โก Current Setup at a Glance
| Component | Model / Spec | Metric | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Asetek Invicta 27Nm Verified | 27 Nm | ~$2,500 |
| Primary Wheel | Rexing Mayaris 2 Verified | GT-style | ~$1,200 |
| F1 Wheel | Sim-Lab Mercedes AMG F1 Patronus New Jun 2025 | Formula-style | ~$2,000 |
| Pedals | Heusinkveld Ultimate Verified | Load Cell | ~$1,200 |
| Cockpit | Trak Racer TR160 MK4 + Rally Seat Verified | Aluminum | ~$1,500 |
| Main Monitor | Samsung G7 32" Curved Verified | 32" 1440p | ~$400 |
| Top Monitor | AOC 32" Verified | 32" | ~$250 |
| Monitor Stand | Trak Racer Quad Stand (separate from rig) | Freestanding | ~$300 |
| PC | Ryzen 9 7950X + RTX 4090 Verified | High-end | ~$3,500 |
๐งฉ The "Frankenstein Setup" Philosophy
Unlike most sim racers who stick to one ecosystem (Fanatec-only, Simucube-only), Ben has deliberately built a multi-brand rig over 14 years, taking "the best of everything" from different manufacturers. This approach has been refined through countless upgrades, sponsorships, and testing โ resulting in a championship-winning combination.
"I've kind of taken the best of like everything almost... Every piece of peripheral is different. It's not all one ecosystem."โ Tiametmarduk on his multi-brand approach (2025 Setup Tour)
"This is the rig, this is the setup that I won Creator Series in twice this year. It's absolutely incredible."โ On his 2ร Creator Series championship wins
This philosophy has led Ben through Thrustmaster โ Fanatec โ Asetek wheelbases, plastic โ load cell pedals, and lounge room โ wheel stand โ dedicated cockpit over more than a decade. The key insight: don't be loyal to brands โ be loyal to performance.
๐น๏ธ Core Driving Controls
[Wheelbase] Asetek Invicta 27Nm [Buy] Verified Active
Ben switched from Fanatec DD1 Podium in December 2023. He rates Asetek "on par with Simucube" and considers them underrated in the sim racing community. The 27Nm of torque is his "endgame" โ enough to break your hand if you're not careful. Ben started winning competitive races immediately after the switch.
[Pedals] Heusinkveld Ultimate [Buy] Verified Active
Ben upgraded from Fanatec V3 Load Cell pedals around 2022-2023. The Heusinkveld Ultimates transformed his consistency immediately โ winning every competitive race in his first week with them. He's considering active pedals in the future but notes "it's a lot of money." Pro tip: Ben uses Moradness Sim Racing Socks instead of shoes โ "the best socks for sim racing."
[Wheel] Rexing Mayaris 2 Verified Primary
Formula-style wheel that Ben uses for all F1 content. Features custom SimHub dashboards in his signature purple color scheme matching his Mik Motorsport livery. The customizable display shows tire temps, lap times, and other telemetry Ben relies on during competitive races.
[Wheel] Sim-Lab Mercedes AMG F1 Patronus New Jun 2025 NEW
Ben's newest addition โ a 1:1 replica of the Mercedes W16 wheel used by Kimi Antonelli and George Russell in the 2025 F1 season. Uses the same CAD data Mercedes uses for the real wheel. Full carbon fiber construction, 6 Greyhill rotary encoders, and a 4.3" SimHub-compatible display. Ben notes the Greyhill switches require significant force to turn โ "you're going to need gloves."
๐ช Cockpit & Displays
[Cockpit] Trak Racer TR160 MK4 + Rally Seat [Buy] Verified Since 2021
Ben's first dedicated cockpit, purchased when he moved to the UK with partner Carla in 2021. Started with the Mk2 model and has since upgraded to the MK4. The Rally Seat is his preference over GT-style buckets โ "it's so comfortable, really wraps you in." Original purchase was ยฃ1,403. Ben emphasizes that a solid rig is the #3 priority after PC and wheel/pedals.
[Display] Samsung G7 32" + AOC 32" Verified Dual Setup
Ben runs a dual-monitor setup rather than triples or VR. The Samsung G7 32" curved is the main gaming display, with an AOC 32" positioned above for Twitch chat and overlays. Pro tip from Ben: the monitor stand is separate from the rig โ "you don't get the vibrations from the wheelbase shaking your monitors."
๐ Secondary Review Rig
[Secondary] NLR Wheel Stand 2.0 + Thrustmaster T598 Review Rig
Ben's secondary workstation for testing and reviewing different hardware brands while still recording content on his main rig. The wheel stand setup allows him to quickly swap in equipment from Fanatec, Moza, Simagic, and others without disrupting his championship-winning main setup.
๐ป PC & Audio/Camera
[PC] Ryzen 9 7950X + RTX 4090 Verified Current
High-end gaming PC capable of handling F1 games, iRacing, and simultaneous streaming without frame drops. The RTX 4090 provides headroom for future titles and potential VR upgrades.
