The 8 Best PCs for Streaming

When it comes to streaming video games on Twitch, your average PC just doesn’t make the cut anymore.

To play fast pace high fps games or get the most out of cinematic storyline games operating at high graphics, you need a machine whose processor and graphics card can handle the load.

Furthermore, if you’re going to be gaming and broadcasting from the same computer, you will need a rock solid streaming PC that can handle both loads without lagging.

The PC space is highly competitive and filled with products with similar specs and price points. Just take for example the battle between the top selling champion, Corsair One i64 and the rising contender, Skytech Archangel. But which one is the best PC for streaming?

Overview of the Best Streaming PC’s

The Corsair One i64 and The Skytech Archangel, are only scratching the surface of the monstrous PC world.

There’s a bunch of other streaming PCs with varying specs and price points, from reputable companies, that could suit your streaming needs.

What to Expect

Here’s what you’ll learn in this streaming PC breakdown:

• Which PCs are best suited for streaming and gaming (single-PC streamer setup).
• PCs that would make the perfect standalone streaming rig (dual-PC streamer setup).
• Which PC specs are most important for streaming.
• Options for the budget streamer, and the “I want the best PC, regardless of price” streamer.

1. Corsair One i64

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

The first thing you’ll notice about the i64 is that it is incredibly compact and well built. It’s great to be able to have a desktop that’s small (and quiet) enough to sit on a desk, instead of under it.

The CPU is Intel’s eight-core Core i9-9900K, while the GPU is NVIDIA’s top-end GeForce RTX 2080 Ti.

For both the CPU and GPU, there’s plenty of memory for the dedicated streamer or video game buff.

Both the CPU and GPU in the i64 are liquid cooled. While the CPU is cooled with a single-size radiator, the massive NVIDIA Turing GPU is being cooled by a radiator twice the size.

The 9900K is the best CPU when it comes to pure gaming performance.

Supporting buttery smooth gameplay and fast stream speed, the Corsair One i64 is the best prebuilt PC options for streamers available in today’s market.

Pros

• Top-tier components.
• Improved airflow.
• Great performance.
• RTX 2080 Ti ensures superior gaming performance, even at 4K.
• Compact case with small footprint.

Cons

• Limited upgradability
• High price
• Uses older Z370 chipset

2. SkyTech Archangel Gaming Computer

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Not ideal. Best used for dual-pc setups.

SkyTech’s Archangel desktop PC build proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune for a solid streaming PC.

With its futuristic, Sci-fi esque design, the Archangel continues to be a real head-turner when it comes to PC aesthetics

When it comes to streaming power, the Archangel puts out some surprising benchmarks given the price point.

The Archangel’s Ryzen 3600 CPU straddles a middle ground between an i5 and i7 in terms of CPU power.

We found the GPU to provide a similar middle of the road experience, with a solid performance at 1080p but some slow down at higher resolutions.

All being said, this PC can handle your individual streaming and gaming needs: although we don’t suggest using this PC for both those uses at the same time.

Pros

• Top-tier components.
• Improved airflow.
• Great performance.
• RTX 2080 Ti ensures superior gaming performance, even at 4K.
• Compact case with small footprint.

Cons

• Limited upgradability
• High price
• Uses older Z370 chipset

Check out these laptops for Twitch streaming if you’re wanting something more portable.

3. HP Omen Obelisk

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

The Obelisk is highly customizable, starting with a GTX 1060 and the 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8700 (or Ryzen alternatives if you prefer AMD) and reaching up some top class parts.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Obelisk is the price tag. Despite a new, high-end RTX card and that rock solid CPU (as well as 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and 2TB HDD), the Obelisks comes in just under $2,000.

This is largely due to HP trimming off all the non-essential frills that tend to pad out the price of a number of similarly specced machines.

One awesome thing about this Omen Obelisk configuration is that it touts the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080.

This, we want to mention again, is a GPU far superior than the 1080 and has certain advantages over the 1080 Ti that the Omen Desktop has, like flawlessly handing a dual monitor setup for streaming.

Not only does it run faster, but it also allows for real-time ray tracing and deep learning supersampling (DLSS), which is an improvement over traditional Temporal Anti-Aliasing.

With the announcement of the PS5 and the XBOX, a new generation of games, all utilizing ray tracing, are ready to be introduced.

With options available from $900 all the way to $3000 range, you can choose your specs to have a more customized experience with a prebuilt PC.

The higher end version of the Omen will cater to all of your heavy load gaming and streaming needs.

Pros

• Excellent case quality.
• Ready for 4K gaming as configured.
• Factory-customizable.
• Removable dust filter.
• Capable of high-frame-rate 1440p and 60fps 4K gaming

Cons

• Liquid cooling only available with CPU upgrades.
• No flash card reader.
• Only basic audio-outs.

4. Alienware Aurora R11

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

Over the years, Alienware has cemented its place in the PC world. Thanks to their distinctive Sci-Fi design, almost everyone in the PC space has either owned or at least talked about Alienware’s unique design.

All that being said, this is an extremely powerful and lightning fast machine. The Aurora R11 offers four different configurations of Comet Lake CPU: the i5 10400F, i7 10700, i7 10700K, and i9 10900.

