Question / Help Second PC specs

[Maestro]

Hey, I wanna build second PC to run OBS on it and boost my quality a bit. I already have a capture card. What processor do I need to stream on "slower" x264 preset and not having any lag? Also, do I need a graphics card for second PC? Can cheap GPU cause any lag? Thanks.

Btw, I'm not a partner, my OBS settings currently are:
720p @ 30fps
2250 bitrate and 2500 buffer
CBR - both checked
x264 preset - normal
CFR - checked
Full color range - checked

This settings will not be changed on a new PC, only x264 preset to "slower".

 

[FerretBomb]

Going to the Slower preset is not a magic bullet; you probably won't notice much difference; it's polish. Also not worth the significant hassle of a 2PC setup. I would recommend against this, and advise just upgrading your main system instead. You'll get a much bigger quality boost by playing at native streaming res (so set your game to run at 720p if you're casting at 720)... the lack of downscale quality loss will be a MUCH more noticeable improvement than dropping a few preset levels.

Yes, you will need a GPU. It just needs to be fully DX10 compliant, so any modern budget card should work. Probably looking at an i7-4790 or 4930k, as Slower is a pretty significant CPU increase breakpoint (Fast->Medium is one, and Slow->Slower is the next). Even then it may not work (I'm having issues getting 720@30 on anything lower than Medium to work on a 5820k).

Really, a 2PC setup is expensive and a pain in the butt to deal with. It's solidly not worth it, unless you're a Partner (and maybe not even then; I am one and I'm sticking 1PC). The only reason to really need one is for competitive gaming, to reduce the streaming performance hit to zero, or if you're streaming at ridiculous res/fps rates.

 

[Maestro]

My main PC is a beast already, but my FPS in CS:GO still drops for about 50-100 when I streaming. So yea, it's not only about stream quality. Core i5 won't handle the load on "slow / slower"? Btw, what buffer time will I need on "slow / slower"? Now it's 700ms.

 

[FerretBomb]

No, a core i5 isn't going to come close to even Medium. Buffering time doesn't change as a function of preset.