{"id":8507,"date":"2022-02-22T22:46:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T22:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/?p=8507"},"modified":"2022-12-31T15:34:30","modified_gmt":"2022-12-31T15:34:30","slug":"5-best-capture-cards-for-streamers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/5-best-capture-cards-for-streamers\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Best Capture Cards For Streamers &#8211; [Full Buyers guide 2023]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The one factor that distinguishes just \u201cgamers\u201d from streamers is the process of recording gameplay in a high-quality format. The component that\u2019s directly responsible for doing that is the capture card. You definitely need one if you want to show off your legendary gaming moments and make them live on in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there\u2019s a wide range of streamers out there, and they all have varying requirements. Some prefer to stream in 1080p and others in 4K; some in 30 FPS and others in 60 FPS. No matter which niche you fall into, I\u2019m confident that you\u2019ll find the right capture card for yourself on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Exactly is a Capture Card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you\u2019ve been a part of the live streaming industry, it\u2019s safe to say that you probably don\u2019t know a whole lot about capture cards. It\u2019s simply not a component that the average PC gamer considers. So, let\u2019s talk about what a capture card is, what it\u2019s good at, and why it\u2019s necessary for a high-quality and professional stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At its core, a capture card is responsible for \u201ccapturing\u201d the audio and video source from a PC or console and converting it into digital data to either be streamed live online or to be recorded and stored on an HDD or SSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capture cards come in two forms: internal and external. Internal ones connect directly into the PC\u2019s motherboard PCIe slot whereas external ones use a combination of HDMI and USB cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, this is only the technical aspect of capture cards. Aesthetics, software, and case compatibility matter just as much as any other component. We\u2019ll discuss those points further in each review. So, now that you know some facts about capture cards, let\u2019s dive into our list of the top 5 best ones for streamers in 2022\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 5 Best Capture Cards for Streamers in 2022:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Elgato HD60 S+ &#8211; <strong>Best All Round<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SPECS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Max Quality (Capture): 1080p<\/li><li>Max Quality (Passthrough): 4K<\/li><li>Max Framerate: 60 FPS<\/li><li>Connectivity: USB<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Elgato, owned by Corsair, has pretty much dominated the capture card market. The Elgato HD60 S+ stands at the forefront of their product line and is their most popular and highly-rated offering. It\u2019s the right pick for anyone who wants to get going with a decent stream quality without much hassle in terms of opening up their PC and messing around with software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s talk about the most important feature of all: capturing. The HD60 S+ can easily record gameplay at 1080p 60 FPS; you can push it to 4K, but then your framerate would be bottlenecked down to 30 FPS. In terms of compatibility, it works with PC, consoles, and Mac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes down to it, the Elgato HD60 S+ is your best bet if you\u2019re new to the streaming niche and want to get your channel off the ground as fast as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>HDR10 capability<\/li><li>Includes an editing suite for trimming your videos<\/li><li>Useful Flashback Recording feature for the moments where you forget to hit \u201cRecord\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Requires a mid-range PC to function properly<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus &#8211; <strong>Best on a Budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SPECS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Max Quality (Capture): 1080p<\/li><li>Max Quality (Passthrough): 4K<\/li><li>Max Framerate: 60 FPS<\/li><li>Connectivity: USB<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re on a budget but still want the convenience and benefits of a capture card AVerMedia has you covered with their Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus. Despite the lower price tag compared to other options like the Razer Ripsaw HD and the Elgato HD60 S+, it doesn\u2019t skimp on any technical capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, it can easily stream at 1080p 60 FPS and also offers 4K passthrough. This means that even if you\u2019re not recording in 4K, you can still enjoy your game at that resolution nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being an external card, there\u2019s also the option of PC-free recording, opening up the possibility of console-based streaming too. Moreover, this capture card also allows you to store your recorded content on a Micro SD card, which is definitely convenient. Besides that, it also sports a gamer-friendly aesthetic, a portable form-factor, and plug-and-play functionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>4K60 passthrough<\/li><li>Vibrant RGB lights<\/li><li>Extra features like headset commentary and console party chat<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Not yet updated to support the Apple M1 chip<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Razer Ripsaw HD &#8211; <strong>Best Value for Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SPECS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Max Quality (Capture): 1080p<\/li><li>Max Quality (Passthrough): 4K<\/li><li>Max Framerate: 60 FPS<\/li><li>Connectivity: USB<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Razer makes some killer