Question / Help [Help] Want to upgrade PC to Stream better....

[xAOxCharlyBravo]

I currently purchased a sweet streaming setup; Elgato HD60, Snowball ICE Condenser, etc! However after setting up and running test I am having encoding overload! I looked through forums, changed my settings to the BARE. I no longer have the overload but my stream is pixeleated and all over bad. I need help on what I should upgrade to get a decent stream going. Ill take all recommendations, but please consider expense in mind. I don't wanna drop 300 on a Graphics card.

By the way, I know my current specs are terrible, so please be a lil forgiving :P

 

[c3r1c3]

1. Buying an Elgato is a bad idea... not as bad as buying a Hauppage, but still VERY not good for the health of your stream. If you can return it, do so and get an Avermedia c985.
2. That CPU is nowhere near good enough to stream with. You need to aim for at least a 4-core i5@2.6GHz if you want to stream and game on the same system.
3. After you address those 2 issues, then I would focus on the system memory (actually you can do this right now). Go for sticks of memory that are arranged to give you symmetrical memory bandwidth across your CPU channels. You system might be already set that way, or you might just need to rearrange the sticks you have.
4. Lastly after doing all of that, if you need more, add a good GPU. NVidia 960 GTX is what I would look at.

Now as to upgrades, you MIGHT be able to upgrade your CPU. Check with your system manufacturer, or motherboard maker. You should be able to find some good deals on ebay for a CPU.

As to checking your memory, grab CPU-z, run it, and make sure that each channel has the same configuration of memory (i.e. if channel 1 has a 2-Gig stick, and then a 1-Gig stick, make sure that channel 2 is the same).

One more thing. You don't actually state your spending limit/budget. That's makes it impossible to be more particular/accurate, which means it's harder to actually help you.