Do you feel like you’re an above-average gamer that has what it takes to become a full-time streamer? Unfortunately, having a beastly gaming rig alone simply won’t cut it. You’re going to need the best PC gear for streaming, YouTubing, Vlogging, and everything in between.
There’s a huge difference between playing a video game and playing a video game while the world is watching. Welcome to the world of game streaming or broadcasting!
In order to fully understand what kind of gear you would need, we have created a little guide to help you get there. Last time, we discussed how to choose the best gaming PC Build for Valorant in 2022. Today, we’re going to upgrade your rig even more.
So just sit back, relax, and learn a thing or two about game broadcasting. We’re going to cover what each gear’s intended purpose is and whether you would need it or not.
Getting to know your Gear – The Best PC Gear for Streaming, Vlogging and YouTubing Explained
Having the best PC gear for streaming doesn’t really give you a definite edge when it comes to views. In fact, PewDiePie, one of the biggest channels on YouTube, didn’t upgrade his camera until just a few years ago. Sure, some of his fans were making fun of it, but they still watched his content, regardless.
If you’re seriously considering starting a career as a streamer or content creator, then here are some of the PC gear you should know about:
The Best PC Gear for Streaming – Cameras
Having a good camera to start your streaming career is a big plus. If you have an old DSLR from Canon or an action camera lying around somewhere collecting dust, then you’re already done with step 1. However, if you’re absolutely starting from scratch, what we recommend is finding something within your budget.
The question is… do you need a webcam or are you planning to get an actual camera? This is a question that only you could answer. For game streamers, I think having a decent webcam is a no-brainer. However, for vloggers, having the versatility to handle both is always a plus.
Here are some recommendations we have for cameras.
Best PC Gear for Streaming on a Budget
Logitech C922 Pro
For starting streamers, the point of a webcam is giving the viewers an idea of who they are watching. With the Logitech C922 Pro, you will get a decent webcam that can record 1080P 30FPS or 720P 60FPS. While it won’t give you a professional-looking depth of field, it will give you really nice quality as long as you feed ample lighting into your background.
Best PC Gear for Streaming – The Industry-Standard Camera
Sony Alpha a6300
What hasn’t more been said about this camera? If you look at the reviews from YouTube and the internet, you won’t be surprised why we are recommending this. Simply put, it’s one of the best mirrorless cameras for content creation. Sure, the price may be over a thousand bucks, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re making money out of your content.
Pro-tip: If you observe most game streamers, they often dedicate only a small portion of the screen overlay for their face cam. For that small a size, even 720P cameras would look decent.
Best PC Gear for Streaming – Audio Equipment
If you’re a casual viewer, it’s okay to assume that a 30-dollar microphone or headset is as good as the more expensive ones. However, if you’re planning to stream, then you’re not doing this only for yourself but for the enjoyment of your viewers.
If you’re serious about having the best PC gear for streaming, vlogging, and everything else, then it’s important to learn about audio recording. Fortunately for you, there are two avenues you can choose – simple or professional. Let’s talk about it in detail down below:
Simple Setup
All you would need is a good-quality headset with a decent microphone. This would cost around 100 bucks. But if you want more quality for a little more cash, then we recommend getting a pair of headphones and a USB microphone, aka the Semi-Professional Setup (see below)
Professional Setup
Expect to spend at least 200 bucks minimum to get yourself started. Decent audio equipment should start with either a sound mixer or an audio interface, a pair of studio monitoring headphones (can be subjective) and speakers, and an XLR microphone.
What is an Audio Interface?
An audio interface is basically the one in charge of all the sound going in and out of your computer. It works independently, and you can adjust every setting in real-time. This is where all your recording and audio equipment go: from microphones, headphones, and speakers.
Why it’s important
The best PC gear for streaming, vlogging, and YouTubing is using some kind of audio interface to record professional audio for content creation purposes. Simply put, if you’re making money out of your videos, then you should also be investing in your audio equipment.
What is a Condenser Microphone?
A condenser microphone is commonly used by musicians to record the voice, the character, and the general vibe of the room. In gaming, some streamers prefer to let people hear the subtle clicks and keystrokes coming from their gear just to make it sound natural. However, now that streamers are more aware of the different types of microphones, more people are leaning towards dynamic cardioid microphones.
Why it’s important
Just like with a nice camera, having that studio-like quality in your voice gives viewers more legitimacy to the content you are sharing. No matter how good a gaming headset is, it’s still pale in comparison to a decent mic.
What is a Capture Card?
As the name implies, it is used for capturing something. In this case, we’re talking about your live gameplay. When you start streaming for an extended period of time, your computer will start eating up your memory. Once all your reserved memory is used up, expect your computer to take a performance hit – both in streaming and during gameplay.
Why it’s important
Have you ever watched someone’s stream and you got turned off because the feed is lagging consistently after an hour of watching? That’s because the streamer’s resources are all used up. This can mean lesser views in the future. If you want to have peace of mind for all your streams and recordings, then having a capture card is a must.
Best PC Gaming Gear for Streaming – All-in-One Solution
Headset – SteelSeries Arctis 5
Available in Black or White, the SteelSeries Arctis 5 is the Arctis 7’s younger brother with all the bells and whistles, except being tethered by wires. If you’re looking for the best PC gear for streaming your games with minimal effort, then you will love these pair of headsets for less than a hundred bucks!
