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Building second PC for streaming ( dedicated streaming)

13K views 95 replies 9 participants last post by  karrrambaa 
#1 ·
Hello everyone. I m thinkin about dedicated streaming. Only games.

I searched some information about it, but now have some questions
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. I want to stream in 1080p 60fps quality, but will take advices also for 720p 60fps, it will depend on how much will be difference in price between those builds.
I found that possible ways are:
1) AMD cpu with built-in gpu
2) Intel cpu + nvidia gpu
3) intel cpu + capture card

Which one of those ways is the best, and which models i should take for it.

( On my gaming PC i usually have 180+ fps at any time. GPU and CPU loads never go higher than 65%-70% in any game. I mostly play in FPS games on LOW graphic preset. The reason why i dont want to stream from my PC, is - i want to avoid input lag from this process at all, because of that i want to build second PC. Unfortunatelly i cant exactly say which programs i ll use to do it yet, but will take your advice if you say something about that too. I only tried to use shadowplay, and will not use it for sure, because of lack customization)

Very need your help with this decision.
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#2 ·
Hey man,

Personally from what I've read, I would probably recommend option 2, as OBS (a widely recommended and free streaming program) has the option for Dual PC streaming without the capture card. I stream with PS4 to PC via capcard so wouldn't be able to tell you much more but if you're going to be using the second PC for streaming only, I've seen many people handle it with just a beefy CPU and complete midrange GPU as CPU can handle it mostly fine.

Sometimes I use my Xeon to run Overwatch on PC at max settings on 3440x1440 and stream at 720@60 with no noticeable difference and the stream comes through clear and smooth so a lot of it comes down to what games you plan on playing also.
 
#4 ·
I think one of those GPU's would likely be fine, I mean when I do Overwatch on PC (It's the only game I stream on PC - the rest is on PS4) I only have an AMD RX480 and it goes just fine like I mentioned above. And yeah I stream and play on the Same PC.

Others might have more insight, but if this second PC is for Streaming only you could try getting it with just a strong i7 and use it's onboard GPU to run windows etc. Then in the software set it to CPU encoding and it could possibly save you some money as you wouldn't need the GPU.

I know THIS thread is a bit old but they do briefly state that most Intel igpu can handle this fine and could save you some cash in the long run.
 
#5 ·
Yea i checked this thread. The only thing i'm doubt about that, is - that thread 2014 year. But in newer thread, cant provide the link unfortunatelly now, people say that AMD built in gpu is better than Intel built in gpu a lot. Although dont remember it was enough for 1080p 60 fps quality, or not.
 
#6 ·
if u'r game run at 180FPS at 70% GPU usage and u want to avoid CPU input lag use u'r GPU decoder to do it...
if u have a GTX 10 or AMD 470+ u should see a minimal performance hit if any.
my GTX1060 see about 3% higher GPU usage when im decoding on it at 1080P 60FPS.

its free, try it.

if u go with dedicated stream PC u just need a strong CPU as u will decode with X264 and u need a capture card any way to get the signal from the gaming PC.
if u get a capture card some already have a decoder in them so u dont need a strong PC.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for reply, idanp. Can you give some examples of such decoders. Did i understood right it is something like NVIDIA Video Codec SDK or Cuda toolkit? And such tool will not add input lag to my pc at all? Sounds really confusing to me. And if you tried building a second PC too, which CPU will be enough to decode 1080p 60 fps. And, another question, why you didnt mention ability to decode with built-in gpu - i mean intel or amd gpu. Or you tried such way, and it performed bad? Sorry for lots of questions but trying to figure out important information about all of that.
 
#9 ·
A capture card isn't going to do anything for you if you're streaming and gaming on the same PC. In this instance, I recommend getting a CPU with as many cores/threads as you can afford. You should be able to manage CPU load by assigning core affinity to each application. Then you shouldn't have to worry about your broadcast software stealing resources your game sorely needs.
 
#10 ·
idanp, if you mean shadowplay, i mentioned that i tried it before and dont want to use, because it has lack of customization, and also sometimes stream interrupts a bit on 1080p 60p, even though i have no packet loss and 150mb speed connection, and high enough bitrate was choosen, just randoms stops, dont know why. Just thought there are some other options. About obs yea i saw some info about this program, but will go deeper about it after i will build second pc. Can you answer some following questions in my previous answer? )
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by chessmyantidrug View Post

A capture card isn't going to do anything for you if you're streaming and gaming on the same PC. In this instance, I recommend getting a CPU with as many cores/threads as you can afford. You should be able to manage CPU load by assigning core affinity to each application. Then you shouldn't have to worry about your broadcast software stealing resources your game sorely needs.
hey chessmyantidrug, as i typed, i m thinking about building Second PC, so capture card can be in second one only )
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by karrrambaa View Post

idanp, if you mean shadowplay, i mentioned that i tried it before and dont want to use, because it has lack of customization, and also sometimes stream interrupts a bit on 1080p 60p, even though i have no packet loss and 150mb speed connection, and high enough bitrate was choosen, just randoms stops, dont know why. Just thought there are some other options. About obs yea i saw some info about this program, but will go deeper about it after i will build second pc. Can you answer some following questions in my previous answer? )
then try OBS with NVENC.
 
#14 ·
If you want a 2nd PC to stream you will need a capture card and 2nd monitor.
You do not need a powerful GPU, but do need a strong i7 8700 or Ryzen 1700 and 16gb+ mem
This will allow you to have a stable system to handle stress load
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp33d Junki3 View Post

If you want a 2nd PC to stream you will need a capture card and 2nd monitor.
You do not need a powerful GPU, but do need a strong i7 8700 or Ryzen 1700 and 16gb+ mem
This will allow you to have a stable system to handle stress load
hey sp33d Junki3. Isnt it much more powered than i needed, saw peoples typing about streaming with much cheaper cpu and having no problems. i7-8700 + 16gb memory looks like super overpowered to stream only. Also do you know why no one here still didnt mention about using built in GPU in intel or amd chipset. Cause as i understood you mean to buy i7-8700k/ Ryzen 1700 + some cheap gpu like 6xx or 7xx series.
 
