⚡ Current Setup at a Glance
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase + Bundle | Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 (3.2Nm) Verified | 3.2 Nm | $450 |
| Wheel Rim (Upgrade) | VelocityOne F FRX Formula Verified | Formula-style | $250 |
| Pedals | Hall Effect (KD3 Bundle) Verified | Hall Effect | Included |
| Shifter/Handbrake | Sequential + Handbrake (Legacy) Verified | Sequential | $250 |
| Console | PS5 Pro Verified | Next-gen | $700 |
| Rig | Custom Modified Foldable (SimLab base) Verified | Foldable | $1,200 |
| Main Monitor | Samsung G9 49" Ultrawide Verified | 49" 32:9 | $1,200 |
| Gaming PC | RTX 4080 + Ryzen 9800X3D Verified | High-end | $2,000 |
| Editing PC | Mac Studio M2 Max Verified | Apple Silicon | $2,500 |
🕹️ Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase + Bundle] Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 Verified Active
Complete direct drive bundle that became BlackPanthaa's primary setup. Includes wheelbase, race wheel with magnetic shifters, hall effect pedals, and race management display. "Looks this good and sleek" at the price point.
[Wheel Rim] Turtle Beach VelocityOne F FRX Formula Verified Active
Formula-style wheel rim added to the KD3 base one month after initial bundle purchase. Uses same quick release system. "Incredibly straightforward" upgrade path for expanding wheel collection.
[Pedals] Hall Effect Pedals (KD3 Bundle) Verified Active
Hall effect pedals included with the VelocityOne Race KD3 bundle. Modular design allows integration with other Velocity One Race components. Customizable feel.
[Wheel] Fanatec F1 Wheel (PS-Compatible) Verified Legacy
Formula-style wheel from 2021 rig build. Had PlayStation face buttons for console compatibility and built-in analog sticks for menu navigation. Shift lights displayed gear position and speed from in-game data.
[Console] PlayStation 5 Pro Verified Active
Primary gaming platform for console exclusives like Gran Turismo. Used for 24-hour endurance race content and PlayStation-exclusive racing games.
[Controller] Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Verified Situational
Premium Xbox controller with built-in settings screen. Used for racing games that don't support wheel input or when the wheel isn't practical.
[Shifter + Handbrake] Sequential Shifter & Handbrake Verified Legacy
Part of the original 2021 $9k build. Sequential shifter was used to change camera view in some games. Handbrake was mapped to circle button as workaround when physical unit wasn't recognized.
🏗️ Rig & Seating
[Rig] Custom Modified Foldable (SimLab Base) Verified Work in Progress
After moving apartments, BlackPanthaa modified his original $9k SimLab rig into a space-efficient foldable design. The wheel and pedals detach, seat slides forward, and the entire unit tucks into a corner when not in use. Focus on "space efficiency" while maintaining direct drive capability.
[Historical Rig] Original SimLab Chassis Verified Legacy
The original 2021 build that cost approximately $9,000 total. Featured dedicated monitor stand, dual displays, and permanent placement. BlackPanthaa praised SimLab's after-sales support during the build process. Now modified into the current foldable configuration.
👀 Visuals & Display
[Main Monitor] Samsung Odyssey G9 49" [Buy] Verified Active
49-inch super ultrawide curved monitor. Previously ran dual monitors but consolidated to single G9 for space efficiency. Used for both sim racing and content creation.
[Work Monitors] Gigabyte 4K + Dell 1440p Verified Work Setup
Separate work monitor setup used with Mac Studio for video editing. The Dell side monitor is described as "10 years old" but still functional at 1440p/75Hz.
💻 PC & Production
[Gaming PC] RTX 4080 + Ryzen 9800X3D Verified Active
Dedicated gaming PC for sim racing on PC platform. Compact build with Gigabyte RTX 4080 (noted as tight fit in case) and AMD Ryzen 9800X3D with large tower cooler.
[Editing PC] Mac Studio M2 Max Verified Active
Switched to Mac ecosystem for content production. BlackPanthaa notes the M2 Max uses less power than a TV at full load while delivering exceptional video editing performance. Also owns identical M2 Max MacBook for mobile editing.
[Headphones] Turtle Beach Atlas Air Verified Active
Open-back wireless headphones from Turtle Beach. Used for both video editing (to hear room audio) and gaming sessions.
[Microphone] Rode Podcaster / Procaster Verified Active
Long-term broadcast microphone mounted on swivel arm. BlackPanthaa notes he can rotate and extend the arm to use the same mic for both desk work and sim rig streaming without needing a second microphone.
