Question / Help I would like to find a pc or laptop for streaming

[Efocutioner]

So as the title says I'm trying to find a laptop or desktop that I can use to stream. I'm not looking to stream games off my computer, but instead looking to stream xbox 360, Ps3, Ps2, Dreamcast, Sega genesis, super nintendo games from. My budget is between $500 to $700 dollars. I'm not looking to spend to much since this will be my first streaming pc or desktop and depending. I just need some help since others ask for a pc or desktop to stream games that are not from consoles.

 

[FerretBomb]

A laptop is not advised; they have a small thermal envelope, and are significantly more expensive. They also limit your options for capture devices.

Desktop, advise at minimum an Intel Core i5 and a GTX 400+ or RadeonHD 5000+. Real-time video encoding is an EXTREMELY 'heavy' process, computationally speaking. Doesn't matter if you're streaming consoles, encoding video takes a lot of work. And OBS requires DX10 hardware support as it uses the GPU for scaling, compositing, and a few other things on the back-end.

For a capture device, would strongly advise a Micomsoft SC-512N1-L/DVI. It's what I use, and is the best capture card on the market for livestreaming purposes at present. Added bonus, it'll accept signals directly from all of those (aside from PS3, which uses HDCP unless you break it with a few specific HDMI splitters, or send it over component cables). Does HDMI/DVI with embedded audio, component, VGA, S-video, composite, and even RGB if you have an rgbmodded retro console. It's kind of pricey at $330, but it's worth every penny compared to the Avermedia crap. Can also get one from SabrePC as the Yuan SC512 for $200, but they're having trouble keeping them in stock so it can be a wait.

 

[dping]

So as the title says I'm trying to find a laptop or desktop that I can use to stream. I'm not looking to stream games off my computer, but instead looking to stream xbox 360, Ps3, Ps2, Dreamcast, Sega genesis, super nintendo games from. My budget is between $500 to $700 dollars. I'm not looking to spend to much since this will be my first streaming pc or desktop and depending. I just need some help since others ask for a pc or desktop to stream games that are not from consoles.

you could either buy an i5 based PC or a good motherboard with an FX 8350 and overclock. I would also see about investing in a capture card PCIE or USB 3.0 but PCIE would be better. OBS Multiplatform currently runs on linux and mac as well, but again, there could be issues with that and a capture card.

Check here:
https://obsproject.com/forum/list/linux-support.34/

I say this because you could save $ on buying an operating system and software. but you'd need to know a little about linux.

Or take your chances on a laptop and buy a USB 3.0 capture card. just note that USB has some bandwidth issues (AV sync etc) if you strream at higher resolutions

 

[Efocutioner]

I already have a capture card its the elgato

 

[Efocutioner]

I already have a capture card its the elgato but do I need a graphics card

 

[dping]

I already have a capture card its the elgato but do I need a graphics card

Well considering all the GPU is going to be doing is scaling, all you really need is a DX10, 11 or 12 GPU of decent quality. personally I wouldn't spend over $150 on this.

 

[Efocutioner]

Okay so one thing I probably I should of stated is there a built pc that contains an Intel i5 and DX10? I'm not that talent to build a pc.

 

[dping]

Okay so one thing I probably I should of stated is there a built pc that contains an Intel i5 and DX10? I'm not that talent to build a pc.

prebuilts are ok, but usually skimp on things like power supplies and motherboards, so dont expect to OC when the PC no longer meets your needs. go look around and see if you can find a CPU with a high GHz i5. preferably a k series but not necessary.

with an i5, your are looking at streaming at 720@30 with fast or faster preset OR 720@60 with the veryfast preset. both are duable, but being as 720@30 only needs 2000-2500 bitrate to lok good, it will be more viewable by your viewers (i.e. less buffering).

 

[Efocutioner]

Okay how about this pc: http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Deskto...289793011,p_computer_cpu_speed-bin:3+GHz+&+Up

or do you know where I can look for a pc with intel i5-4690k and DX10?

 

[Efocutioner]

or what about this: http://www.amazon.com/M32CD-Desktop...ims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR119,160_#productDetails

 

[dping]

or what about this: http://www.amazon.com/M32CD-Desktop-Windows-Keyboard-Mouse/dp/B014QVM2KO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9F39AF692T15JNT18Z&dpID=41wxreEaXgL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR119,160_#productDetails

Personally I'd go with the asus, but that is because its skylake even though the base clock is lower, it outperformas the i5 4460. anyway, the Levono comes with a dedicated GPU so its really a toss up.

 

[Efocutioner]

well do I need really a gpu? I'm asking because I don't see it as a requirement for twitch

 

[dping]

well do I need really a gpu? I'm asking because I don't see it as a requirement for twitch

the scaling is done on the GPU, prior to skylake, iGPUs were really bad at this. I haven't had anyone test with just the iGPU with newer processors such as this. it would probbaly be better, but the issue is, if your GPU is to weak to do scaling for OBS, alot of extra load is put on the CPU which causes more CPU usages than necessary.

 

[Efocutioner]

okay so where do I go to find the desktop that I'm looking for because amazon isn't that helpful

 

[dping]

okay so where do I go to find the desktop that I'm looking for because amazon isn't that helpful

I dont really know what you should get to be exact. as I said both would be good options, the levono would be better because dedicated GPU but then again, skylake, so I'm torn. I'd check newegg as well. there are many places out there that sell PCs and good deals all the time.

 

[Efocutioner]

oh what about this pc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227595

 

[Efocutioner]

or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227595

 

[dping]

oh what about this pc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227595

If you're going AMD then http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220973
2TB HDD and 12 GB RAM, the R7 240GPU is DX12 even though its low/midranged, should do what you need

yeah dont get this :P

 

[Efocutioner]

thank you!!!

 

[dping]

thank you!!!

Wait, dont buy just yet, eek that CPU is actually slower :/ my bad.

so thinking about it, you could get the skylake CPU then go find a dedicated GPU purchased separately. as long as the power supply was enough.

EDIT:This is why its hard to recommend a PC, you really need to do some research on what you are buying,

skylake of that i5 up top is the newest CPU type, which means more power effecient and more horsepower per MHz.

the FX83XX series will do what you want, and is priced right, but it is way older technology and uses up a lot of power compared.

Also note that there are other factors, like Hard drive space (which can be purchased later) but a 2TB of space is $ better spent if you plan on saving a local recording of your games to later go to youtube.