Question / Help 2 PC setup help

Roy

Member
Hello guys I'm new to OBS and streaming period. I just got the console streaming figured out, I believe. Now I'm looking at how to setup PC gaming.

I just got done looking through YouTube and I haven't found anything that explains what I need. I'm looking at how to setup OBS for gaming and broadcasting.

I've got 2 pretty good computers. I want to use one for gaming and one for the video/broadcasting. Call me stupid, but I don't understand how to setup OBS on my broadcasting computer and somehow get the gaming capture from another PC.

I believe there are videos about how to use 2 monitors on one PC, but nothing that I've seen for what I'm looking for.

So looking for help

A link to a video or anything that points me in the right direction would be great.

Thanks

Roy
 

FerretBomb

Active Member
What you need is called a 'capture card'. It's an internal PCIe card that acts as a fake monitor, but allows recording of the incoming video instead of simply displaying it. There are USB versions as well, but they generally have significant problems with latency, color bandwidth, and general operation, and are considered a poor second-best to an internal card.

Expect to spend around $200 for a decent one (Elgato HD60 Pro), $300 for a good one (Micomsoft SC512, Magewell), or $140 for a starter-grade (AverMedia).

Be aware, MOST 2PC setups are patently not worthwhile. Also, you want your encoding machine to be the one with the MORE powerful CPU. Many considering a 2PC setup assume they can toss an old crappy system on and get improved performance, which generally is not the case; it also comes with new challenges like audio setup, which immediately becomes significantly more complicated.
 

Roy

Member
I've got a Elgato Capture card as of now that I use with my console.

My gaming PC has I7-6700 with a Nvida GTX 970 and my other PC has i7-4790 with another Nvida GTX 970

I understand what you are saying with the Capture card. I need to run a capture card from my PC to the other one. Pretty much like I did with the console.


Both are Pretty good PCs, but are you saying I should just use OBS on the gaming pc in the background while playing?

Thanks for your replay
 

FerretBomb

Active Member
Yes, you'd want to use an HDMI splitter from your gaming machine, or mirror the output to a second port. It's just like treating your gaming PC as if it were a console.

Yes, running OBS on the i7-6700 will perform better than using the 4790 as a dedicated encoder machine. The 6700 can technically run 1080@60 in a 1PC setup (assuming partnership and bitrate to support it) while both gaming AND streaming, while the 4790 will have significant trouble hitting that same level just as a standalone encoder. Don't bother with a 2PC setup.

On a side note, if you're tempted to gang the 970s into an SLI setup, make sure you use OBS Studio, as it has multi-adapter compatibility built in; Classic can have significant issues with SLI.
 

Roy

Member
On a side note, if you're tempted to gang the 970s into an SLI setup, make sure you use OBS Studio, as it has multi-adapter compatibility built in; Classic can have significant issues with SLI.

Okay I don't even know what you're talking about here. Unless you are talking about 2 video cards together. I was decent at computers about 12 years ago when I was 19 or so.Now I'm trying to learn again. Hell I feel like a jackass gaming on them. I can type pretty damn good, but gaming I lost that. LOL

My main concern is the video and audio quality.

I've got OBS classic on my computer that runs the capture card with console and I'm good with trying the studio with the PC streaming setup.

Is OBS studio pretty close to the Classic when it comes to how to use it.
 
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