[Studio Monitors] Yamaha HS5 Verified Active
Industry-standard studio monitors for accurate audio monitoring during video editing and content production.
Full Hardware List
| Slot | Hardware | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase + Bundle | Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 (V) | $450 |
| Wheel Rim (Current) | VelocityOne F FRX Formula (V) | $250 |
| Pedals | Hall Effect (KD3 Bundle) (V) | Included |
| Wheel (Legacy) | Fanatec F1 Wheel (V) | $350 |
| Shifter + Handbrake | Sequential Shifter + Handbrake (V, Legacy) | $250 |
| Console | PS5 Pro (V) | $700 |
| Controller | Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra (V) | $200 |
| Rig | Custom Foldable SimLab (V) | $1,200 |
| Main Monitor | Samsung G9 49" (V) | $1,200 |
| Work Monitors | Gigabyte 4K + Dell 1440p (V) | $600 |
| Gaming PC | RTX 4080 + 9800X3D (V) | $2,000 |
| Editing PC | Mac Studio M2 Max (V) | $2,500 |
| Headphones | Turtle Beach Atlas Air (V) | $300 |
| Microphone | Rode Procaster (V) | $400 |
| Speakers | Yamaha HS5 (V) | $400 |
(V)=Verified via Video, (E)=Estimated. Prices are approximate and may not reflect current RRP.
Build This Spec
Turtle Beach Sim Setup
Use code BLACKPANTHAA for 10% off Turtle Beach products
The Hardware Journey
Built dedicated sim racing setup with SimLab chassis, dual monitors, Fanatec direct drive, F1 wheel, shifter + handbrake, and dedicated monitor stand. "MY NEW $9,000 Racing Simulator IS COMPLETE!" video documented the full build process. SimLab after-sales support was particularly praised.
Switched video editing workflow to Mac Studio M2 Max for power efficiency and rendering performance. Noted it uses "less power than a TV" while delivering professional editing capabilities.
"My favorite new wheel" – adopted the complete KD3 bundle ($449.99) with 3.2Nm direct drive motor, race wheel with magnetic shifters, hall effect pedals, and race management display. "Likely going to be my main wheel for the foreseeable."
Added formula-style wheel rim to KD3 base. "This is stunning" – 10x RGB switches, magnetic shifters, LED RPM dashboard, 5x rotary dials. "Expanding wheel collection to cover every motorsport."
After moving apartments, converted dedicated rig into foldable/roll-away design. Consolidated from dual monitors to single Samsung G9. Focus shifted to single workstation + modular rig for maximum space efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sim racing setup does BlackPanthaa use?
BlackPanthaa uses a Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 direct drive wheelbase (3.2Nm) with the VelocityOne F FRX Formula wheel upgrade. As he stated in his Sep 2025 video: "This honestly is my favorite new wheel... likely going to be my main wheel for the foreseeable." His rig is built on a modified SimLab chassis designed to fold for space efficiency, paired with a Samsung G9 49" ultrawide monitor.
How much does BlackPanthaa's sim rig cost?
BlackPanthaa's complete setup is estimated around $10,000, though he's accumulated gear over 10+ years. In his $30,000 setup video (2021), he emphasized: "Do not buy this stuff because I have it... this is stuff that I've accumulated over the last 10 probably 15 years." The Turtle Beach VelocityOne KD3 bundle alone is $449.99, with code BLACKPANTHAA for 10% off.
What was BlackPanthaa's previous rig before Turtle Beach?
Before his Turtle Beach partnership, Theo used a Fanatec DD2 direct drive wheelbase with a SimLab aluminum profile rig, which he documented in his "$9,000 Racing Simulator" series (Aug 2021). He also maintained a separate DriveClub-dedicated rig with a Thrustmaster TGT for PS4 compatibility. His earliest documented wheel was the Thrustmaster T300 RS from 2015.
Why did BlackPanthaa switch from Fanatec to Turtle Beach?
In his Nov 2025 "Downgrading" video, Theo explained his move toward a space-efficient, foldable setup: "I don't really want to again set up a whole rig with extra monitors just unnecessarily... I don't like having to upgrade everything twice every single time." The Turtle Beach ecosystem offers PC/Xbox compatibility with his content creation workflow.
Is BlackPanthaa a sim racer or arcade racing fan?
Theo is proudly an arcade racing specialist. In his iRacing Arcade video (Oct 2025), he stated: "I'm not a hardcore sim racer... I like arcade racing games usually because they're a heck of a lot more fun. You just blast around." His favorite game is DriveClub (2014), which he built a dedicated rig for in 2023.
What PC does BlackPanthaa use?