peripherals, like keyboards, mice, and headphones, but the Ripsaw HD proves that they\u2019re not far behind with capture cards either. Sporting a stealthy and elegant design, this capture card excels strikes a balance between performance and price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only downside to this capture card is that it lacks any proprietary software: you can only use OBS or XSplit. This shouldn\u2019t be a problem for most streamers, as they use those by default in the first place. Since it doesn\u2019t include any software, it comes with physical mic and headphone jacks, which definitely adds a level of convenience and professionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything considered, the Ripsaw HD might not be the cheapest capture card on this list, but it definitely provides the best value for your money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Optimized for XBOX<\/li><li>1080p60 streaming and 4K60 passthrough<\/li><li>Great build quality and design<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Lacks any proprietary software<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. EVGA XR1 &#8211; <strong>Best for Audio Mixing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SPECS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Max Quality (Capture): 1080p<\/li><li>Max Quality (Passthrough): 4K<\/li><li>Max Framerate: 60 FPS<\/li><li>Connectivity: USB<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although EVGA is mostly known for their graphics cards and AIO coolers, with the XR1 they\u2019ve also offered a solid capture card. Besides offering the general features that other capture cards offer, like 1080p 60 FPS recording and 4K passthrough, it also has an extra premium feature in the form of an audio mixer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Placed prominently on top of the device, it not only has a big control dial to adjust mic input and game volume, but also shows sound levels with a series of LEDs. Besides that, it has USB 3.0 for the lowest latency possible on an external capture card and also allows you to use a DSLR camera as your webcam. If you\u2019re going that route, be sure to check out my post on the <a href=\"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/best-dslr-cameras-for-streamers\/\">Best DSLR Cameras for Streamers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, the EVGA XR1 is an impressive standalone external capture card, but it also offers good aesthetics and an audio mixer to add to that. So, it\u2019s a perfect pick for streamers who have a knack for audio mixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Certified for OBS<\/li><li>Built-in audio mixer<\/li><li>Compatible with a DSLR webcam<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Expensive<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 &#8211; <strong>Best for 4K Streaming<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SPECS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Max Quality (Capture): 4K<\/li><li>Max Quality (Passthrough): 4K<\/li><li>Max Framerate: 60 FPS<\/li><li>Connectivity: PCIe x4<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a high-end streamer who just wants the best quality possible and has a big budget, no need to look further than the Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2. Although you\u2019ll need a beast of a PC to fully utilize it, with a max bitrate 140 MBPS, it\u2019s your best option if you want to provide the highest resolution and framerate for your stream viewers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being an internal capture card, the Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 is likely to experience a lot of heat inside your PC case as well. Fortunately, armored with a black electrogalvanized-steel casing along with multiple grills, it also has solid build quality to protect itself and last long term without any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 is meant for a small niche market in terms of the price level and feature set, but it satisfies that specific purpose very well. So, if you fall into the category of a high-end streamer, definitely give this one a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Makes 4K60 streaming possible<\/li><li>No setup is required aside from installation; plug and play<\/li><li>Stealthy design<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Expensive; only viable for professional streamers<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Internal or External Capture Card: Which is Better?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you might\u2019ve noticed, this list includes both external and internal capture cards. So, you might be wondering, which one is better for live streaming? The answer is that it depends on your budget level and use case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several differences between the two, but the primary one is that internal capture cards connect directly to your PC\u2019s motherboard via a PCIe slot, whereas external capture cards use an HDMI and USB connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although internal capture cards offer the lowest latency possible, they generally sell at a premium and can only be used on a desktop PC. On the other hand, external capture cards aren\u2019t as fast but are budget-friendly and portable too. So, it just comes down to your specific requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the above list, when it comes to external capture cards, some of the best options are the Elgato HD60 S+ and the Razer Ripsaw HD; for internal ones, the Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 is a great option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Not Just Use OBS Instead?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout this article, you might be asking yourself, \u201cWhy buy a dedicated capture card when I can just use OBS or some other third-party capture software instead?\u201d The truth is, that might work for some streamers, but overall if you want to have a high-quality stream, a capture card is essential. Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With software like that, you are putting a lot of extra load on your PC. Beside running the game you\u2019re playing and doing other minor tasks in the background, it also has to capture and encode your gameplay live. This can lower your framerate significantly, especially if you want to stream at a high bit-rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, 5th Gen Ryzen CPUs as well as 11th Gen Intel Alder Lake CPUs have gotten pretty good at multitasking performance. However, there\u2019s really nothing like a dedicated capture card. It will not only give you a smooth and high-quality stream but also make your PC run smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which is the Best Capture Card for Console Streaming?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also a small niche of live streamers who don\u2019t use a PC; only a console like a PS5 or Xbox One X. If you\u2019re one of those, fear not! This list still has you covered.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a console streamer, you have many options at hand if you want to stream. If you\u2019re on XBOX, you can get Facebook Gaming or the official Twitch app. To add to that, PlayStation also offers competitive options. In fact, Nintendo Switch is the only one that doesn\u2019t have any kind of in-built streaming tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the same issue with PCs comes into light here. Because these consoles don\u2019t really have the processing power necessary to run games, capture them, and stream them at the same time, the result can often be stuttery and glitchy. An external capture card can help carry the extra load so to say, and make for an error-free and smooth stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of that, the three best options on this list are the Razer Ripsaw HD, the EVGA XR1, and the Elgato HD60 S+. If you\u2019re a console gamer \u2014 XBOX, PlayStation, or Switch \u2014 you can\u2019t go wrong with any of these. They mostly serve the same function with slight variations in price and features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wrap Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the top five best capture cards you can buy in 2022. Not only do they have impressive overall technical capabilities but each of them also has some unique features which make them especially suitable for niche users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the EVGA XR1 has an in-built audio mixer, which makes it perfect for streamers who consider sound just as important as video for their content. On the other hand, the Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 has a PCIe connection, which makes data transfer speeds blazingly fast. With that being said, here\u2019s a quick round-up of all the capture cards we discussed in this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Elgato HD60 S+ is <strong>Best All Round<\/strong><\/li><li>AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus is <strong>Best on a Budget<\/strong><\/li><li>Razer Ripsaw HD is <strong>Best Value for Money<\/strong><\/li><li>EVGA XR1 is <strong>Best for Audio Mixing<\/strong><\/li><li>Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 is <strong>Best for 4K Streaming<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Check out the best capture cards for streamers with this full buyers guide. Ensure you get the best capture card for your specific setup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":8511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Scott Wilcox","author_link":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/author\/dmorneaumiladreusa-com\/"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224.png",1120,630,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-150x84.png",150,84,true],"medium":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-768x432.png",768,432,true],"large":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-1024x576.png",770,433,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224.png",1120,630,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224.png",1120,630,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-270x180.png",270,180,true],"contentberg-main":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-770x515.png",770,515,true],"contentberg-main-full":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-1120x508.png",1120,508,true],"contentberg-slider-stylish":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-900x515.png",900,515,true],"contentberg-slider-carousel":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-370x370.png",370,370,true],"contentberg-slider-grid-b":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-554x466.png",554,466,true],"contentberg-slider-grid-b-sm":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-306x466.png",306,466,true],"contentberg-slider-bold-sm":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-150x150.png",150,150,true],"contentberg-grid":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-370x245.png",370,245,true],"contentberg-list":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-260x200.png",260,200,true],"contentberg-list-b":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-370x305.png",370,305,true],"contentberg-thumb":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-87x67.png",87,67,true],"contentberg-thumb-alt":["https:\/\/getonstream.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Net-Worth-Template-2022-02-22T224606.224-150x150.png",150,150,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Scott Wilcox","author_link":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/author\/dmorneaumiladreusa-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":1,"uagb_excerpt":"Check out the best capture cards for streamers with this full buyers guide. Ensure you get the best capture card for your specific setup.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8507"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17909,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8507\/revisions\/17909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8507"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getonstream.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=8507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}