They’re paired with Nvidia GPUs from the GTX 1650 up to the RTX 2080 Super.

That gives you a range of Alienware gaming machines from affordable 1080p right up to 4K smashing performance.

The Alienware AIO cooling system will help keep the case at a reasonable temperature, when you’re churning out content at its maximum capacity.

It does have to be said that there is an Alienware premium attached whichever components you choose.

However, the higher-than-average price provides you with reliable build quality, exceptional customer service, and solid warranties.

The numerous pre-fab options offered by Alienware also help eliminate much of the guesswork associated with customizing your system.

Some options provide better value for the parts used, but for hassle-free PC gaming out of the box, it’s tough to beat the ease of use that Alienware provides.

Ranging from $1099 to $2549, the R11 offers the opportunity for both new users and veterans to indulge in high speeds and premium build quality.

Hailed as the best Gaming PC for 2020 by many, you will surely be in safe hands with Alienware and the R11.

Pros

• Tough build quality.
• Excellent performance.
• Two GTX 260s in SLI.
• Relatively cool and quiet.
• Affordable Price Tag.

Cons

• Can be loud.
• Video cards block expansion slots.
• Cramped case discourages tinkering.

5. CyberPowerPC Gamer Extreme VR

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Not ideal. Best used for dual-pc setups.

Packing a Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GTX 3060TI graphics card, this desktop can run mainstream games at high settings and even handle virtual reality without much of a sweat.

The Gamer Xtreme VR has long been a favorite at top online retailers, and for good reason.

On top of its strong performance and low starting price, this machine has a fairly sleek and flashy design, complete with custom RGB lighting both on the fans and within the case.

The Gamer extreme is a great starter PC for gamers and streamers and would make for a great standalone streaming PC.

Since it is is very easy to open up, it makes for an amazing starting point for gamers who eventually want to upgrade to more powerful parts.

Pros

• Performance dynamo, including 4K gaming.
• VR Ready.
• Clean, well-designed interior.

Cons

• Could use more RAM.

6. NZXT Streaming PC

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

The NZXT streaming PC is a midtower gaming PC designed with streamers in mind.

It’s a preconfigured, quick-to-ship machine, it’s assembled from aftermarket components in one of NZXT’s sleek cases.

This is a strong PC capable to run today’s AAA games and esports titles at 1080p or 1440p resolution.

It’s a good value next to mainstream offerings from Dell and other competitors, even one-upping them with a two-year warranty.

Quiet cooling, a sleek minimalist look, and plenty of expansion room, the NZXT Streaming PC Plus is our favorite among value-oriented, prebuilt gaming PCs.

This PC can easily handle all of your high Fps and streaming needs.

If NZXT is good enough for Ninja’s gaming setup, then surely it’ll be good enough for you!

Pros

• Best bang for buck.
• Plenty of pep for modern gaming at 1440p.
• Name-brand parts and quality construction.
• Runs stealthy.
• Two-year warranty.

Cons

• No media card reader.

7. MSI Trident A Plus

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

The Trident is the most compact gaming desktop right now, boasting immense power under its hood. For superb performance, it offers 12th-generation Intel Core 7 processors, up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card and 32GB of memory.

While it’s not necessarily kitted out, it still spells sheer power. This powerful streaming PC also delivers customizable Mystic Light RGB LED design

Trident will play any current single-player game at this resolution and at Very High settings.

There’s also sufficient power to handle eSports games at beyond 100fps – so those competitive games can run at frame rates ideal for super-smooth high refresh rate screens.

The MSI Trident A is one of the best small-form-factor gaming PCs on the market.

It’s cleverly designed for easier internal access and cool, quiet operation; it looks good, and is half the size of conventional PCs, so it’s easier to accommodate and better for travel.

Replacing the original i5 with an i7 in the United States, helps transform your PC into a beast. It doesn’t go to say, that this PC can definitely handle high loads and can sustain and work well with your gameplay and stream loads.

Pros

• Slim, low-profile design.
• Powerful performance and graphics.
• Close-to-60fps rates at 4K in recent AAA games.

Cons

• No tool-free upgradability.

8. iBuyPower Snowblind

Compatible for a Single-PC Streamer? Yes.

There’s no gaming PC that quite catches the eye like the iBuyPower Snowblind.

This PCs side panel is a translucent, fully functioning LCD display.

You can customize this panel to show off intricate animated wallpapers, monitor your PC performance, and much more!

With lots of reasonably priced configuration options that support high-end components as an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti GPU, the SnowBlind is a solid all-around PC for all of your gaming needs.

If you’re the type of gaming PC enthusiast who values aesthetics as much as strong performance, the iBuyPower Snowblind is one of the most unique and impressive desktops out there.

Pros

• Unique transparent LCD side panel.
• Great cable management.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Side LCD looks best only with specific components backing it.

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The Final Verdict

Since the PC market is competitive and filled to the brim with products, you need to weigh what specific requirements you’re looking for in your streamer setup.

That being said, if you’re looking for the best streaming PC able to run AAA, high FPS games, and maintain a high quality stream, I would recommend the Corsair One i64.

This powerhouse, loaded with an Intel Core i9-9900K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, can handle all your streaming and gameplay needs effortlessly. You just cant go wrong with i64!

WINNER

Corsair One i64

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