Build Advice Dedicated Streaming PC ?

[Elfreda]

Hi all,

Looking to build a second system for dedicated streaming (and maybe 1080/1440p recording). I've always thought my "high" end system would be able to handle both - However, seems not to be the case without losing fps!

I've tried multiple methods of bitrate, stream quality from 1080p, 938p, 720, 480p and terrible 360p at both 30 and 60fps. No joys. I use NVENC / Nvidia Encoder.

The more I think of it a dual system sounds better anyway, I got the space for it, I can restart PC without restarting streams and my gameplay would be as smooth as possible and such.

Non-stream: 120-130fps.
Streaming: 50-70fps (Ouch! Worse than PS5 @ 120Hz).

My requirements for the stream PC would be:

1. Ideally a small footprint/case - will try and mount the machine under the desk, but no big deal if it's a normal case.
2. Only need one drive (should be okay) small NVMe for OS. Stream to Twitch/Record gameplay only so no need for extra storage (Unless I do record then I'd add a 3TB HDD or something later).
3. I already own 4K60 Pro MK.2 (unopened).
4. I've purchased a GoXLR Mini so audio should be possible on dual setup. Using XML mic.
5. I plan to stream at 936p60 - This will be the target.

5. Budget: Max £1,000 GBP but ideally around £700-800 GBP? System only, no monitor etc.

My current rig (below) is a pre-built system from PCSpeacialist ideally I'd get another pre-build but wondering the money I can save building the stream machine myself.

Some builds I've been suggested (by PCS staff + community):
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-home-office/NMCJaMa8HF (changing the ram to 3200Mhz)
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/JX2B3ny4hc


From checking Twitch channels of popular FPS gamers (who are dual pc) it seems most are using i5/i7-9900k Ryzen 5 3600XT, AMD 3300X and all mostly 20 series cards (2060/2080/2080Ti) with 32GB DDR4 3200MHz

The issue is the 20 series card pricing, it seems some of them are trying to sell for more than a brand new sealed 3060 @ 2070 for £700+ lol saywhat?

If you don't mind putting a part list together I'm UK based (https://uk.pcpartpicker.com).


Current Rig:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core CPU (3.7GHz-4.8GHz/70MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard: ASUS® ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0) - ARGB Ready!
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti FE
Storage 1TB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 530 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 7300MB/R, 6000MB/W)
Power: CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET


Thanks.

 

[Viking2121]

Well I'm not a streamer so, but I do help some friends who do stream, One common mistake that people make when making a dedicated streaming PC is they think they need the best GPU they can afford, it's not really the case, in fact, you can get away without a GPU, that's a big chunk of the budget and then needed a really good PSU to compensate for the power that the GPU would need to idle and do next to nothing or nothing at all.

You can safely get away with a modernish Intel CPU, something like a 10500 or a 10700, or even a used 9900k, 16gb of ram, and a board with video outputs. You can allow the CPU to do the encoding which would of course hit the CPU usage so more cores would help, but you could use Intel's Quick Sync, same as Nvidia's Nvenc but uses Intel's integrated graphics for the encoder, of course, newer the CPU better quality, but you won't really notice with the lower bitrate, local recordings you could probably tell.

If you do however want to use Nvenc on the dedicated streaming PC, You won't need anything better than a GTX1660, I would avoid older for quality reasons, a 1650 and older will have worse quality, not so notable on stream but local recordings you'd notice. You do not need an RTX 2080ti or RTX 4090 Titan TI whatever they call it for a streaming PC.

RAM, you probably won't need a ton of it if you are solely just using it to stream and record, and I doubt any plugins or screens will need more than 16gb of total system ram, but ram is so easily upgradable if the needs change, it's a cheap upgrade.

Of course, don't go too cheap on a PSU, want something name brand, but doesn't have to be top of the line, just stay away from Corsair CX models, I know they are always a cheaper price but have horrible reliability.

Of course, you will need a capture card, you definitely want an internal card, none of the USB stuff, they are always problematic.

I'm not a pro at this, I mean I don't stream on a regular basis, But I have helped many in the past.

A single PC can stream pretty well, when you start to add a bunch of plugins, scenes, and a bunch of other stuff is where a single PC starts to get a little overwhelmed especially depending on the amount of recurses the game needs, some games and OBS you need to cap the FPS for a smooth streaming or recording experience as the game will try to take every little resource it can leaving OBS with not much GPU to render the scenes and the other stuff, Even with Nvenc, yous till need a little bit of GPU recurses for OBS to render the screens, and of course CPU.

Good Luck!

