Thrustmaster T598 vs T300RS GT: Is Direct Drive Worth the Jump?
The T598 is direct drive, which means the rim is mounted straight onto the motor with no belt or gears in between, and the T300RS GT is belt driven. That removes a filter between the car and your hands, and it is the most noticeable single upgrade in sim racing after a load cell brake. At current prices the T598 is often no more expensive than the T300RS GT, which makes this an easy decision.
At a glance
| Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) | Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | Direct drive, axial flux motor | Belt driven, brushless motor |
| Peak torque | 5 Nm | Roughly 3.9 Nm |
| Detail resolution | Higher, nothing between motor and rim | Belt absorbs small high frequency detail |
| Pedals supplied | Magnetic contactless pedal set | T3PA potentiometer pedal set |
| Mounting | Benefits strongly from a rigid mount | Tolerates a desk clamp |
| Noise | Quiet, no belt or gear noise | Audible belt and cooling fan |
Choose the Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) if…
Buy the T598 unless the price gap is large. Direct drive changes what you can feel, not just how hard the wheel pulls. The small vibrations that tell you the front tyres are about to let go are exactly the ones a belt absorbs, so a 5 Nm direct drive wheel can be more informative than a stronger belt wheel. The magnetic pedals also remove the potentiometer wear that eventually makes a cheap pedal set inconsistent.
Check Thrustmaster T598 (PS5, PS4, PC) on Amazon
Choose the Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) if…
Buy the T300RS GT if you find it substantially discounted, if you already own Thrustmaster rims that you know work with it, or if your rig is a desk clamp and will stay one. A direct drive base wants a rigid mount to be worth having, and on a flexing desk some of the extra detail is lost in the desk rather than delivered to your hands. In that situation the cheaper belt wheel is the more honest purchase.
Check Thrustmaster T300RS GT (PS5, PS4, PC) on Amazon
We also have full reviews of each: Thrustmaster T598 review and Thrustmaster T300RS GT review.
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 Nm enough for direct drive to be worth it?
Yes. The common mistake is to read direct drive as a strength upgrade when it is mostly a resolution upgrade. Removing the belt removes a low pass filter, so a 5 Nm direct drive base communicates the moment of grip loss more clearly than a 4 Nm belt base does, even though the peak forces are similar. Most drivers also run high torque bases well below their maximum anyway.
Does a direct drive wheel need a cockpit?
It needs a rigid mount, which is not quite the same thing. A heavy desk with a good clamp can work at 5 Nm. What does not work is a light desk that visibly moves, because the movement you feel is then the desk and not the car. Above roughly 8 Nm a proper stand or cockpit stops being optional.
Are the magnetic pedals a real advantage?
Over time, yes. A potentiometer works by a wiper sliding along a resistive track, and that track wears, which shows up as a jittery input or a dead spot years later. Magnetic sensing has no contact and no wear. It does not make you faster on day one, but it is why the pedal set is likely to outlast the wheelbase.
Do older Thrustmaster rims fit the T598?
Not directly, since the T598 uses a different wheel attachment from the older belt driven bases. Confirm compatibility for the specific rim rather than assuming it carries over, because rims are expensive and this is the sort of ecosystem break that turns a cheap upgrade into an expensive one.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, documented torque and travel figures, and verified owner reviews. We do not test gear in person. Everything here is researched guidance, not professional installation advice. Direct drive wheelbases produce enough torque to injure a wrist, and rig hardware carries real weight, so follow the manufacturer's mounting and torque limits.
Planning your own rig on paper first? The Sim Rig Build Planner is the paid version of these pages: 8 printable worksheets you fill in with your own numbers, plus the full PDF, $29.