring Big Changes, But Do They Matter to You?
The world of hardware never stops. Intel and AMD are preparing new architectures, and Nvidia is working on GPUs with more VRAM. It sounds great, but before deciding to wait, you should ask yourself:
what improvements will you actually notice behind the wheel?
In simracing, what really matters is consistent FPS and low latency. Having 24 cores or 24 GB of VRAM won’t help much if your simulator doesn’t use them. The key is finding the sweet spot between performance, stability, and value.
Intel plans to release an updated version of its Core 200 series in 2026, with slightly higher frequencies and a more powerful NPU (neural processing unit). But for simracing, this won’t be a game changer.
The real leap will come in 2027 with Nova Lake, featuring a new socket, more cores, and a completely new architecture. However, if your goal is to get the most out of iRacing, Assetto Corsa, or Automobilista 2, single-core performance remains king and that’s where AMD currently has the upper hand.
AMD Censei (Zen 6): Logical Evolution and a Safe Bet
AMD’s upcoming Censei (Zen 6) architecture, expected in the second half of 2026, promises better efficiency, higher performance per watt, and full compatibility with current AM5 motherboards. This means that if you buy a Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series CPU now, you won’t be left behind later.
Zen 6 will continue to improve AMD’s crown jewel: 3D V-Cache technology. This feature makes a big difference in simulators, where the CPU load is high due to physics, AI, and multiple cars on track.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 9800X3D remain the ideal processors for simracing: eight cores, excellent single-core performance, and great thermals. In titles like ACC or iRacing, their ability to maintain stable frametimes is key, especially when using triple screens or VR headsets.
VRAM, Frame Pacing, and Realism: What Really Matters in a GPU
On the GPU side, NVIDIA is preparing its “Super” refresh RTX 5070 Super, 5070 Ti Super, and 5080 Super with more VRAM. Going from 16 GB to 18 or 24 GB sounds tempting, but in practice, current simulators don’t need that much.
For example, in Assetto Corsa Competizione at 4K with max textures, you’ll rarely exceed 10 GB of VRAM usage. The key isn’t the amount, but stability and frame pacing. GPUs like the RTX 4070 Ti or RX 7900 XT already deliver fantastic results.
If you use VR, then yes extra VRAM can help, since headsets demand more bandwidth. But even in that case, you don’t need to wait: current GPUs handle everything simracing can throw at them.
AMD GPUs: Stability and Performance at a Great Price
The RX 7900 XT and RX 7800 XT are still great options for racers. They offer 16 GB of VRAM, strong performance in rasterization (what really matters for simracing), and support for FSR 3 and FSR 4 technologies that now rival DLSS in quality and smoothness.
If you can grab one for around €600 or less, it’s a great buy. Plus, AMD has a good track record of long-term driver support, which is crucial if you keep your rig for years.
DDR5, Storage, and Cooling: The Unsung Heroes
Beyond CPUs and GPUs, simracing benefits greatly from DDR5 memory. Current kits offer high frequencies (6000 MHz+), low latency, and prices close to DDR4. Combined with a fast NVMe SSD, your system will load tracks and cars in seconds.
And don’t overlook cooling. Sim sessions tend to be long, so having a quiet, efficient thermal setup is almost as important as raw power.
So, Should You Buy Now or Wait?
The short answer: buy now if you find a good deal.
The longer answer:
- If your PC is mostly for simracing, the 2026 upgrades won’t make a real difference.
- If you also use it for VR, streaming, or content creation, it might be worth waiting for Zen 6 or the RTX Super series.
- But if you just want more FPS, smoother gameplay, and reliability, today’s components already deliver that easily.
Also, this Black Friday is shaping up to be special: CPU, GPU, and memory prices are the most balanced they’ve been in years. Be aware that in 2026 prices might rise due to the AI hardware boom.
Hardware will always evolve, but the joy of a perfect lap with your simulator running at 120 stable FPS and zero stutters can’t be replaced by waiting for future promises.
So if you’ve been dreaming about upgrading your rig to feel every vibration, every curve, and every mistake with more precision do it now. This November is a great time to build that simracing PC you’ve been planning.
Because in the end, it’s not about waiting for the next generation it’s about enjoying every race today.
See you on the track!
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