 

[Elfreda]

You can safely get away with a modernish Intel CPU, something like a 10500 or a 10700, or even a used 9900k, 16gb of ram, and a board with video outputs. You can allow the CPU to do the encoding which would of course hit the CPU usage so more cores would help, but you could use Intel's Quick Sync, same as Nvidia's Nvenc but uses Intel's integrated graphics for the encoder, of course, newer the CPU better quality, but you won't really notice with the lower bitrate, local recordings you could probably tell.

Which is normally better overall? To CPU or GPU encoding?

If you do however want to use Nvenc on the dedicated streaming PC, You won't need anything better than a GTX1660, I would avoid older for quality reasons, a 1650 and older will have worse quality, not so notable on stream but local recordings you'd notice. You do not need an RTX 2080ti or RTX 4090 Titan TI whatever they call it for a streaming PC.

I agree with that! I was looking at around 1660-1660 SUPER. The issue I'm having is getting a "fair" price it seems everyone is trying to get 3070 prices for a 1660 - same for 2070 lol. Been informed to pay "no more" than £160-£190 for a 1080. So that tells me a 1660 "ideally" should be cheaper but nope! lol.

Found a "used but fully working" 2060 for £190. Worth?

RAM, you probably won't need a ton of it if you are solely just using it to stream and record, and I doubt any plugins or screens will need more than 16gb of total system ram, but ram is so easily upgradable if the needs change, it's a cheap upgrade.

I was just going to get 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz. 32GB if it's only a small £5-£10 more at time of purchase.

Of course, don't go too cheap on a PSU, want something name brand, but doesn't have to be top of the line, just stay away from Corsair CX models, I know they are always a cheaper price but have horrible reliability.

I was looking at Corsair 750W RMx 80 Plus Gold.

Of course, you will need a capture card, you definitely want an internal card, none of the USB stuff, they are always problematic.

I already own a brand new sealed Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 I got for £99.

 

[Viking2121]

Which is normally better overall? To CPU or GPU encoding?



I agree with that! I was looking at around 1660-1660 SUPER. The issue I'm having is getting a "fair" price it seems everyone is trying to get 3070 prices for a 1660 - same for 2070 lol. Been informed to pay "no more" than £160-£190 for a 1080. So that tells me a 1660 "ideally" should be cheaper but nope! lol.

Found a "used but fully working" 2060 for £190. Worth?



I was just going to get 16GB DDR4 3200Mhz. 32GB if it's only a small £5-£10 more at time of purchase.



I was looking at Corsair 750W RMx 80 Plus Gold.



I already own a brand new sealed Elgato Game Capture 4K60 Pro MK.2 I got for £99.

CPU Encoding will yield the best quality, but GPU encoding isn't far off anymore and I'd use it if the CPU is having a hard time keeping up with everything else which it shouldn't even if you were to get a 8700k or 9900k or Ryzen 3rd gen or better, but some peoples streams are kinda heavy on CPU recurses, thats something you'd have to play with, but I'd definitely get something with at least a 6 core 12 thread or better, if you set up recording and want as close to raw capture quality as possible, it can start eating up the CPU recourses.

Yeah a 2060 is plenty, has the same encoder at the 1660 and modern Nvidia cards. Anything lower or older then the 1660 will have the last gen encoder which doesn't have quite as good quality. The 2060 would be perfect without breaking the bank.

Looks like everything else is great, Good PSU, and well Case is subjective, just make sure the case you choose has what you want, like a HDD bay if you plan to put mass storage in it, cooling.

Good Luck!

 

[Elfreda]

CPU Encoding will yield the best quality, but GPU encoding isn't far off anymore and I'd use it if the CPU is having a hard time keeping up with everything else which it shouldn't even if you were to get a 8700k or 9900k or Ryzen 3rd gen or better, but some peoples streams are kinda heavy on CPU recurses, thats something you'd have to play with, but I'd definitely get something with at least a 6 core 12 thread or better, if you set up recording and want as close to raw capture quality as possible, it can start eating up the CPU recourses.

Yeah a 2060 is plenty, has the same encoder at the 1660 and modern Nvidia cards. Anything lower or older then the 1660 will have the last gen encoder which doesn't have quite as good quality. The 2060 would be perfect without breaking the bank.

Looks like everything else is great, Good PSU, and well Case is subjective, just make sure the case you choose has what you want, like a HDD bay if you plan to put mass storage in it, cooling.

Good Luck!

Thanks! I've seen some 2060-2070s for £190 but these are "Used". 1660s are coming up more than a brand new 3070 costs.. 🤦‍♂️

Reviewing: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/JLvsjZ (suggested by a Discord community member/legend).