Why Would I need a streaming PC?

[harrystam]

I can't wrap my head around encoding on one cpu and gaming on another. IDK something about it just confuses me.
I currently stream on twitch with no issue with my current specs.
Cooler Master HAF 922
ASUS Prime X370 Pro
AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
Corsair hydro H100i
32GB Corsair
Vengeance MSI Vega x64 water cooled
Creative SoundBlaster ZX
EVGA 1000 G2

This is also a very expensive build and I didn't expect it to drop frames when I started to stream. Besides the point.

I know a dedicated streaming pc is usually something in the middle of the performance spectrum. But can anyone please explain fully how the process works? If i'm gaming on rig A, how do I get my gameplay encoded and streamed from rig B?

I don't need help picking parts. I just need clarification on how the the process works.

I guess I should add I have 2 displays...If that helps at all.

Thanks,
Harrison

 

[vapour]

You don't have to, but AAA titles gaming and streaming on 1 pc will have less frames than gaming only due to resource competition. However, a dedicated streaming pc will not occupy any resource on the gaming pc, thus no frames drop.

A good read on how dedicated streaming pc working by James Mason: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3299336/building-dedicated-streaming.html

 

[harrystam]

You don't have to, but AAA titles gaming and streaming on 1 pc will have less frames than gaming only due to resource competition. However, a dedicated streaming pc will not occupy any resource on the gaming pc, thus no frames drop.

A good read on how dedicated streaming pc working by James Mason: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3299336/building-dedicated-streaming.html

That is a helpful post. Thanks for sharing it.
I came across this image while doing research.

I think it cleared up alot of confusion for me, but internal capture cards always come with their own software that you must use, as far as I've heard and they're really pricey.
Are capture cards the best route to go when building a streaming pc or is their a way to use OBS and still run a multiple HDMI input setup?

Is the capture card a necessity?

 

[vapour]

You can do this without capture card but will be much harder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jROntrxj5-E

 

[harrystam]

You can do this without capture card but will be much harder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jROntrxj5-E

Would I would leave my current display adapters connected to my monitors? Gaming pc>gaming gpu> cables> gaming monitors.
Or would I have to replace them?
I feel like the worse part will be buying 6 HDMI cables.

 

[vapour]

I am no expert on the non-capture card setup, read this guide: https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/guide-two-pc-configuration-without-capturecard.6757/

I will ping some experts here

 

[harrystam]

I am no expert on the non-capture card setup, read this guide: https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/guide-two-pc-configuration-without-capturecard.6757/

I will ping some experts here

I mean - If I were using a capture card...
Do I have to replace my current display cables or leave them?

 

[vapour]

your gpu has 1 hdmi and 3 dp
I suggest you use hdmi to output to capture card, dp to your gaming monitor

 

[harrystam]

your gpu has 1 hdmi and 3 dp
I suggest you use hdmi to output to capture card, dp to your gaming monitor

So as of right now I'm probably just gonna use a laptop as a streaming PC, since it would save me some moolah.
I saw this https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UG38H3582 and thought it would make things easier. I would just need a separate mic for audio on my laptop. This approach would also save space in general. I could just put my laptop on a end table next to my computer desk.

Am I missing anything?

 

[vapour]

does your laptop have hdmi? If so, the mic part can be saved. Sounds good to me Good luck.

 

[harrystam]

does your laptop have hdmi? If so, the mic part can be saved. Sounds good to me Good luck.

Yeah, it has a HDMI port. How could I skip the mic part? Wouldn't my streaming laptop need a mic input so my stream could hear me?

 

[vapour]

my bad, no need for laptop hdmi.
Just HDMI can pass both video and audio. So if your pc has mic already, I guess headset? You are covered, follow this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqqU95c46pA

 

[harrystam]

my bad, no need for laptop hdmi.
Just HDMI can pass both video and audio. So if your pc has mic already, I guess headset? You are covered, follow this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqqU95c46pA

That's a very useful video. If I'm running 2 monitors will it effect it? Or is it all fixed in the display settings?

 

[vapour]

as long as you don't play on 2 monitors simultaneously, gpu is powerful enough to support 2nd display monitor.

 

[harrystam]

as long as you don't play on 2 monitors simultaneously, gpu is powerful enough to support 2nd display monitor.

Main monitor for stream gameplay, monitor 2 for chat, music, etc and laptop for streaming content on main monitor.. I'm pretty sure I got down the theory of it.
Now i just have to move my OBS settings to my laptop and buy a capture card in the park of 100- 130$...ugh!

 

[vapour]

Good luck