Question / Help Hardware upgrade suggestions

[defunct]

Hello,

I'm running an i7 920 overclocked to 4.0ghz but I'm looking for less in game lag (fps drops/input lag) when streaming with OBS/ffsplit at 720p or capturing 1080p with Dxtory in either raw mode or using x264 codecs.

There are some i5 3570k bundles on sale for the Christmas season, so here are my questions.

1) Would it be worth spending my money on an i5 3570k with a capture card (any suggestions on brands?)

Or...

2) Spend my money on an i7 3770k.

Am I going to see some huge improvements in terms of gaming with a CPU heavy game (Guild Wars 2) with an i5 vs an i7 with the above configuration?

Which option would be best? Or is best option an i7 with a capture card (probably a bit too pricy for me at this point).

Thanks

 

[defunct]

After doing a bit more research it seems a capture card to reduce CPU would be useless as OBS couldn't use the hardware decoder in the card because the API is closed. That, and it seems the Avermedia Live Gamer HD encoder is sub-par.

So, I guess I'm wondering what kind of difference I would see comparing the i5 and the i7 in terms of affecting game play performance.

Thanks,

 

[pike2580]

I would suggets saving for something along the lines of the i7 3770k as you mentioned, it is a big improvment over your i7 920, and that also what you need, the faster cpu/allot of memory, the easier the streaming will be and how smoother the game will performs.

I got a Avermedia Live Gamer a few days ago and it has helped getting rid of the fps drop, i was getting it from capturing the game, not the encoding part of streaming, the encode on it is sub par indeed, its only usefull for capuring.

I am using a 3930k/16gb setup and i am experiencing close to no fps drop/lag, so i think with the i7 3770k with the capture card you will be allot better off then what you have now.

If it will be a massive improvement, yes i think so, especilly with the combo of the capture card, without it you will still notice a big diffrence tough.

Hope it helps

 

[defunct]

If the capture card actually helps with FPS/input drop/lag I'm wondering if an i5 3570k + the capture card would then be an option? I wish I could see how much better the i7 preforms against the i5 while recording or streaming.

 

[skljom]

If the capture card actually helps with FPS/input drop/lag I'm wondering if an i5 3570k + the capture card would then be an option? I wish I could see how much better the i7 preforms against the i5 while recording or streaming.

a not very much, but it is better, better go with i7 for playing future games and others, and with that i7 you won't have any laggs, trust me, same on i5, but why buy i5 when you can get i7. No need for using capture card because i7 can handle streaming with ease.

 

[Muf]

I wouldn't recommend the Live Gamer HD as the hardware encoder is pointless and the HDMI loop-through causes low picture quality on your monitor. Instead, get a Game Broadcaster HD and either use clone mode on your graphics card, or if you don't have enough free ports, get a cheap HDMI splitter from eBay.

 

[defunct]

The only reason for me to buy i5 is to save $200.

 

[pike2580]

Muf, you are completly correct on the encoding part, its bassivly useless but that you get bad quality on your minitor is true when you use the hdmi output from the capture card to connect to your monitor, but when you just connect your monitor to the normal dvi output of the graphics card this is not the case.

dvi to hdmi converter wich you get with the card, to the hdmi input on the card.
then your monitor directly on the second dvi port of your graphics card and its perfect.

I would go for an i7 over the cheaper i5 as it will last allot longer.
That you will have no problems/lagg at all with streaming with a i7 is not the case ofcourse, streaming is heavy on your pc, whatever config you are running, just remember that.
perfect results and 0 lag is only capable with a 2 pc setup, one that games and one that streams.

 

[defunct]

I wouldn't recommend the Live Gamer HD as the hardware encoder is pointless and the HDMI loop-through causes low picture quality on your monitor. Instead, get a Game Broadcaster HD and either use clone mode on your graphics card, or if you don't have enough free ports, get a cheap HDMI splitter from eBay.

Hey Muf, but is the capture card still worth the investment? I still don't understand how it will affect game play quality (getting lag/massive fps drops) if I am still encoding with software.

Thanks for everyone's time and merry Christmas!