Recently, streaming has become a real trend. Many want to grab a tidbit and become popular, like the rest, more experienced streamers. But in order to collect at least the most minimal audience, you need to get a high-quality computer system. We'll have to choose a processor for the stream and other devices.
Live broadcast
What is streaming? This is a live broadcast in real time. You need to stream using the appropriate service and program. The most popular option is now considered Twitch, on which everyone can freely conduct live broadcasts, although it is necessary to follow certain rules of the service.
More recently, the popular video hosting has introduced the ability to stream on your website. It's about Youtube. Here you can also customize your broadcasts and monetize them.
In addition to resources, it is also necessary to install a special program. There may be several, but the most popular is OBS. It can be downloaded for free from the official site. There are also other programs, but often they will have to give money.
Finally, the stream cannot be started without a computer system and auxiliary devices.
Required Devices
Before you look for a processor for a stream, you have to figure out what you basically need to start a live broadcast.
In addition to the computer, you will need to acquire a high-quality microphone. It all depends on what streams you are going to spend. It’s best to buy a universal microphone that is suitable for both conversational and gaming broadcasts.
Some will also need a webcam. Although some say that the game stream can be carried out without a webcam, but most of the audience now pay attention to the channels where you can see the streamer.
Finally, it will be difficult to do without headphones, and they must be very comfortable so that you can sit in them for a long time. If you want to use speakers, keep in mind that viewers can hear the background.
Computer assembly
So, it’s better to build a computer for the stream yourself. Of course, you can buy a ready-made system, but you have to make sure that, if necessary, you can replace a component without compromising compatibility.
If you still decide to build a computer yourself, you can start with a component that is more important to you. Usually, users pay most attention to the process and the video card. Having decided on them, you need to choose a motherboard.
In this case, it is important that all components are compatible. Next, you need to choose the RAM, hard drive (preferably a solid state drive) and a power supply.
Stream Theme
Some novice streamers believe that a video card is important for a high-quality stream, and the processor is a secondary matter. But this opinion is incorrect, since both components are important, as, indeed, are the rest.
It’s not easy to choose the best processor for the stream, because first you need to decide on the topic. What is meant?
If you've ever watched live streams on Twitch or YouTube, you know that they are completely different. If previously streamers were engaged only in game content, now there are music, dance or just conversational streams.
Obviously, for a game broadcast you need a very powerful computer, respectively, a productive processor and video card. If you just want to chat with the audience and conduct music or dance streams, then the system can be more affordable.
Of course, it’s best to immediately get a productive system so that there are no questions for it, but if you want to save money, it’s better to immediately decide on the streams and the necessary technical equipment.
Budget assembly
Which processor to stream to choose if you have a limited budget? Again, you should understand that a lot depends on the PC assembly, it is important that the components are compatible with each other. In addition, some processors may not fully reveal the graphics card.
For example, if you buy an Intel Core 2 Duo, and pair it with an Nvidia GTX 1070 graphics card, then it will work at the processor level and cannot be more productive than the chip allows.
For the simplest conversational stream or for streaming light indie games, you can take a closer look at the Intel Pentium G4560. This is a very simple and budget processor, but it does a good job of running broadcasts and OBS.
Mid-range device
What processor is needed for streams? If we are talking about more or less ample opportunities, but you do not plan to broadcast on cool gaming innovations, you can take a closer look at Intel Core i5 processors.
These processors do a good job of streaming games and game broadcasts. It is best to take a closer look at the Kaby Lake family and later. These are the most productive and fastest chips.
By the way, the eighth generation of Intel Core i5 processors runs on 6 cores, and therefore can cope better with OBS.
Such a processor paired with an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics card allows you to stream games such as CS: GO, Dota 2, World of Tanks and all the popular online games. Perhaps problems will be observed in PUBG and similar more resource-intensive games. Will have to experiment with the settings in the game itself.
Powerful systems
The processor for streaming games with high-quality settings, as well as gaming innovations that turn out to be very demanding, you need to choose wisely. In this case, it is best to take a closer look at the latest Intel Core i7 series. It is also best to choose the Kaby Lake family and later.
Such processors can work with software coding and not produce any braking. For example, you can look at the Intel Core i7-8700K. This is a universal version of the processor that can easily cope with high resolutions, but streaming in 4K may not work.
To do this, you will have to buy an Intel Core i7-9700K, running on eight cores with eight threads. Many professional streamers believe that a more powerful processor is definitely not needed, since such a purchase will be inappropriate.
AMD processors
It is extremely rare for streamers to build PCs choose chips from AMD. If you look at the configuration of computers of leading streamers, then all of them give preference to Intel and Nvidia products.
In general, the struggle between Intel and AMD lasts a rather long time. If you have the means, you are more likely to purchase Intel products. But this attitude to AMD is due to the fact that earlier the chips emitted a lot of heat, heated up and required a powerful cooling system.
Now the situation has changed somewhat, although the temperatures of the processors are still elevated. Nevertheless, AMD copes no worse than Intel, it just requires more precise settings.
You can pay attention to the Ryzen 7 2700X - a good processor for a stream that can handle both high resolution and high bitrate. If this device seems expensive to you, you can choose the Ryzen 5 2600X.