The Ultimate Guide To PC Gaming Streaming Equipment.
Are you thinking of streaming your PC gaming experience? Well, you’re in luck! With the right streaming equipment, you can be broadcasting your gaming adventures in no time. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to the best PC gaming streaming equipment.
Whether you’re just starting out in the streaming world, or an experienced pro gamer, finding the right streaming setup for your needs can be a daunting task. Different PC gaming streaming equipment can be expensive and complicated, so you want to make the right decision for your setup.
With that in mind, we’ll take a look at the essential PC gaming streaming equipment and the tech specs you need to consider. Everything from capture cards and consoles, to monitors, headsets, and more. Let’s dive in!
PC Hardware
When it comes to streaming, you need reliable hardware. The type of hardware you have will determine the quality of your stream, and its ability to handle the extra stress of gaming and streaming at the same time.
Processor (CPU): Your processor (also known as a CPU) is the heart of your gaming PC and one of the primary determinates of its performance. A good streaming CPU will help you achieve higher frame rates without stutters or lags. Look for a decent mid-range processor that’s powerful enough to handle your games and streaming tasks.
Graphics Card (GPU): Your graphics card is responsible for generating the images you see on your PC. A dedicated graphics card is essential for pc gaming streaming, especially if you’re streaming in 4K. Look for a GPU from Nvidia or AMD with lots of memory and a decent core clock.
Motherboard: A good motherboard will ensure your processor, graphics card, and other components are compatible with each other. It’s also responsible for transferring data between your components and cooling your system with fans.
Random Access Memory (RAM): Your PC’s RAM is where your PC stores short-term data for quick access. You’ll need at least 8 GB of ram for regular gaming and streaming use. If you’re streaming in 4K, look for 16GB or more.
Storage: Storage is where you install your games and save your data. With solid-state drive (SSD) storage, your games and data can be accessed quickly, while a hard disk drive (HDD) will give you lots of cheap space for storage.
Cables and Adapters
Cables and adapters can help you connect your components together, while also providing power and data transfer.
DisplayPort Cable: This type of cable is commonly used to connect a PC to a monitor, so you can stream your games.
USB Cables and Hubs: You can use USB cables and hubs to connect your peripherals, such as keyboards, mouse, and game controllers, to your computer. A USB hub is like a mini switching station for your PC.
HDMI Cable: HDMI cables are used to connect your PC to an external display, such as a TV or monitor. HDMI also supports higher resolution than DisplayPort.
Capture Cards
Capture cards are essential for streaming PC games. They capture the video and audio from your PC and stream them to the viewer. This enables you to broadcast your entire screen without needing to use a webcam or capture any external feed.
HDMI Capture Card: HDMI capture cards are the most popular type of capture card. They’re usually small devices that plug into your computer via USB and will capture the HDMI signal that’s coming in. This type of capture card is great for gaming streams, as they capture both audio and video.
VGA Capture Card: VGA capture cards are an older technology that’s useful for older PCs. If you don’t have an HDMI port, then you’ll need a VGA capture card.
Capture Software
Capture software is essential for streaming and recording your PC gaming experience. There are plenty of options to choose from, so here are some of the best available:
OBS Studio: Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio is the most popular capture software for streaming PC games. It has lots of features, such as recording and streaming, live-editing, audio mixing, and more.
Streamlabs OBS: Streamlabs is a newer version of OBS with lots of additional features and options for streamers. It has a custom interface, multi-stream support, and more.
XSplit: XSplit is a powerful live streaming and recording program. It has lots of features, such as streaming to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. It also has a game capture feature that will capture any application running on your desktop.
Audio and Video Equipment
Having good audio and video equipment will make a huge difference in the quality of your streaming experience. Here are the essentials you’ll need.
Webcam: A webcam is essential for streaming PC gaming. You’ll need one that has a high enough resolution for your broadcast and a decent microphone for streaming audio as well.
Microphone: A good microphone will make a huge difference to the quality of your streams. A dedicated microphone will provide clearer and better sound than a webcam microphone, so look for one with a decent sample rate and frequency response.
Headset: A good headset is essential for gaming, streaming, and communication. Look for a headset with good sound quality, a comfortable fit, and a noise-canceling mic that won’t pick up your keyboard and mouse clicks.
Monitors: You’ll need at least one monitor for streaming. If you’re streaming in 4K, then you’ll need two monitors, or one monitor with high refresh rate and resolution.
Streaming Service
Your streaming service will determine where you’re able to broadcast your streams. Here are some of the most popular services:
Twitch: Twitch is the biggest streaming platform and is the go-to choice for most streamers. It’s free to use, although there’s an optional subscription for added features.
YouTube: YouTube is the second-largest streaming platform and it’s free to use. You can stream from your PC, or from a console, and you can even livestream pre-recorded content.
Mixer: Mixer has its own streaming suite that’s designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly. It has lots of features, such as audio mixing, co-streaming, and more.
Conclusion
That wraps up our ultimate guide to PC gaming streaming equipment. Now you know the different components you’ll need, along with the compatible cables and adapters, capture cards, capture software, audio and video equipment, and streaming service.
With this guide, you’ll be able to get the right setup for your needs and start streaming PC gaming like a pro in no time. Good luck!
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