Theo runs a dual-machine setup: a gaming PC (RTX 4080 + Ryzen 9800X3D) for gameplay, and a Mac Studio M2 Max for editing. As he explained in his 2025 setup video: "This Mac Studio desktop... uses less power than my TV. It is mindboggling." His editing PC evolved from a 64-core Threadripper + RTX 3090 workstation documented in 2021.
How long has BlackPanthaa been on YouTube?
Theo has been creating content for over 10 years. In his 2021 setup video, he mentioned: "I've been on YouTube a long time and I always make sure to repurpose stuff." His earliest documented setup video dates to October 2015, showing a Thrustmaster T300 RS, Dell 1440p monitors, and Audio Technica AT2020 microphone.
📚 Sources & Verification
All hardware verified from BlackPanthaa's official YouTube videos. This profile documents 10 years of setup evolution from 2015 to 2025.
🎬 Primary Sources (2021-2025 Rig Era)
2026 setup tour: Velocity 1 Race KD3, Mac Studio M2 Max, foldable rig project, Samsung G9 ultrawide, Turtle Beach partnership details
Turtle Beach Velocity 1 Race KD3 reveal: 3.2Nm direct drive, $449.99, magnetic shifters, hall effect pedals, race management display
VelocityOne F FRX Formula Wheel upgrade: $249.99, 10 mechanical RGB switches, magnetic shifters, 5 rotary dials
Fanatec DD2 rig completion: SimLab chassis, Samsung Odyssey G7 32", first direct drive wheel experience, multi-platform testing
Fanatec DD2 build struggles: SimLab rig assembly, customs issues, monitor mount problems, first VR test
🎬 Secondary Sources (Studio & Legacy Setups)
Full studio tour: 64-core Threadripper + RTX 3090, dual Samsung ultrawides (since 2015), Road Procaster mic, Sennheiser headphones
DriveClub dedicated rig: Thrustmaster TGT for PS4 compatibility, T3PA-Pro metal pedals, separate setup for favorite game
Rig upgrades: Elgato Cam Link Pro (4 HDMI inputs), Wave XLR, wall mounts, dual camera setup
First apartment tour: Standing desk, moved out of parents, GTX 1080, foam panel installation, cable management
Earliest documented setup: GT Omega chair, Dell 1440p monitors, Thrustmaster T300 RS, Audio Technica AT2020, Sennheiser HD 558, i7-5820K + R9 295x2
💬 Key Quotes (Timestamped)
-
On his new wheel: "This honestly is my favorite new wheel... likely going to be my main wheel for the foreseeable."
— "NEW Favourite Wheel" @0:00 -
On direct drive requirements: "I use direct drive wheels and those use a lot of torque. They may snap something that is a little bit lighter."
— "Downgrading" @10:02 -
On buying advice: "Do not buy this stuff because I have it... this is stuff that I've accumulated over the last 10 probably 15 years."
— "$30,000 Setup" @0:44 -
On racing game preference: "I'm not a hardcore sim racer... I like arcade racing games usually because they're a heck of a lot more fun."
— "iRacing Arcade" @0:55 -
On Mac Studio efficiency: "This Mac Studio desktop... uses less power than my TV. It is mindboggling."
— "Downgrading" @2:40 -
On DriveClub obsession: "DriveClub is a game I've not been able to stop thinking about since 2014."
— "Built for ONE game" @0:15 -
On space efficiency: "I don't really want to again set up a whole rig with extra monitors just unnecessarily."
— "Downgrading" @7:35 -
On headphone philosophy: "Stop using your stupid gaming headsets... just one of the proper headphone brands."
— "$30,000 Setup" @3:12
✅ Verification Notes
- 10-year YouTube career: Earliest setup video from Oct 2015, accumulated gear over "10 probably 15 years" per his own statement
- Turtle Beach partnership: Official partner, code "BLACKPANTHAA" for 10% off, confirmed in multiple 2025 videos
- Wheel evolution: T300 RS (2015) → Fanatec DD2 (2021) → Turtle Beach VelocityOne KD3 (2025)
- DriveClub dedication: Built separate Thrustmaster TGT rig specifically for PS4 DriveClub compatibility (2023)
- Dual PC setup: Gaming PC (RTX 4080 + Ryzen 9800X3D) + Mac Studio M2 Max for editing
- Samsung ultrawide loyalty: Using Samsung G9 ultrawides since 2015, same monitors upgraded over time
- Audio philosophy: Consistently recommends proper headphones over gaming headsets; uses Road Procaster mic, Turtle Beach Atlas Airs (2025)
- Foldable rig project: 2025 focus on space efficiency - modified SimLab chassis with wheels for roll-in/roll-out capability