[Audio] Dual Mic Setup (Rode + Elgato) Verified Creator
Ben runs two microphones โ one at the rig and one at his desk โ to maintain audio quality regardless of where he's recording. The GoXLR Mini provides 5-6 separate audio tracks for post-production editing. He prefers open-back headphones: "I hate closed-back."
[Camera] Sony A7S III + ZV-E10 Verified Creator
Professional-grade camera setup for YouTube content creation. The Sony A7S III is mounted with an Elgato Prompter (which doubles as a third monitor). The ZV-E10 serves as his "endgame webcam." A Logitech Brio is available for pedal cam but rarely used โ magnet-mounted for quick repositioning.
๐ข Desk Setup
[Desk] Herman Miller Embody + IKEA Verified Office
Separate from the sim rig, Ben has a dedicated desk for editing, Discord, and casual gaming. The Herman Miller ร Logitech G Embody is his chair of choice โ "absolutely love this chair โ amazing, soft, comfortable." The desk itself is IKEA Linnmon (2m wide) with Alex Drawers for storage.
๐ 12-Year Hardware Evolution
From a Mad Catz wheel balanced on his lap with pedals held by a marble chessboard to an endgame Asetek setup in a dedicated office โ Ben's journey is one of the most documented in sim racing. Here's the complete timeline from 8 source videos.
Mad Catz MC2 wheel sitting on his lap in the family lounge room. Pedals held in place by a marble chessboard. Blue Snowball microphone. Xbox 360 with Elgato capture card. "I pretty much I think I'm the only person who really has a gaming setup in a lounge room... people who play Xbox with me will know they can hear just about everything that goes on in my house." This humble beginning launched his YouTube channel, which would eventually reach 1M+ subscribers.
Fanatec CSR wheel + wheel stand. Moved setup into his bedroom for more privacy. First experience with proper force feedback โ "I almost fell in love with it... it's a very good wheel but in terms of F1 it's been very tough to adjust. The force feedback is very strong." Still using Mad Catz pedals initially. Documented in 25K subscriber setup tour.
Thrustmaster T500 RS (signed by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Rรคikkรถnen at Australian GP), later upgraded to TS-PC Racer after trying David Greco's setup at F1 2017 pre-alpha testing. T3PA pedals. Two 21" monitors. Rode Podcaster microphone. "I first used this wheel back in February when I went for pre-alpha testing for F1 2017. David Greco invited me over to his house and I tried out his setup... man it was something else."
Fanatec DD1 Podium wheelbase with V3 Load Cell pedals. Trak Racer TR160 Mk2 cockpit with Rally Seat โ his first proper sim rig (ยฃ1,403). Moved to UK with partner Carla, purchased a house, and finally got a dedicated sim room. "I wish I would have got a sim rig years earlier... behind a good PC, a good wheel and pedals, sim rig has to be number three on the list. It gives you confidence and consistency."
Major ecosystem change: switched from Fanatec to Asetek Invicta 27Nm. Upgraded pedals to Heusinkveld Ultimate [Buy โ]. Started winning competitive races immediately โ "Bye-bye Fanatec, hello Asetek... the feeling is unbelievably different to what I'm used to." Ben credits this combination with his Creator Series championship wins.
Asetek Invicta 27Nm [Buy โ] + Rexing Mayaris 2 + Heusinkveld Ultimate [Buy โ] + Trak Racer TR160 MK4. 2ร Creator Series champion. Secondary review rig added. New Sim-Lab Mercedes F1 Patronus wheel (June 2025). "This is my endgame... I don't need to upgrade. The wheelbase, the wheel, the pedals โ all endgame."
๐ Complete Hardware Timeline
| Year | Wheelbase | Pedals | Rig / Setup | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mad Catz MC2 | MC2 (plastic) | Lounge room, on chessboard | โ |
| 2013 | Mad Catz MC2 | MC2 | Lounge room | 5K Video |
| 2014 | Fanatec CSR | Fanatec CSR | Wheel stand, bedroom | 25K Video |
| 2017 | Thrustmaster T500 RS* | T3PA | Desk mount, 2ร 21" | Room Tour |
| 2017 | Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer | T3PA | Wheel stand | Unboxing |
| 2021 | Fanatec DD1 Podium | V3 Load Cell | Trak Racer TR160 Mk2 | TR160 Video |
| 2023 | Asetek Invicta 27Nm | Heusinkveld Ultimate | TR160 (upgraded) | Switch Video |
| 2025 | Asetek Invicta 27Nm | Heusinkveld Ultimate | TR160 MK4 + Rally Seat | 2025 Tour |
| Jun 2025 | ๐ + Sim-Lab Mercedes AMG F1 Patronus wheel (1:1 W16 replica) | New Wheel | ||
*T500 RS signed by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Rรคikkรถnen at Australian GP
๐ช The Sim Room
Location: Ben and partner Carla have been UK homeowners for 18+ months (as of 2025). The dedicated sim room/office houses both his main rig and secondary review setup, with space for content creation equipment. Originally from Queensland, Australia, Ben made the move to the UK to be with Carla.
