The Best PC Streaming Setup: Ultimate Guide.
If you’re into gaming and want to take it to the next level, streaming may be the way to go. While streaming is a great way to interact with the gaming community and show off your gaming skills, it’s important to have the right PC streaming setup. Sure, anyone can start streaming with just a laptop and a game console, but if you’re serious about your streaming career, you’ll need some good PC streaming equipment.
Maybe you’re just getting your feet wet as a streamer and you’re not sure what equipment you might need, or perhaps you’ve already got your setup more or less nailed down but you’re interested in improving it. Either way, this comprehensive guide to PC streaming equipment is sure to help you out. Whether you’re tight on budget or have a bit more money to work with, there’s something here for everyone. So sit back, relax, and let’s get started.
The Basics of PC Streaming
The very first thing to understand when looking at PC streaming equipment is the basics of streaming. While streaming a game, you’ll need two separate components: a capture card and encoding software. A capture card records your game footage directly from whatever console you’re using and delivers the video feed to your computer. Encoding software like OBS Studio, XSplit, or others take that video data and compress it for live streaming over the internet.
At its most basic, your streaming setup will also include a mic, headphones, and a good PC, but let’s take it up a few notches. Let’s look at each of these components in more detail and talk about how to optimize your streaming setup for the best quality and performance.
Capture Card
The capture card is an essential tool necessary for livestreaming quality video of your gameplay. As we said, it captures and records the video feed off of your gaming console into your computer and delivers it to the streaming software. There are typically two types of capture cards: internal and external.
Internal capture cards need to be installed into your PC’s motherboard, whereas external ones are not installed into your computer and can be used without any special setup. Internal capture cards offer better quality than external, but external capture cards are often cheaper and easier to use. As for which capture card brand to go with, there are lots of great options out there ranging from the budget-friendly AVerMedia to the more expensive Elgato.
Encoding Software
Encoding software is an essential part of the streaming setup. This type of software receives the video feed from your capture card, encodes the video for streaming, and then finally delivers it to streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. There are a few good free options out there, such as OBS Studio, but if you’re looking for more features, then you might want to consider buying something like XSplit or Wirecast.
The best PC streaming setup
Now that you’ve got the hardware and software basics out of the way, we can take a look at the best PC streaming setup. A good streaming setup should have the right mix of capture cards, encoding software, audio gear, and the right streaming PC. Here’s what you should look for.
For the Capture Card
If you’re looking for the very best, the Elgato HD60S internal capture card is tough to beat. It provides true 1080p HD quality video, low latency, and support for up to 4K/60fps resolutions. It also boasts one-click streaming straight from the card to Twitch, YouTube, and other streaming sites.
For the Encoding Software
For a comprehensive all-in-one streaming solution, XSplit is one of the best options. This software gives you all the features you need for both live streaming and video production. It includes transition effects, multiple scene previews, unlimited audio tracks, and more. It’s also widely supported, making it easy to integrate with your existing hardware.
For Audio
Good audio is essential for any successful stream, so investing in a good microphone, headphones, and audio interface is key. For the mic, consider an option like the Blue Yeti or the Shure SM7B. Both of these mics offer excellent sound quality, though the SM7B is a bit more expensive.
As for headphones, the AKG K702 or the Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro offer great quality and clarity at a reasonable price. Finally, for the audio interface, you’ll want something like Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which supports streaming from any device with a USB output.
For the Streaming PC
As for the streaming PC, you’ll want something that can handle the task of encoding, live streaming, and gaming. Consider a desktop PC with an Intel i7 processor, at least 16GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX graphics card. This setup has more than enough power to handle streaming and gaming at the same time and gives you plenty of room to upgrade should you need more power down the line.
Conclusion
Even if you’re just starting out, building the perfect PC streaming setup doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. By investing in the right capture card, encoding software, audio gear, and streaming PC, you can create a professional streaming setup that will give you great quality streams for years to come.
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