#16 ·
Ryzen doesn't have integrated graphics yet. Their APUs that will have integrated graphics are slated to release early next year, likely Q1.

Here is a great article detailing hardware requirements for streaming with a single or dual PC setup.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by chessmyantidrug View Post

Ryzen doesn't have integrated graphics yet. Their APUs that will have integrated graphics are slated to release early next year, likely Q1.

Here is a great article detailing hardware requirements for streaming with a single or dual PC setup.
chessmyantidrug,thanks for this link a lot! viewing it deeper right now.
I have a Question after reading part of that guide.

Is it possible to use cheap gtx 6xx or 7xx for example instead of capture card in second PC?
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by karrrambaa View Post

chessmyantidrug,thanks for this link a lot! viewing it deeper right now.
I have a Question after reading part of that guide.

Is it possible to use cheap gtx 6xx or 7xx for example instead of capture card in second PC?
Ryzen has no igpu. With higher stream quality, you will use more CPU power, but you want smoother stream.
I didnt mean you need a K series at all. you wont be OC.
Reason I mention i7/Ryzen 7 to have the option to do more later on. That is me, just to be sure streaming wont be an issue.

Best option is the i5-8400 (under $190), no less than 8gb ram and an small SSD for OS. Also add a HDD for recording.

A few ways to do this, Capture card is the best option less hassle to setup.
Other is through network with nginx Server (need to have good ISP, router and network)
 
#19 ·
Just use OBS with NVENC, my GTX680 was more than adequate, my friend uses his 1060, and as I understand Radeon cards are more than capable as well with their GPU encoding options. If you are okay with used parts, you can pick up a decent board, i5, 16GB RAM (doesn't matter for DDR3/DDR4, my 4690k was good with playing games), a decent cooler, and make sure your OC is completely stable. You don't want a crash in the middle of your stream. This will let you get a decent rig for streaming, have great quality, and not be too expensive.
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp33d Junki3 View Post

Ryzen has no igpu. With higher stream quality, you will use more CPU power, but you want smoother stream.
I didnt mean you need a K series at all. you wont be OC.
Reason I mention i7/Ryzen 7 to have the option to do more later on. That is me, just to be sure streaming wont be an issue.

Best option is the i5-8400 (under $190), no less than 8gb ram and an small SSD for OS. Also add a HDD for recording.

A few ways to do this, Capture card is the best option less hassle to setup.
Other is through network with nginx Server (need to have good ISP, router and network)
Thanks for mentiong that. Looking at that build. But still didnt get one thing sorry, capture card only, or gpu instead of capture card is possible too( Just setupping capture card will be easier) ?
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcEsSalvation View Post

Just use OBS with NVENC, my GTX680 was more than adequate, my friend uses his 1060, and as I understand Radeon cards are more than capable as well with their GPU encoding options. If you are okay with used parts, you can pick up a decent board, i5, 16GB RAM (doesn't matter for DDR3/DDR4, my 4690k was good with playing games), a decent cooler, and make sure your OC is completely stable. You don't want a crash in the middle of your stream. This will let you get a decent rig for streaming, have great quality, and not be too expensive.
hello Acessalvation, do you mean those gtx card models for single streaming setup or for double pc streaming setup?
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by AcEsSalvation View Post

Single. There really isn't a point to a second streaming machine for you.
Care to explain why? Having 2nd PC to stream is much better and preferable over just one whole system to do everything at once.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karrrambaa View Post

Thanks for mentiong that. Looking at that build. But still didnt get one thing sorry, capture card only, or gpu instead of capture card is possible too( Just setupping capture card will be easier) ?
You need to crab the video from your gaming PC to stream with onto 2nd PC.
Capture card is going to do that.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp33d Junki3 View Post

Care to explain why? Having 2nd PC to stream is much better and preferable over just one whole system to do everything at once.
You need to crab the video from your gaming PC to stream with onto 2nd PC.
Capture card is going to do that.
Oh, so in general, there are only two options for two PC streaming setup remaining taking in a count everything being discussed:
or Using cpu with iGpu and capture card
or Using cpu with iGpu and use network to send video data from 1st to 2nd ( and also using network to update it after like usual to twitch or other platforms )
Am i right? Hope i understood that finally )
 
#25 ·
Sp33d Junki3, also, you mentioned i5-8400 which is recent model from Intel. Maybe there are some outdated models of processors which can proceed streaming task also? For example, if it in good condition, possible to buy a used one, with motherboard, ram and hdd.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sp33d Junki3 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by AcEsSalvation View Post

Single. There really isn't a point to a second streaming machine for you.
Care to explain why? Having 2nd PC to stream is much better and preferable over just one whole system to do everything at once.
Buy one computer that can play the games for you, so the entire rig for gaming. Then, buy a $100+ capture card as well a second computer with enough CPU rendering power to live stream 1080p60, hook them up in the same room, have enough desk space for both, and enough monitors for everything you need across two computers. You can save quite a bit of $ and just go one rig.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karrrambaa View Post

Sp33d Junki3, also, you mentioned i5-8400 which is recent model from Intel. Maybe there are some outdated models of processors which can proceed streaming task also? For example, if it in good condition, possible to buy a used one, with motherboard, ram and hdd.
Don't buy used UDD/PSU
 
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