If you plan to stream games, you will need a streaming PC with a processor of at least an Intel Core i5-4670 and 8GB of RAM. It must also run Windows 7 or higher and have a good quality internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 3 megabits per second. Most streaming enthusiasts use a secondary PC, one for gaming and one for streaming. They optimize the various components of their streaming PCs to match their streaming needs.
A good hard drive for streaming is an 11TB drive. For more storage space, you can install a high-quality game stream. A smaller SSD can be used to store the operating system and a few video projects. If you want to record a stream, you need a minimum of two or four TB HDD. However, a dual-channel RAM is recommended. Then, the memory modules will play a key role in video production.
For the graphics card, you will need a high-end graphics card. An Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is an excellent choice for a streaming PC. It offers 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 1536 CUDA cores. You can also choose other variants of the same card with higher clock speeds. Lastly, you will need a GPU with high-end features.
Another thing to consider is the level of professionalism you want to project. Streaming games without games is not particularly taxing on computers, but high-end games will demand a lot more processing power. In these cases, a gaming PC can be sufficient. However, if you are streaming to Twitch, you’ll want to have a computer with at least six cores. So, the minimum specs for a streaming PC are as follows:
As mentioned before, a dedicated streaming machine should have enough RAM and CPU to stream live videos. Video is a CPU-centric activity, so your CPU needs to be powerful enough. A quad-core processor is a good start. If you intend to broadcast games, you’ll also need a decent graphics card, but these are additional costs that you need to bear. Streaming games requires a higher CPU and more RAM.
Another consideration is video resolution. While 720p resolution is okay, 1080p is preferred. Most streaming PCs use a 1080p 60 frame rate, and even 720p 30 FPS webcams can be used if necessary. You can opt for lower resolution if you’re on a tight budget. You’ll need at least a dual-core CPU and four GB of RAM. You can also buy an external GPU if you want to use a webcam.
The CPU and GPU are the two most energy-consuming components of a streaming PC. If you’re planning to stream at 1080p 60 FPS, you’ll need a 500W power supply. A good power supply will protect your CPU and GPU from voltage fluctuations. A 5-year warranty should be enough. However, if you’re planning to stream games at 1080p 60 FPS, you may need to upgrade the components of your PC.
Beelink GTi 11
The Beelink GTi 11 is an affordable yet powerful mini PC, with an Intel Core i5 1135G7 processor and a 500GB SSD. With this processor, this device can compete with an Intel NUC and is more than capable of running all your favorite programs. It also features the latest AMD Ryzen 9 4900H processor, which is almost twice as powerful as the Core i5 found in the GTi11. The Beelink GTi 11 retails for $599, including delivery. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and a 500GB SSD.
This mini PC has several interfaces, including two USB 3.0 ports on the front, a 3.5mm audio jack, a CMOS reset hole, and a power key with LED status indicators. The Beelink GTi 11 has two USB2.0 and one USB3.0 port, as well as an HDMI 2.0 port and a full-size DisplayPort. It lacks a memory card slot, but that’s expected with a device this small.
