Asetek SimSports Review: La Prima vs. Forte vs. Invicta (2026)
Asetek keeps showing up as a passing mention on this site -- our sim racing dashboard guide lists it alongside Moza, Simagic and Fanatec as a base worth pairing with an in-house dash, and our Ascher Racing review names it as one of eight brands the F64-SC button box supports. But Asetek has never gotten its own breakdown on this site. Here's what its three wheelbases actually cost, what they leave out, and why the cheapest one isn't simply "less torque for less money."
Asetek by the Numbers
- 2000: the year Asetek was founded as a PC liquid-cooling company -- more than two decades before it built a wheelbase.
- 10 million+: all-in-one watercoolers Asetek has sold as an OEM cooling manufacturer, per the company's own figures.
- 2020: the year Asetek acquired Ultimate GameTech (UGT), seeding what became its sim racing division.
- 2021: Asetek SimSports launched -- and its first product was the hydraulic Invicta pedal set, not a wheelbase.
- 12 Nm to 27 Nm: the torque spread across the current La Prima, Forte and Invicta lineup.
- 180W vs. 400W: the power supply gap between La Prima and the pricier Forte and Invicta bases.
Asetek Wheelbase Lineup: Full Comparison
| Model | Peak Torque | Slew Rate | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Prima | 12 Nm | 4.0 Nm/ms | ~$750 base / ~$840 bundle (ex. VAT) | Budget entry with real torque, no LED feedback |
| Forte | 18 Nm | 6.4 Nm/ms | ~$800 base / ~$1,600 bundle (ex. VAT) | Mid-tier with ABS/TC LED feedback strips |
| Invicta | 27 Nm | 9.4 Nm/ms | ~$1,200 base / ~$1,998 bundle (excl. sales tax) | Highest torque ceiling, 6-strip LED feedback |
Prices reflect current retailer and brand-store listings rather than a single list price Asetek publishes outright, and most are quoted ex-VAT or excl. sales tax -- expect a U.S. checkout total higher than the sticker figure. Bundle contents and regional pricing shift, so confirm the live listing before buying.
The Naming Trap: Asetek Didn't Start With Wheelbases -- Or Even With Sim Racing
Asetek spent two decades as a PC liquid-cooling OEM, selling more than 10 million all-in-one watercoolers, before it ever touched sim racing. The pivot started in November 2020, when Asetek acquired Ultimate GameTech (UGT); the resulting division, Asetek SimSports, launched in 2021 with the hydraulic Invicta pedal set as its debut product -- not a wheelbase. La Prima, Forte and Invicta (the wheelbase, sharing a name with the pedals) all arrived afterward, built on that pedal-first reputation.
That history explains the lineup's real naming trap, which isn't a model-number mixup like Moza's R16-to-R16-Ultra swap or Simagic's Alpha-vs-Alpha-EVO split -- it's that the cheapest tier quietly drops a feature the other two share. La Prima's 12 Nm actually out-torques plenty of rivals' mid-tier bases (it beats Fanatec's CSL DD at 8 Nm and Moza's R5 bundle at 5.5 Nm outright), which makes it look like an obvious bargain on a torque-per-dollar spec sheet. But Asetek ships La Prima with a smaller 180W power supply instead of the 400W unit in Forte and Invicta, and it skips the RGB feedback strips entirely -- Forte's four strips and Invicta's six both flash for ABS, traction control and track-position warnings. The lower price buys less feedback hardware, not just less torque.
None of the three works on PlayStation or Xbox -- La Prima, Forte and Invicta are all PC-only, per Asetek's own listings. Console racers who want Asetek hardware need the separate, cheaper Initium line instead, sold under the brand's newer "Asetek Racing" name: an entry 5.5 Nm base ($349/€399) with Xbox support tied to an upcoming wheel update, plus a 10 Nm Initium DD10 (upgradeable to 14 Nm) targeting Xbox and PC support for Q4 2026. La Prima, Forte and Invicta sit in a separate, PC-only tier above that line.
Which Asetek Wheelbase Should You Actually Buy?
For most F1 fans building a first PC rig who already own a wheel to bolt on, La Prima at roughly $750 is the smart entry -- 12 Nm is enough to feel kerbs and tyre scrub, and the missing LED strips are a convenience you can live without. Step up to Forte if you specifically want ABS and traction-control feedback built into the base itself rather than relying on in-sim dashboards or a separate accessory like our sim racing dashboard guide covers. Only go Invicta if you want the brand's highest torque ceiling and the full six-strip feedback setup -- most racers will never need more than Forte provides for a full race stint. Console racers should skip this lineup entirely and look at Asetek's separate Initium base, or a console-licensed Fanatec or Moza bundle instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the catch with the Asetek La Prima wheelbase?
At 12 Nm, La Prima actually beats several rivals' mid-tier bases on raw torque for roughly $750 (base alone). The catch is what Asetek leaves out to hit that price: a smaller 180W power supply instead of the 400W unit in Forte and Invicta, and no RGB feedback strips at all, where both pricier tiers include LED strips that flash for ABS, traction control and track warnings.
Is Asetek the same company that makes CPU liquid coolers?
Yes. Asetek was founded in 2000 as a PC liquid-cooling OEM and has sold more than 10 million all-in-one watercoolers, per the company's own figures. It acquired Ultimate GameTech in November 2020 and launched its sim racing division, Asetek SimSports, in 2021 -- with hydraulic pedals, not a wheelbase, as its first product.
Does Asetek SimSports work with PS5 or Xbox?
No, not the La Prima, Forte or Invicta wheelbases -- all three are PC-only. Asetek's console play is a separate, cheaper line called Initium, sold under the rebranded "Asetek Racing" name: an entry 5.5 Nm base ($349/€399) with Xbox support tied to a future wheel update, plus a 10 Nm Initium DD10 (upgradeable to 14 Nm) targeting Xbox and PC for Q4 2026.
Who is Kevin Magnussen to Asetek SimSports?
Kevin Magnussen, the Danish Formula 1 driver, is an official brand ambassador for Asetek SimSports. Asetek has also developed Pagani-licensed sim racing products as part of its broader motorsport partnerships.
The Bottom Line
Asetek built its sim racing credibility on hydraulic pedals before it ever sold a wheelbase, and that engineering pedigree shows in how much torque La Prima packs for its price. But the lineup isn't a clean torque ladder -- La Prima trades away a bigger power supply and the LED feedback strips that Forte and Invicta both include, so compare more than the Nm number before you buy. Pair whichever base you choose with a rigid sim racing cockpit so chassis flex doesn't undercut the wheelbase's own precision, and see our direct drive wheel guide for how Asetek's torque figures stack up against Fanatec, Moza and Simagic.