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Are you looking to start streaming your PC gaming experience to the world? Or are you just looking to get a better streaming PC than your current rig? If this is the case, the streaming PCs below are what you should be considering. These streaming PCs are some of the best for live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Mixer, and more. They can either be used as a dedicated streaming PC or as a single PC streaming setup.
Many gamers think that a PC with a high-end GPU is a requirement for live streaming. However, the truth is that you don’t really need an extremely powerful GPU. The GPU is responsible for rendering the game or creating the image. It is the CPU which takes that rendered or created image and transcodes it into a video format to be streamed on the Internet.
Therefore, you need to have a computer with a powerful processor such as an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500 or better to give you a nice streaming output of 720p. However, if you want to stream at 1080p, then you need a PC with a processor of at least an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 1700.
Contents
- What Kind of PC Do You Need for Streaming?
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Best PCs for Streaming:
- Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer
- iBUYPOWER Trace2 9250 Gaming PC
- iBUYPOWER Elite Gaming PC
- CyberpowerPC Gamer Supreme Gaming PC
- Skytech Legacy Gaming Computer
- iBUYPOWER CB121A Gaming PC
- CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC
- MSI Infinite X Plus 9SF-270US Enthusiast Gaming PC
- SkyTech Prism Gaming PC
- CORSAIR ONE i160 Compact Gaming PC
What Kind of PC Do You Need for Streaming?
These pre-built gaming and streaming PCs are all capable of at least 720p while some can also stream fantastically at 1080p. They will also perform well when video editing, 3D rendering, or performing other computationally intensive tasks.
Moreover, they are optimized for DirectX 12 gaming with their Windows 10 OS. So, if you are looking to stream the most popular and demanding games such as Fortnite, PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), Escape From Tarkov, Overwatch, Battlefield V, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (Blackout), CSGO, and more look no further then the PCs below.
Streaming PCs (cheapest to most expensive in terms of value):
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Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer
A budget PC for streaming at a relatively cheap price
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 6G | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 500GB SSD
The Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer is a powerful prebuilt pc and a stylish computer that will provide you with enough power to handle any of your entertainment needs for most games.
Equipped with a powerful 6-core AMD Ryzen 3600 processor at 3.6GHz, this powerful PC can play and stream some of the most demanding games even at 1080p. The Skytech Archangel Gaming PC offers possibly the best price, performance, and value ratio on this list due to its low price and high-end components.
It boots up very quickly and its applications load much faster thanks to its 500GB SSD. It also features a GTX 1660 6G and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. Being well under the $1000 price point, this is simply a great choice for its price.
With its sleek, matte black finish and sharp angles, this dual streaming PC setup will look at home in any entertainment center.
The front panel is composed of black plastic and the top is covered with a screen-printed, laser-cut steel sheet. With such an incredible appearance, it’s no wonder why this rig won the prestigious Red Dot Award for outstanding design in 2012!
The Archangel contains some pretty impressive hardware to back up its stunning looks. The computer is powered by an Intel Core i5-3570K processor and 8GB of RAM.
These components will work together to provide your system with enough power for multimedia playback, gaming, and handling any other task you throw at it.
Features:
- Good for 720p and Ok for 1080p streaming
- Beautiful White RGB Tempered Glass Case
- Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Included
- 80 Plus Certified 500 Watt Power Supply
- 3 x 120mm RING RGB LED Fans
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iBUYPOWER Trace2 9250 Gaming PC
A beautiful streaming PC with excellent storage
CPU: Intel Core i7-9700F | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB video card | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 240GB SSD and 1TB HDD
iBUYPOWER Trace2 9250 Gaming PC features the latest in advanced processing and graphics technologies, plus innovative new gaming technologies and an amazing look & feel. The Trace2 is faster than ever with Intel’s newest 2nd generation Core i7 platform that delivers lightning-fast speeds.
The Trace2 9250 is built for gamers who demand the most from their PC. This powerful gaming desktop combines jaw-dropping graphics with preeminent audio to deliver a completely immersive gameplay experience.
