Things to Consider When Installing a Racing/Flight Simulator in Your Apartment/Condo

Figure 1: Racing Simulator in an Apartment Room
So, you are finally ready to take your gaming experience up to the next level and dive into the world of simulation!?
Indeed, racing and flight simulators can provide a top-notch immersive experience. When set up the right way, they practically blur the lines between reality and gaming. However, just like with assembling, setting up a simulator correctly is no easy feat. Among many considerations, space requirements, noise levels, and power supply are only to name a few.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there’s no need to stress! In this guide article, we go through all the things to consider when installing a racing/flight simulator in your apartment or condo. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Is Your Room Properly Ventilated?

Figure 2: A Simulator Setup Near A Window
This might sound like a silly way to start but trust me, a room with poor ventilation is a BIG NO for an apartment-friendly simulator setup! No matter how big the room is, how many power outlets are provided, or how well it can suppress noise; if it’s not properly ventilated, everything is futile.
Gaming PCs, monitors, and simulators generate a lot of heat, especially during prolonged sessions. Proper ventilation is especially important if you live in a hot climate region like Egypt or Mexico. If there is not enough ventilation, your surrounding place will soon become uncomfortably warm.
Therefore, whatever room you plan to set your simulator in, ensure that it has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating and discomfort. You may even need to reposition fans or keep windows open if the room in question is small. If possible, avoid enclosed spaces at all costs.
If your room is unventilated and there are no windows, you can then consider installing an air conditioner to regulate temperature and keep the space ventilated.
Do You Have Enough Power Outlets in Your Room?

Figure 3: Multiple PC Setups in A Room
Once you’ve ensured proper ventilation in the room, the next thing to consider when installing a racing/flight simulator is to check for power outlets. A big ventilated room with little to no power outlets is effectively useless for s simulator setup.
Although ensuring enough power outlets is important, what’s even more important is to see if your power outlets can handle the load of your simulator setup. Sim setups with multiple screens, VR systems, and motion rigs, can require a lot of power. Good electrical wiring in the room can help sustain the load required for smooth operation without overloading circuits that might lead to power issues or tripped breakers.
Confirm the electrical capacity of your apartment since many apartments' electrical systems are not designed for high-performance gaming setups. Consider consulting an electrician if needed.
Can Your Floor Handle the Setup Load?

Figure 4: A Complex Flight Simulator Setup
A handy home simulator installation tip is to check and confirm the maximum load your floor can handle. Higher-end flight and racing simulators, especially those equipped with motion rigs, can be quite heavy. When used for longer sessions, the vibrations caused by motion rigs and moving parts can significantly weaken your floor.
Now, this aspect might only be a concern for users living in old apartment buildings or where the flooring is made of plywood or similar material. You can safely ignore this section if your floors are made of solid durable materials. Concrete floors, for instance, can easily handle a heavy-duty simulator setup so if you’ve got one, there’s no need to worry. Just move on to the next section.
But if your floor is made of plywood or other similar material that supports limited weight per square foot, then make sure to check your building's structural load limits. Go for suitable lighter setups that your floor can easily support without any issues.
Is There Enough Space Available?

Figure 5: A Simulator Placed in A Spacious Room
Having enough space is one of the most important things to consider when installing a racing/flight simulator in your apartment or condo. Unlike gaming PCs, where you easily cramp up components inside a single case, both flight and race simulators take up considerable room since each component needs a dedicated space to place and function properly.
Therefore, before purchasing or building a simulator, measure the area where you plan to install it. Consider not only the size of the rig but also the space for the monitors, speakers, and any additional accessories. Make sure that your setup allows you to have enough room to move around the simulator comfortably.
Noise and Neighbours