If you want something more, but you’re not willing to spend over 200 bucks, then check this out.
Best PC Gaming Gear for Streaming – Semi-Professional Setup (Microphone and Headphones)
Samson Q2U Dynamic Microphone
Being a huge audio dork myself, I believe that the best PC gear for streaming should always have decent audio equipment. The Samson Q2U might not look like a microphone most streamers use. However, if you are on a tight budget and looking for something decent that you can both use on a computer or with an audio interface/mixer, this is a good option.
While you can also opt for the Samson 29/C01UPRO USB Microphone, Silver condenser microphone, we don’t recommend getting one, especially if you live in a very noisy environment. Plus, it’s USB only. If you plan on upgrading down the line, you’re going to end up buying a new mic.
Samson SR850 Semi Open-Back Studio Headphones
If you’re not willing to spend the extra hundred bucks on fancy gaming headsets that promise surround sound, wait till you hear what decent stereo headphones can actually do for 50 bucks. While this pair of headphones is considered entry-level, they are very decent sounding. And thanks to its semi-open-back design, the soundstage is ear-opening for casual listeners.
Simply plug it in your computer, and use an external microphone, and you got yourself semi-professional quality equipment for less than 200 bucks.
Best PC Gaming Gear for Streaming – The Pro
People who have this setup are not only full-time streamers, they are also audio engineers, music producers, as well as artists. You don’t really have to go this route unless you can afford it. Completing the setup can cost more than a midrange laptop.
Oh, and one other thing. Once you start exploring the world of high-fidelity audio, there’s no going back. Consider yourself warned…
For this setup, you would need a professional microphone, a pair of headphones, a pair of studio monitors, and most importantly, your audio interface. To give you an idea, this is what the best PC gear for streaming and content creation would look like:
Audio Interface – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen)
Focusrite has had a very long and reputable record of providing industry-standard gear at consumer-friendly prices when it comes to audio interface devices. This 3rd-generation Scarlett 2i2 is more than capable for your streaming needs as it has 2 inputs, 2 outputs that are both clean and crisp-sounding.
For 180 bucks, you are going to get one of the best entry-level audio interfaces out there. If you’re looking to get the best PC gear for streaming and everything else, then the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a must-have.
Headphones – Audio Technica ATHM50X
This is one of the most controversial pairs of headphones in the last decade because of its price-to-performance offering. More than a decade ago, people were already introduced to the ATH-M50. Because of its hype, Audio Technica decided to create a new version just to stay relevant.
While you can find other pairs of cans for less than $130 bucks, there’s something about the sound signature of the ATH-M50x that gives us this satisfying sound. Which is, then again, a love me/hate me kind of thing for some prosumers. Your mileage may vary.
Studio Monitor Speakers (optional) – JBL LSR305 MKII
While having studio monitors is a bit optional for people on the budget, it’s still something you might want to consider in the future. Having a good pair of studio monitor speakers can help you hear your footage the way it is intended for your viewers. This gives you the option to tweak your settings to achieve the proper balance between your voice and the game itself.
A pair of JBL LSR305 MKII would cost you around 300 bucks. While it’s not cheap by any means, it’s still something that would blow you away especially when you get to compare it to more expensive speakers.
Microphone – Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone
You’ve probably seen this microphone being used by all the big-time game streamers – and for good reason. The Shure SM7B is one of the best podcasting and performance microphones you can get your hands on. The cardioid pattern of this microphone is perfect for capturing all the details of your voice without worrying about the background noise.
However, the best PC gear for streaming comes at a price. For $400 bucks, this is arguably the last microphone you would ever need. Consider this your end-game microphone.
Peripheral – Elgato HD60 S+ Capture Card
In order to obtain the best PC gear for streaming, recording, and everything else, then it’s important to get your hands on the Elgato HD60 S+ capture card. It has all the bells and whistles of a modern capture card, and it’s compatible with computers and consoles! While the $200 price tag may deter you from getting it, it’s still something worth considering.
If you see yourself broadcasting your gameplay footage for hours on end, then you would need a dedicated capture card to keep your feed fresh and lag-free. The problem with GPU-enabled recorders is that they all have a certain recording threshold. Once your computer has used all its usable memory, expect your feed to suffer.
Peripheral (optional) – Elgato Stream Deck
The Elgato Stream Deck is probably one of the most coveted macro switch panels that completes the best PC gear for streaming and broadcasting. The Stream Deck has over 15 customizable LCD keys that are highly customizable and easy to operate.
If you’re the type of streamer that uses a bunch of soundboards and shortcuts, then you will enjoy what this can do for only $127 bucks! However, this is something we would consider as a premium upgrade. In reality, you don’t really need an Elgato Stream Deck – but we want one, regardless!
Disclaimer: The recommendations posted on this site are purely in the author’s personal opinion. Audio quality is very subjective so do your own research to truly maximize your investment.
Conclusion
There you have it! Three different options for your streaming needs! We hope you’ve learned a thing or two on how to get the best PC gear for streaming and content creation! Remember, these are purely recommendations. You can get something cheaper or more expensive depending on your needs.
For more tips, tricks, and everything gaming-related, be sure to bookmark us so that we can keep you updated with the latest tips and tricks coming from the tech world. Are you also a CS:GO player? Be sure to check out the best PC Gear for CS:GO.
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