This computer should be close to the top of your list if you are searching for a powerful live-streaming PC for under $1000. With a Ryzen 3600 processor and a very good GTX 1660 Ti 6GB graphics card from NVIDIA, this PC should handle most of your streaming requirements. You also have more leeway in terms of how many applications you can have running at once due to its 16GB of RAM. Moreover, there is ample storage with a 240GB SSD for quick loading of the OS and applications. There is also a 1TB HDD for storing your games and videos.
Features:
- Great for 720p and good for 1080p streaming
- No bloatware
- 16 Color ARGB lighting Tempered glass RGB Case
- Comes with a gaming mouse and keyboard
- 1 Year Parts & Labor + Free Lifetime us tech support
Read Related Topic: A Deep Dive Into HP Omen 880
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iBUYPOWER Elite Gaming PC
A powerful streaming PC for a reasonable price
CPU: Ryzen 7 3700 3.6GHz | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 6GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 250GB SSD and 1TB HDD
The iBUYPOWER Elite Gaming PC is a relatively cheap streaming PC that contains a Ryzen 3700 processor which is quite very good for streaming at 720p and 1080p. This PC can be used as a single pc streaming set up to produce good quality streams.
Though it would also make a good dedicated streaming pc. This PC also features a GTX 1660 6GB graphics card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 240GB SSD to go with a 1TB HDD. Lastly, its Ryzen 3600 processor can also be overclocked to perform as well as a Ryzen 3600x.
The iBUYPOWER Elite Gaming PC is your key to the future of gaming. Experience highly-immersive worlds, explore new horizons and become a part of that world with this prebuilt streaming PC.
With its high-performance memory, be sure to have the smoothest gameplay experience without any delays. This PC is perfect for gamers who are looking for an edge when it comes to their in-game experience and also need cheap streaming pcs.
Features:
- Great for 720p streaming and good for 1080p streaming
- Strong Ryzen 3000 processor for multitasking
- Tempered glass RGB Gaming Case
- Includes a gaming keyboard and mouse
- 1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty
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CyberpowerPC Gamer Supreme Gaming PC
A 1080p streaming PC for a good price
CPU: Intel Core i7-9700k 3.6GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce RTX 2070 8GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD
This PC provides great value for its price because it contains both an Intel Core i7-9700K processor and an RTX 2070 8GB graphics card. It also includes 16GB of RAM which is more than enough for streaming and a 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD for extremly fast storage and load times.
The aesthetically pleasing design of this PC is also a major pro. Moreover, the case of this PC features a tempered glass side panel. A mouse and keyboard are also included.
If you’re looking for an affordable and powerful gaming PC that’s full of features, the CyberpowerPC Gamer is a great choice.
Packed with impressive hardware and software, this pre-built desktop computer lets you play games seamlessly and also gives you the power to handle other tasks such as video and image editing.
It is a dual monitor setup that also comes with an amazing one-year warranty for parts and labor so you know your investment is protected.
This gaming desktop offers a range of hardware that lets you play even the most demanding games on maximum settings, including Crysis 3 and Battlefield 4.
Features:
- Great for 720p and very good for 1080p streaming
- Features a powerful processor and Z370 motherboard
- Liquid Cooled
- Quiet fans and tempered glass
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty + Free Lifetime Tech Support
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Skytech Legacy Gaming Computer
A beautiful and fast streaming computer for a decent price
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB | RAM: 16GB DDR4 3000MHz | Storage: 500GB SSD
The Skytech Legacy Gaming Computer offers a terrific price to performance ratio on this list. I say this because it features a Ryzen 7 3700X at 3.6GHz, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super graphics card with 8GB of VRAM, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM.
It also contains a 500GB SSD and comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse to boot. This PC has all the hardware and design features someone looking to get into live streaming would need to produce good quality streams.
The Skytech legacy gaming computer is the only way to go for avid gamers. If you are looking for an amazing, high-end gaming computer that can handle any game available on the market today, this is it.
