Question / Help Building a livestream computer for OBS

K

Kadano

New Member
I want to stream 480p60 source with my Avermedia H727. I don’t like laptops so I’m looking for mini-ITX or maybe even smaller case/mobo combinations.

The case will probably be a Cooler Master Elite 120. Now I need to decide between Intel and AMD for CPU and motherboard.
All the PC will have to do is:
1. Take 480i60 input, deinterlace with Yadif2x
2. Add a couple of overlays and two webcam sources
3. Encode with x264 and livestream it to Twitch
4. Have the occasional web browser and GIMP open

I did have a Sandy Bridge Celeron G530 once and was really impressed how easily this cheap processor handled all standard tasks. I upgraded slightly to an i3-2120 for my ATX machine in the meantime. But I can still see the G530 meeting my expectations well. Does anyone here have experience with ITX setups / low-budget CPU-mobo combos? I could afford an i7 CPU as well, I just don’t want to pay more than necessary.

If you agree that cheap dual-core Intel CPUs will do the job just fine, would you rather recommend going for a used G530 for ~20€ or a new Haswell G1820 for ~36€?
 
FerretBomb

FerretBomb

Active Member
The CPU is the most important part of a livestreaming system. I'd recommend Intel (for QSV as an option if nothing else, along with colloquially better encoding performance). An i3 isn't going to be up to the task. It's a 'budget conscious' CPU for a reason. An i5 could possibly squeak by... they tend to run out of steam after about 720@30 on Veryfast though.

I'd personally not go any lower than an i7 for any streaming rig that I'd build (and an actual quad-core with hyperthreading, for a total of 8 virtual cores, not the craptastic new dual-core ones they're shilling off). The extra CPU horsepower can be put toward encoding at a slower preset, making your output look better at the same bitrate.

So no, I would not recommend cheaping out. Then again, I'm a fan of doing things right... and the phrase 'there's no such thing as overkill'.
 
K

Kadano

New Member
Thank you! I’ll go with an i5-4570 or higher, then. For deciding between i5 and i7, I guess I can simply look at x264 benchmarks? The AMD FX-8350 is pretty high up there, would you say that’s an option too or are i5/i7/Xeon 12xx the better choices?

Did you go for µATX or mini-ITX? I want to have a light and small case as I often travel by plane. Do you have any recommendations for that?
 
FerretBomb

FerretBomb

Active Member
I'm looking at something like this, myself:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811163205

Mostly as I want the ability to run a full dual-slot GPU, as well as include a capture card (or two, or one and an audio interface/etc) to make it a more full-featured portable encoding system. Also planning on adding a mixer-mount to the top so I can just clip my Behringer 1204USB on and be ready to go. Possibly with a Lilliput ultramobile monitor for things like board gaming nights. A bit larger than you may have been thinking.
Also was hoping to go with a closed-loop water cooling system (this is one of the very few times when they're actually a valid choice) but the clearance constraints would be extremely limiting, and leave me to bolt the radiator to the outside of the case, also screwing up the positive pressure setup (and attracting dust) as I'm not going to blow hot air INTO the case from OUTSIDE. Was hoping to find a slimline 2x80mm closed-loop setup, but appears no one really bothers making those. Unfortunate. And I prefer not to go with a self-made watercooling setup... I've had that particular headache before. Frankly? Screw that noise, Mr. Rivets.

So yeah, trying to find something that will offer a better cooling envelope on the CPU to allow optimal running temps, system longevity, and possibly a bit of an OC if I want to dip back into that and remember the classic way (aka: not the BS method of 'throw everything and see what sticks' that most current-day 'enthusiasts' employ).
 
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