Figure 6: A Flight Simulator on A Noise-Dampening Mat
Creating an apartment-friendly simulator setup means keeping noise to a minimum. The primary reason why you need to keep the noise level down is because you have to take your neighbours into consideration.
In an apartment or condo, you usually have neighbours who live next door or below you. As such, the vibrations, sounds, and movements from force feedback steering wheels and pedal systems can be very disruptive and even harmful for them in some cases.
If there are old people living next to you or those sensitive to loud sound, consider using noise-dampening solutions like rubber mats, thick carpets, or isolation platforms that minimize the transfer of vibrations and noise through the shared walls and floors.
Furthermore, you can opt for quieter electric motors over hydraulic ones and choose to wear headphones for immersive sound rather than setting up a large 5.1 stereo sound system. A helpful home simulator installation tip would be to review your building’s rules or consult with management to ensure you won’t run into issues related to noise and modifications. This is particularly important if your simulator includes structural mounts or modifications.
Do You Have Access to High-Speed Internet?

Figure 7: A Person Racing In An Online Sim Race
Now that you have a simulator setup ready in a big ventilated room with proper power supply and negligible noise levels, the next thing to consider when installing a racing/flight simulator is its access to the internet.
While there are many race and flight sim games available that support offline play, you’ll obviously need a stable and fast internet connection to participate in online races and flight competitions. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 alone, as per guru3d, can take up to a whopping 180 Mbps of internet bandwidth!
One thing you can do is ensure that your router is close to your setup. If not, then consider using a wired ethernet connection to minimize lag and ensure a smooth racing experience. Weak Wi-Fi can ruin online races, so plan accordingly.
On a side note, if you won’t be playing online for the most part, then make sure to have plenty of storage. Offline sim race and flight games often have you download maps, add-ons, and updates which can easily go up to hundreds of gigabytes in storage!
Room Aesthetics and Furniture Layout

Figure 8: A Simulator Placed Alongside a Gaming PC
Think about how your simulator will fit with your existing apartment furniture. Do you want a setup that blends in perfectly with your stuff or stands out as a focal point? Some rigs are built with sleekness in mind and can easily fit into modern decor while others are more utilitarian and might clash with your interior design.
Carefully decide here since your apartment-friendly simulator setup will contribute significantly to overall room aesthetics. Plus, it wouldn’t be financially easy for you to swap simulator rigs every now and then.
Since a simulator setup can make a strong visual impact, you may also find yourself in need of rearranging the room to accommodate the rig without cluttering the space. Ideally, you’ll want to find a balance between functionality and aesthetics, especially if the rig will be in a common area like your living room.
Make sure the setup doesn’t block walkways or prevent access to essential parts of the room. Moreover, depending on your apartment size, you might not have the luxury of leaving your simulator permanently set up. Fortunately, some rigs can be folded or disassembled when not in use, so consider how easy it will be to store your equipment. It’s better to have a dedicated space where you can keep the parts if you need to disassemble the simulator regularly.
F-GT Lite Formula and GT Foldable Simulator Cockpit by Next Level Racing is a very good example to mention here. Checkout this Amazon review on this product:
“I live in an small apartment downtown so space is VERY limited. I always wanted a sim rig so I saved up and built me one, I was going to go with another brand but after looking at reviews I gave this one a shot and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I have an all Fanatec sim setup, the 8Nm wheelbase works perfectly, I didn't feel the need to do any modifications or add straps to hold it down. I was able to strap a Buttkicker to it and it gives that additional immersion kick when playing racing games.
The best part is, after I'm finished I fold in the pedals portion, and the back rest and I can put my whole setup next to my TV all tucked in and out of the way. I will say however, that the shifter mount is kind of flimsy so there's a bit of a wiggle but I don't mind it.
ALSO, there's another version of this chair that is not as modular so make sure you're getting the F-GT Lite version.”
To Wrap It Up

Figure 9: A High-End Flight Simulator Setup
Setting up a racing or flight simulator in your apartment can truly transform your gaming experience. However, it delivers a top-notch immersive experience only if installed correctly. As seen above, there are many things to consider before installing a racing/flight simulator.
By considering ventilation, power needs, floor load, noise control, internet connectivity, space, and aesthetics, you can create a setup that not only enhances your gaming experience but also doesn’t compromise your apartment’s functionality.