The legacy was designed by professionals who have been in the business of building top-quality computers for years. They know exactly what gamers need when they want to win. The legacy is the ultimate in gaming systems.
It has a sleek matte black finish and a transparent side panel that allows you to see everything inside. It also comes in a variety of colors so you can choose the one that fits your personality best. Let’s have a look at some of these features.
Features:
- Great for 720p streaming and very good for 1080p streaming
- Strong Ryzen 3000 processor for multitasking
- 80 Plus Certified 800 Watt Gold Power Supply
- Liquid Cooling
- Beautiful case with RGB fans
- 1 Year parts & labor warranty plus free lifetime tech support
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iBUYPOWER CB121A Gaming PC
A powerful high-end PC for live streaming:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 3.8GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB video card | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 480GB SSD and 1TB HDD
This PC comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 3900X 3.8GHz processor paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB GPU. This allows it to run and stream the most demanding games. It has ample storage with a 480GB SSD and 1TB HDD which should make your computing experience a bit faster. The iBUYPOWER CB121A gaming PC also features a nicely designed case with a tempered glass panel. Lastly, its fans incorporate RGB lighting to further improve the aesthetic appeal of this PC.
Features:
- Fantastic for 720p and 1080p streaming
- Advanced 12-core 24-thread processor
- Includes a keyboard and RGB Gaming mouse
- Liquid cooling and RGB fans
- 1 Year Parts & Labor With Free Lifetime Tech Support
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CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC
A Powerful streaming PC with liquid cooling
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Super 8GB video card | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB PCI-E NVMe SSD
The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC has everything you need to step into the new world of Virtual Reality. Whether you are a beginner in the realm of virtual reality or just want to step up your game, this is the system for you.
Its system memory is 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which will allow you to easily run the most demanding games. The 1TB HDD provides plenty of storage space for your large library of games, or can even be used as a mass storage device.
This PC is powered by an amazing 8 core, 16 thread Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6GHz processor that is great for producing high-quality streams. The CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR also performs well on high to ultra settings when gaming.
This PC features an efficient liquid cooling system designed to maximize the CPU’s performance and improve longevity.
Moreover, it sports the latest NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super 8GB graphics card that delivers impressive visuals to make your games even more immersive. Aside from the high-end hardware, this PC also features a gaming keyboard and mouse, tempered glass side case panel, and custom RGB lighting.
Features:
- Fantastic for 720p and 1080p streaming
- 8-core 16-thread processor
- Ray tracing graphics card
- Intel Z390 Chipset
- Custom ARGB case Lighting and Liquid cooling
- 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty | Free Lifetime Tech Support
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MSI Infinite X Plus 9SF-270US Enthusiast Gaming PC
Optimized for the ultimate streaming experience
CPU: Intel i9-9900k 3.6GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Ventus 11G video card | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD and 2TB HDD
With the combination of an Intel i9-9900k 3.6GHz processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB graphics card, this PC can handle even the most demanding of streams.
Optimized for a stellar streaming and gaming experience, the Infinite X Plus 9SF-270US Enthusiast Gaming Desktop from MSI will allow you to stream at 1080p and higher bitrates if you so wish.
It also includes liquid cooling which keeps it cool even after hours of intense streaming/gaming. Overall, this is a great PC you can buy for a amazing streaming experience.
The MSI Infinite X Plus 9SF-270US Enthusiast Gaming PC is a powerful system for gamers and enthusiasts alike.
It’s based on the Intel Z170 chipset, featuring an LGA1151 socket to support sixth-generation (Skylake) Intel processors. These processors can be overclocked to achieve higher performance, making this a great value choice for those interested in pushing their system harder and faster.