Room Setup: Green screen wall-mounted for streaming. Approximately 40 acoustic foam panels for sound treatment. Govee floor lamp controlled via Stream Deck for ambient lighting during streams. Cable management throughout with dedicated power circuits for PC and peripherals.
Memorabilia: 100K YouTube subscriber plaque, mini F1 helmets collection, Ferrari 458 picture (dream car reference), unfinished McLaren F1 Lego set (started 2022), and a personal message from Lando Norris received during COVID lockdown.
Future Plans: Ben has mentioned wanting to add wood paneling with LED strip accents, floating shelves to display his wheel collection (including the Vettel/Rรคikkรถnen-signed T500 RS), a second PC dedicated to the review rig, and a black rug to complete the aesthetic. Long-term, he's considering active pedals if the price becomes more reasonable.
๐ Ben's Recommended Upgrade Path
Based on Ben's 12 years of experience and countless upgrades, here's his recommended progression for new sim racers:
Beginner (~$500)
Entry Thrustmaster or Logitech wheel. Office chair is fine. "Just get something and start playing โ you'll figure out what you need as you go."
Intermediate (~$2,000)
Upgrade pedals FIRST โ load cell makes the biggest difference to lap times. "When I put the Heusinkveld on, I won every race that week."
Advanced (~$5,000)
Get a proper cockpit. Changes everything โ "I wish I would have got a sim rig years earlier." Confidence and consistency improve dramatically.
Endgame (~$10,000+) โ Ben's Current Level
High-torque direct drive (Asetek/Simucube), premium pedals (Heusinkveld), quality cockpit (Trak Racer/Sim Lab). "This is my endgame."
๐ฐ Cost to Copy Ben's Setup
Main Sim Rig
Full Content Creator Setup
Prices are estimates based on current retail. Use code 'Ben' for 5% off at Asetek.
โ Tiametmarduk Setup FAQ
What sim rig does Tiametmarduk use?
What wheel does Tiametmarduk use?
What wheelbase did Tiametmarduk switch from?
What was Tiametmarduk's first wheel?
How much does Tiametmarduk's setup cost?
Does Ben have a second rig?
What pedals does Tiametmarduk recommend?
Why does Ben use a separate monitor stand?
Where is Tiametmarduk from?
๐ Sources & Verification
Tier 1: Setup Tours & Equipment Reveals (Direct Documentation)
- โข "Building a DUAL Sim Rig Setup for F1 - My 2025 Setup Tour" (Jan 2025, 52K views) โ Complete equipment list, "endgame" declaration, Frankenstein philosophy
- โข "MY NEW WHEEL IS INSANE" (Jun 2025, 139K views) โ Sim-Lab Mercedes AMG F1 Patronus 1:1 replica wheel reveal
- โข "I GOT A NEW WHEEL - F1 23 Four Player Career Round 3" (Dec 2023, 51K views) โ Fanatec to Asetek switch: "bye-bye Fanatec, hello Asetek"
- โข "MY NEW SIM RIG - Trak Racer TR160 Mach 2 Unboxing" (Aug 2021, 183K views) โ TR160 build, ยฃ1,403 total cost, "endgame rig"
- โข "MY NEW RACING WHEEL (Unboxing)" (Sep 2017, 210K views) โ Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer, first used at David Greco's for F1 2017 pre-alpha
Tier 2: Historical Room Tours (Equipment Evolution)
- โข "2017 Gaming Setup/Room Tour" (Mar 2017, 90K views) โ Thrustmaster TX + F1 add-on, Road Podcaster mic, dual 21" monitors
- โข "25K Room Tour/Setup Video" (Apr 2014, 57K views) โ Fanatec CSR wheel, Wheel Stand Pro, moved from lounge to bedroom
- โข "5K Setup Video!" (Jul 2013, 7K views) โ Mad Catz MC2 on lap, marble chessboard pedal stopper, lounge room setup
Key Verified Quotes (with Timestamps)
- โข Frankenstein Philosophy: "Every piece of peripheral is different. It's not all one ecosystem. I've kind of taken the best of like everything almost." โ 2025 Setup Tour @12:32
- โข Heusinkveld Impact: "When I put these bad boys on about two years ago, I won every single race that I did that week โ and they were all competitive races." โ 2025 Setup Tour @12:48
- โข Endgame Declaration: "This is literally endgame. Rig is endgame, steering wheel is endgame, wheelbase is endgame. I don't need to upgrade." โ 2025 Setup Tour @13:13
- โข 14-Year Journey: "This has taken 14 years of accumulation of various parts and setup and working with different partners." โ 2025 Setup Tour @14:00
- โข Asetek Switch: "Bye-bye Fanatec, hello Asetek... the feeling is unbelievably different to what I'm used to." โ F1 23 Four Player Career Dec 2023
- โข TR160 Value: "I have absolutely no intentions of getting rid of this... This is the end goal for me." โ TR160 Unboxing @26:39