For serious streamers, a dual PC setupoffers the best performance by splitting gaming and streaming tasks between two machines. This ensures smooth gameplay, high-quality streams, and less stress on a single system. If you’re a dedicated streamer looking to enhance your setup, this guide will walk you through how to configure a dual Gaming PC and streaming rig efficiently.
Why Use a Dual PC Setup?
A dual PC setup has several advantages:
- Improved Performance: Separating gaming and streaming tasks prevents performance drops.
- Higher Stream Quality: A dedicated streaming PC allows for higher bitrates and smoother video output.
- Less Encoding Load on the Gaming PC: The Gaming PC runs the game while the second PC handles encoding.
- More Stability: Even if the streaming PC crashes, your game remains unaffected.
Essential Components for a Dual PC Setup
1. Gaming PC: High-Performance Machine for Gameplay
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X or Intel Core i7-13700K
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7900 XT
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 for smooth gaming
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD for game storage
- Cooling: High-performance air or liquid cooling
2. Streaming PC: Dedicated for Streaming Tasks
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or Intel Core i5-12600K
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super (for NVENC encoding) or equivalent
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 or DDR5 for multitasking
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD for OBS and video files
3. Capture Card: Connecting the Two PCs
- A capture card allows the Gaming PCto send video output to the streaming PC.
- Recommended options:
- Elgato HD60 X (1080p at 60fps)
- Elgato 4K60 Pro (4K at 60fps)
- AverMedia Live Gamer Duo (Dual HDMI inputs)
4. Audio Setup: Ensuring Clear Communication
- XLR Microphone: Shure SM7B or Rode NT1 with an audio interface
- Audio Mixer: GoXLR or Elgato Wave XLR for sound control
- Headphones: Low-latency wired headphones for real-time audio monitoring
How to Connect Your Dual PC Setup1. Connect the Gaming PC to the Capture Card
- Use an HDMI out from the Gaming PCto the capture card’s HDMI in.
- Connect the capture card’s USB or PCIe interface to the streaming PC.
2. Configure OBS on the Streaming PC
- Install OBS Studio or Streamlabs OBSon the streaming PC.
- Select the capture card as the video source.
- Set the streaming bitrate and encoding settings for the best quality.
3. Set Up Audio Routing
- Use Voicemeeter Banana or GoXLR to send audio from the gaming PC to the streaming PC.
- Configure a separate microphone input for stream commentary.
4. Optimize Network and Internet Connection
- Use a wired Ethernet connection for both PCs to reduce latency.
- Ensure at least 10 Mbps upload speedfor stable streaming.
Conclusion
Setting up a dual PC gaming and streaming rig is the ultimate solution for high-quality streams and uninterrupted gameplay. By dedicating a Gaming PC for running games and a secondary PC for encoding and streaming, streamers can maximize performance and provide the best experience for their audience. With the right hardware, capture card, and audio setup, your dual-PC rig will help you take your streaming to the next level.
