Fanatec GT DD Pro vs Thrustmaster T598: direct drive on PS5
If you play on PS5 and want direct drive, these are the two options in our comparison. The T598 has the lower official price and 5 Nm of constant torque; the GT DD Pro starts at 5 Nm peak, but it can reach 8 with a separate kit and has more rotation. We would pick the T598 to spend less and the Fanatec if you plan to keep expanding.
Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm)
Who it is for: If you plan to expand: moving up to 8 Nm, adding a load cell and entering Fanatec's rim range.
Thrustmaster T598
Who it is for: To spend less on a base that already gives 5 Nm constant, or if you also want an Xbox option.
The specs side by side
| Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm) | Thrustmaster T598 | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Direct drive | Direct drive |
| Force (torque) | 5 Nm | 5 Nm |
| Rotation | 2520° | 1080° |
| Works on | PlayStation, PC | PlayStation, Xbox, PC (Xbox as a separate version) |
| Pedals | CSL Pedals, two pedals (2) | Raceline LTE, two magnetic pedals (2) |
| Load cell brake | Can be added | Can be added |
| Rim | Rubber grip | Rubber grips |
| Display and lights | OLED display and RPM lights | Race Dash screen |
| Base weight | not published | not published |
| Software | not published | not published |
In bold, what differs between the two. Figures from each manufacturer's official sheet; "not published" means the brand does not give it. We do not show prices because they change every week.
The same 5, written differently
Fanatec states 5 Nm peak on the GT DD Pro, and 8 if you add the Boost Kit 180, sold separately. Thrustmaster states 5 Nm constant on the T598, with an overshoot of up to double in short effects. That is why they are not equal even though the table shows the same number, and why you should not compare forces without reading which torque each brand means.
The brakes
Both come with two contactless-sensor pedals, and both can grow. The Fanatec ones are steel and accept a clutch kit or a load cell kit, both sold separately, and the second is what really changes how you brake. Thrustmaster's Raceline LTE come with interchangeable springs and their third-pedal load cell kit is listed as available soon, so check whether it is on sale yet.
Licences, rims and display
Both have a PlayStation licence and work on PC, but only the T598 has an Xbox version, which is a separate product. The Fanatec has a QR2 quick release and an OLED display with RPM lights on a 28 cm rim; the Thrustmaster has its Race Dash screen, a 30 cm rim and access to its rim range, though it warns that some need an adapter. Choosing a base also means choosing the brand of your next rims.