Features:
- Fantastic for 720p and 1080p streaming
- 8-core 16-thread processor
- Ray tracing graphics card
- A beautiful tempered glass case
- Liquid cooling
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SkyTech Prism Gaming PC
PC built for streaming, 4k gaming, and multitasking
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB video card | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Storage: Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB
The SkyTech Prism is a powerful system that is excellent for streaming. It features an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Processor, Asrock X570 Taichi motherboard, and a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11GB graphics card for fantastic performance and visuals. Its 12 core 24 thread multitasking processor allows this PC to tackle the demanding streams, games, video editing, 3d rendering, and other computing tasks. But, the most amazing thing about this PC is its 32GB RAM.
The SkyTech Prism Gaming PC is a new generation gaming machine with a sleek black design. Not only does it look good, but the performance of this computer is top-notch, as well as budget-friendly. This gaming PC includes an AMD Ryzen 7 2700X Processor 8-Core 3.7 GHz as well as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Graphics Card.
Features:
- Fantastic for 720p and 1080p streaming
- 12-core 24-thread processor
- Ray tracing graphics card
- 32GB of DDR4 RAM for ample multitasking
- Skytech software controled ARGB 360mm AIO liquid cooler
- 80 Plus gold certified 750 Watt PSU
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CORSAIR ONE i160 Compact Gaming PC
Excellent streaming PC for 4k gaming, content creation, and more
CPU: Intel i9-9900k 3.6GHz | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Ventus 11G video card | RAM: 32GB DDR4 | Storage: 480GB SSD and 2TB HDD
The CORSAIR ONE i160 Compact can easily handle even the most demanding streams thanks to its powerful Intel i9-9900k processor. Running at speeds of up to 5GHz, this PC can also tackle the most demanding games and even other demanding tasks such as 4K video editing.
It features Corsair’s award-winning 32GB DDR4 memory along with ample storage including both an SSD and HDD.
The form factor of the PC is also very compact and takes up very little space. The RGB lighting of the PC can be customized via the CORSAIR iCUE software and synced to other CORSAIR iCUE compatible products. This PC also supports up to three 4K displays.
The i160 is a compact dedicated streaming PC that fits into the palm of your hand. You can connect everything by way of a single USB cable that also powers the system! It’s great for LAN parties thanks to its super small form factor. If you are looking for the best cheap streaming pc, this might be a great choice.
Features:
- Fantasic for 720p and 1080p streaming
- Advanced 8-core 16-thread processor
- Patented assisted convection liquid cooling system
- Supports 4K gaming
- Customizable RGB lighting
- 1 Year Parts & Lifetime Labor Warranty | Free Lifetime Tech Support
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How do I choose the best streaming PC?
If you have a powerful gaming PC and want to stream games, you have probably been wondering the same thing: “How do I choose the best streaming PC? It’s a common question that anyone asking has an upper midrange computer at least.
Here are factors to consider when choosing your streaming PC.
1. FPS stability
You need a steady framerate if you want a smooth streaming experience. If the framerate isn’t stable, then there may be stuttering when playing games which can lead to a bad viewing experience for viewers who watch your stream.
This is especially important when using software encoding methods since they require more resources from your computer in order to encode and will likely cause an unstable FPS even on high-end computers.
Hardware encoders like NVENC and QuickSync won’t benefit much from a high fps. Their performance will depend on other factors. However, hardware encoders are far less demanding when compared to software encoders.
2. Streaming limits
If your desktop computer is powerful enough to stream games, you may have run into Twitch’s upload limits for streaming. The current limit for 1080p 60fps streaming on twitch is 3500 kb/s. This means that if you are using software encoding methods, anything over this number will not be visible in the stream because it will go over the limit set by Twitch.
It is possible to go higher than this with a high-end PC but no single PC configuration can support more than 3500kb/s of throughput without encountering FPS instability or lower video quality due to insufficient resources (see 4).
If you want to go up to 6000kb/s then you should use a hardware encoder.
3. Shader detail
The amount of shaders available in PC games is increasing and so too must your streaming PC’s power in order to maintain decent quality while streaming recent titles or using it in play games.
