PC Gaming Setup for Streaming

Computer gaming has been a hobby for many years now, something you do in your home, and it stops there. It had never been taken into consideration, or even dreamed about being a career, or something that will become something significant, that it is now.

Gamers have now developed their universe around these live streaming sites, where they can catch moments of live gameplay, share it with their friends and fellow gamers, challenge other players, and make a living out of it. Are you familiar with a movie called Ready Player One? I imagine that the world of gaming is like that.

We’ll help you understand the stuff you’ll need for a PC Gaming Rig in this article and how to connect all of them. There will be 2 configurations, one for a single device, and one for a Dual configuration is fine since, for smooth gaming, it freezes the main machine. If you are going for the recommended CPU, it’s best to also try and get a powerful and i7 6700K compatible motherboard.

THINGS YOU’LL NEED: some are optional

  • Computer / Laptop
  • Capture Card
  • 2 HDMI Cable
  • USB Cable
  • Webcam
  • Mic
  • Headset

COMPUTER SETUP

You’ll either use a single configuration, or a dual setup.

SINGLE System– For both gaming and broadcasting, you can have 1 device / laptop. You can play and stream from a single device, but to support your gaming and streaming at the same time, your computer needs to be strong enough (Something like this).

RECOMMENDED (at a minimum):

  • Core i7
  • 16 gigabytes of RAM
  • GTX 970 or higher for NVIDIA

DUAL SETUP-You can have 2 laptops/computers. One for streaming, one for games. Dual configuration is fine since, for smooth gaming, it freezes the main machine.

RECOMMENDED for your phone / laptop streaming (at least)

  • 4670 or higher i5
  • 8GB RAM of RAM
  • CPU with a quad core which runs on WINDOWS 10
  • GTX 650 or higher for NVIDIA

It is advisable to have 2 displays/monitor, whichever you choose, Dual or Single Configuration. One for streaming, one for gameplay. Though a gaming monitor is cooler, you can use a TV as your projector.
See also See Now

Laptops by Asus Gaming

CAPTURE CARD

 

DUAL SETUP– You would not be able to log your gameplay without a Capture Card. A Capture Card captures your gaming with your streaming program on another device or notebook, then broadcasts it from that computer. You’re going to need an Elgato Capture Card (Hey! It’s on Amazon): HD60 S+ / HD60 S / 4K60 PRO, 2 USB and 2 HDMI cables.

SINGLE SETUP-no capture card needed, as all capture is performed internally.

WEBCAM

You can use any webcam you want. For Dual Setup – simply plug it into your streaming computer / laptop.

HEADSET

Wireless, wired, Bluetooth, USB, everything you prefer, and anything from inexpensive to pricey, you can choose. We love Arctis Pro’s SteelSeries. It’s simple to mount, pro-grade sound, you can talk with your friends using built-in microphones. You will want to check out our list as well: Best PC Wireless Gaming Headset

MICROPHONE

You need to be able to commentate on your game or if you go live. USB type are easy to use, just plug and play. A lapel or lavalier mic is also an easy setup.

HOW TO SETUP?

CAPTURE CARD

DUAL SETUP-You need to run it on your streaming PC on the PCI-E SLOT whether you have Elgato 4k60 Pro or HD60 Pro. It won’t work on a laptop.

Attach an HDMI cable from the HDMI output on the back of your gaming machine graphics card to the elgato capture card input port, then attach another HDMI cable from the elgato capture card output port to your TV or computer monitor HDMI input port from which you are watching games.

Plug a USB cable from the capture card into your steaming PC or laptop’s USB port if you are using HD60 S / HD60 S+. As it is already mounted on your device, no USB cable is needed for the HD60 Pro and 4k60 Pro.

SINGLE SETUP-No Capture Card needed

HEADSET & MIC

DUAL SETUP – connect your mic and headset into your gaming computer.

SINGLE SETUP – plug any cables or adapters that came with your headset to your computer.

  • AUDIO CHECKLIST:
    • Make sure your volume is up on your headsets.
    • Turn off all external speakers plug into your streaming / gaming PC.
    • If you’re recording using a laptop, turn down the volume.
    • Turn down the volume on any TV or monitor connected to your setup.
    • The sound will and should only come out of your headset.

CHAT while gaming?  DISCORD + VOICEMEETER

SINGLE and DUAL

If you want to chat with your friends while playing you can install Discord. 

  1. Install or open Discord on browser. Create an account (server), then give it a name.
  2. Click on main icon, right click on your friends, and invite them to your server.
  3. Go to discord settings, VOICE & VIDEO – input and output device should be set to default.
  4. IF you want to record only your voice, change output device to your headset.
  5. Check input sensitivity to automatic.
  6. On advanced, make sure all options are enabled.

 

FOR DUAL SETUP only – you’ll need voicemeeter. so you can send your game audio and chat to your headset and your viewers.

  1. Download and Install, then restart.
  2. Click Start button, search for VB Audio folder, then open Voicemeeter.
  3. Set A1 — headset you’re using A2 – elgato capture card, make sure this A is colored.
  4. Go to settings – system settings
  5. OUT A2 – click on the number next to the driver. click okay, set to 256.

Now Voicemeeter is setup to send your game audio to your headphones so you can hear it and to your streaming PC so your viewers can hear it.

PC SOUND SETTINGS

SINGLE SETUP-go to the taskbar of your gaming PC, right-click on the speaker icon, pick sounds, go to the replay page, select your gaming headset/PC headphone performance

DUAL SETUP-You can monitor by playing music and sound from your headphones by setting the speech meter as the option for playback.

MIC for DUAL SETUP only

  1. Choose the mic currently plugged into your gaming machine from the recording tab and set it to normal. Right-click on the mic, assets, and then from there you can set the volume settings to adjust the volume on your video.
  2. Pick your elgato capture card from the replay from this device menu on the LISTEN Page, then search to listen to this device, then press OK. It will guarantee that your voice is synchronized to your device for recording/streaming and that it can be captured.

RECORD / STREAMING

If you’re just planning to film your gameplay, you can start and record your Elgato app on your streaming machine, then edit and upload your video. But you need to use a program encoder, such as OBS Workshop, Streamlabs OBS, XSplit, and many more, if you choose to stream on a network like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, Mixer. We’re going to talk about that in another post, so stay tuned!

Categorized in: