Streaming Machine Part Recommendations

[Kelinesh]

Hello everyone,

 

I am a bit new here but I would like some part recommendations for a streaming pc that would capture and upload to twitch from my main gaming rig, as my main PC while under load is peaking at 95% CPU usage (while using my GPU to encode to help keep CPU under 100%).

 

For reference or curiosity, please see this list for my current PC:

 

-Antec 900 Black Steel Mid Tower Case

 

-ASUS Z87-PLUS

 

-EVGA NVidia GTX 780 SC w/ACX Cooler 3GB VRAM

 

-Intel Hazwell Core i5 3450 3.1GHz

 

-Noctua NH-U14S CPU Cooler

 

-G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB (don't remember bus speed or model)

 

-Samsung 850 Pro 250GB SSD

 

-OCZ 750W Power Supply

 

I currently have a EVGA GTX 470 SuperClocked spare and collecting dust, with a possibility of getting a lightly used second, on the cheap, if SLI could help.

 

Link for GPU specs:

https://www.evga.com/Products/Specs/GPU.aspx?pn=B797AF1C-C754-41FE-9E49-3594222BE9FE

 

My questions are, if that GPU is sufficient for a streaming/capture PC and what else I would need. Pretty much, what is the least I can get away with to stay within a ~$200-$300 USD budget to upload 1080p content to Twitch at ~2,200 bitrate.  Would I need a capture card? What are some good choices? Is SLI useful for a capture PC?

 

Also, outside of the PC budget, are there keyboard/mouse switcher options that do not add input lag so I could use my main KB/M on the stream machine to negate the need of additional KB/M on my desk?

 

I appreciate any information anyone can provide!

[OfficialJsP]

Z87 not worth getting if your CPU is not k series also why don't you want your CPU going up to %100 usage? I personally would get a cheaper GPU and a i7 also 750W is a bit overkill.

 

Overall its not worth getting a streaming rig if you are not making money from twitch.

[KemoKa]

Cheaper GPU and an i7. That'll help with the encoding. i5s aren't the best streaming processors, unless you overclock them

 

and there's no point in getting a Z-series motherboard if you get a locked i5.

If you don't want to overclock, get a Xeon E3-1231v3. Similar price as an i5 but has hyperthreading. It's an i7 with no iGPU.

 

and I wouldn't use the 470, even in SLI. Too old, too hot.

[Kelinesh]

Z87 not worth getting if your CPU is not k series also why don't you want your CPU going up to %100 usage? I personally would get a cheaper GPU and a i7 also 750W is a bit overkill.

Please note, that the parts listed there are my CURRENT main rig.  I put it in there just in case someone needed to know.

 

To address, why not 100% usage, I see frame drops and degraded PC performance when my CPU hits 100% in game.

 

I am looking to get help with making a part list that can utilize the spare GTX470 SC I have.

 

My main rig has the Z87Plus for upgrade-ability, but that was years ago when I bought my main rig.

[Kelinesh]

Cheaper GPU and an i7. That'll help with the encoding. i5s aren't the best streaming processors, unless you overclock them

 

and there's no point in getting a Z-series motherboard if you get a locked i5.

If you don't want to overclock, get a Xeon E3-1231v3. Similar price as an i5 but has hyperthreading. It's an i7 with no iGPU.

 

and I wouldn't use the 470, even in SLI. Too old, too hot.

I am starting to realize that most people are skimming the post and reading my main rig as a part list I am inquiring about, I guess I learned my lesson.

[OfficialJsP]

Please note, that the parts listed there are my CURRENT main rig.  I put it in there just in case someone needed to know.

 

To address, why not 100% usage, I see frame drops and degraded PC performance when my CPU hits 100% in game.

 

I am looking to get help with making a part list that can utilize the spare GTX470 SC I have.

 

My main rig has the Z87Plus for upgrade-ability, but that was years ago when I bought my main rig.

 

Yes but %100 would be fine on your streaming rig since you are not playing games on it i7 or xeon would be the best way to go and like I said before its not worth making a 2nd rig for streaming if you are not making any money form twitch.

[Kelinesh]

Yes but %100 would be fine on your streaming rig since you are not playing games on it i7 or xeon would be the best way to go and like I said before its not worth making a 2nd rig for streaming if you are not making any money form twitch.

The 100% on a streaming pc sounds fine, but not my main gaming rig, which was happening.

 

I am looking to purchase the 2nd rig to simply reduce the load on my main machine while maintaining the stream quality.

 

Even if i am not making anything from Twitch currently, it is something I am interested in investing in.

[KemoKa]

I am starting to realize that most people are skimming the post and reading my main rig as a part list I am inquiring about, I guess I learned my lesson.

Well, to be fair, you didn't word it very well.

And I really have to wonder how you got an Ivy Bridge processor working in an 1150 motherboard. That caused some confusion. What you have is a 4440.

 

I would say forget the 470, Not worth holding onto unless it's a special engineering sample you can't let go of. Sell it if you can, put it towards a better processor. What you have there is quite sufficient for streaming on its own... barely.

 

unless you can use Shadowplay.

[OfficialJsP]

The 100% on a streaming pc sounds fine, but not my main gaming rig, which was happening.

 

I am looking to purchase the 2nd rig to simply reduce the load on my main machine while maintaining the stream quality.

 

Even if i am not making anything from Twitch currently, it is something I am interested in investing in.

 

You would be better off just upgrading your CPU to an i7. A lot of streamers that use an i7 when streaming and playing games run fine for them I also find that running game and streaming is smooth for me with my i7 4790k.

[Kelinesh]

Well, to be fair, you didn't word it very well.

And I really have to wonder how you got a Sandy Bridge processor working in an 1150 motherboard. That caused some confusion.

 

I would say forget the 470, Not worth holding onto unless it's a special engineering sample you can't let go of. Sell it if you can, put it towards a better processor. What you have there is quite sufficient for streaming on its own... barely.

 

unless you can use Shadowplay.

I will have to double check my motherboard, I may have listed the wrong one >.< sorry for the poor wording.  Would I be better off getting a new processor/motherboard and just sticking with a single rig solution?

[Kelinesh]

You would be better off just upgrading your CPU to an i7.

Okay, thank you for the input! I appreciate your time and effort!

[KemoKa]

I will have to double check my motherboard, I may have listed the wrong one >.< sorry for the poor wording.  Would I be better off getting a new processor/motherboard and just sticking with a single rig solution?

Stick with the single rig, and upgrade the processor to an i7 down the road, be it a 2600K or a 3770K. I have a 2600K and it streams like a dream. Crazy fast.

 

Subsidize the i7's cost by selling your i5 afterwards.

[Kelinesh]

Stick with the single rig, and upgrade the processor to an i7 down the road, be it a 2600K or a 3770K. I have a 2600K and it streams like a dream. Crazy fast.

 

Subsidize the i7's cost by selling your i5 afterwards.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Out of curiosity, what is the best area to sell used PC parts?  Craigslist? LTT Forums? Other outlets?

[KemoKa]

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Out of curiosity, what is the best area to sell used PC parts?  Craigslist? LTT Forums? Other outlets?

You could sell here but you'll have a relatively small customer base. eBay is the next best bet.

I wouldn't do craigslist... people try and lowball you... or worse, murder you.