For example, Witcher 3 requires 4096 shader units for max settings at 1080p 60fps with the highest preset selected in the Nvidia control panel (Nvidia Hairworks disabled), and Ghost Recon: Wildlands also takes up quite a few resources due to its extensive lighting effects and foliage rendering.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg and you will likely encounter other challenging games even if they don’t look as pretty graphically since they still take up a lot of resources from your computer when you play them in very high or ultra settings.
4. Video bitrate
This is the most important factor to consider amongst all of these since it will determine your streaming quality at every resolution. Twitch currently caps video bitrates at 3500 kb/s for 1080p 60fps.
The higher the bitrate, the better your stream’s quality can be when viewing at lower resolutions (720p or 480p) compared to streaming with inferior settings under the 3500 limit.
Bitrates over 3500 kb/s generally require hardware encoding methods so do not expect software encoders like OBS to support anything beyond their current without FPS instability issues mentioned earlier.
5. Personal preference
If you are just starting out streaming, then it’s recommended that you get a computer with an i7 K or equivalent to ensure maximum stream stability at 1080p 60fps.
If budget is not a concern for you and you want the best of the best in terms of performance, then go for an Intel Xeon E5 2687K processor. Otherwise, you can opt for the best cheap streaming pc with a lower budget but fits your needs.
The 8 cores beat any high-end i7 by more than 45% in multithreaded benchmarks (single-thread performance is irrelevant for streaming). It has much higher clock speeds when compared to other processors in general and will serve as a perfect match when paired with beefy graphics cards like Nvidia GTX 980 Ti.
It’s also unlocked so overclocking is easy and allows you to squeeze more performance from the chip which is great if budget is not a concern. However, even though multithreaded performance is very important for streaming since it directly affects your stream quality, single-thread performance may also be important depending on the game and whether or not you plan on using hardware or software encoding methods.
6. Stream resolution
This depends on your internet upload speed but assuming that you have at least 25mbps upload bandwidth available for streaming (with an upload speed of 30-40mbps being preferable), then 1080p 60fps should be completely adequate provided that your CPU has enough cores.
At lower than 25mbps Internet speeds, 720p @ 60fps can still work well for less taxing games all the way down to 10mbps but if you’re planning on streaming more demanding titles like Witcher 3 or Ghost Recon: Wildlands then stay away from 720p and go straight for 480p @ 30fps since it will be less taxing on your upload bandwidth and CPU/GPU.
7. Memory (RAM)
The more the better. At least 16GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM should suffice for 1080p 60fps streamers who only plan on streaming less resource-intensive games such as Overwatch or League of Legends.
Streamers who plan on streaming demanding games like Witcher 3 or Ghost Recon: Wildlands should go with at least 24Gb of DDR3 1600MHz if not 32Gb to ensure that they never encounter any stream hiccups.
8. Storage (HDD)
Not only is it important to have enough storage space for all your games, but it’s also important if you plan on streaming since certain games like Overwatch and League of Legends require quite a bit of disk space (~50gb or more).
You can have twice as much HDD space available as whatever the game requires since some people do install their OS onto the HDD which can take up several GBs per OS. If budget allows, then an SSD should be used as your primary drive (C:)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a gaming PC be used for streaming?
Yes, you can use a modern gaming computer. It’s important to note, though, that it’s not about the hardware in your PC. It’s about the software you will be using for streaming.
It will also be important to have a decent upload speed. A good rule of thumb for streaming while gaming is a minimum 1MB upload speed, but more is better if you want high-quality video and minimal lag.
How much RAM do I need for streaming?
For effective streaming, your PC needs 16 GB RAM. However, this may vary depending on the game you’re playing. For example, League of Legends is lighter than other games like Skyrim or Fallout 4, so it only requires 8 GB RAM to run fluidly at 60fps.
Wrapping it up
We hope that you found this list helpful. To learn more about what type of streaming PC and how to stream on platforms like twitch we recommend checking out The Ultimate Guide to Twitch Streaming on tomsguide.com.
Sources:
- https://www.corsair.com/corsairmedia/sys_master/productcontent/CorsairONE_QSG_English.pdf
- https://www.ibuypower.com/support/warranty