Before you become one of the top streamers on Twitch, you’ll want to make sure that you have a proper Twitch streaming setup.
Let’s delve into everything you’ll need.
The Basics
Here are the basics of what you’ll need—at the very least—to start streaming on Twitch.
A Good Computer
If you’re a gamer, then you know how important it is to have a good computer that will run your games, so they’ll perform at their best.
However, imagine how good your computer will need to be to run your game efficiently, while also streaming your gaming experience to your audience.
Keep this in mind when deciding if the computer that you have is up for the task, or when deciding on the right computer for you to use for your streaming needs.
If you’re in the market for some upgrades, then I highly suggest checking out Ninja’s gaming setup here.
What makes a computer good enough? Well, Twitch recommends that streamers have at least an Intel Core i5-4670 processor, as well as 8GB of RAM and at least Windows 7.
Check out our guide to decide between AMD or Intel for streaming.
You can also stream for a Mac—just make sure it’s new and equally as powerful.
A Twitch Account
It only makes sense that you won’t be able to become a Twitch streamer without a Twitch account.
Set up your Twitch account properly to make sure you are going to be able to stream to your audience and reach them.
Streaming Software
It only makes sense that you won’t be able to stream your gaming experience to a sea of fans over Twitch without the proper streaming software. 
This broadcasting software allows you to display your gaming skills to the world.
Some of the most popular software options include Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), which is absolutely free for users, and XSplit, which offers an interface that is highly intuitive and powerful—but requires a fee to use.
The decision of which software to use is a huge and impactful decision for any streamer, but with a little bit of thinking on whether you want the most advanced features at the cost of a fee, or if you’re happy with only the basic, will help you make the right decision.
Microphone and Camera
If you want your viewers to be able to see and hear you, then it goes without saying why a microphone and a good webcam are a must. If you don’t want to get quite so high-tech, a gaming headset will technically get the job done.
However, it’s best to have a microphone dedicated to allowing your viewers to hear you more clearly.
The best microphones come ranging from around $30 to hundreds of dollars, depending on how advanced you’re looking to get.
Setting a price range for yourself and conducting a little bit of product research will help you determine the model that’s right for you.
Going the Extra Mile
So, there you have it—everything you need to get started streaming on Twitch!
If you’re looking to go the extra mile, however, there are some other Twitch tools and Twitch extensions you can use to help take your Twitch channel to the next level.
After all, there are countless people streaming their gaming skills on Twitch—if you want to give yours a way to stand out, these tools will help to do just that!
Moobot
This free browser-based chat bot is used in many streams and allows for chat moderation or recurring links to your social media accounts or your schedule.
The paid version of the software comes with even more features to allow you to spice up your streaming!
Nightbot
Nightbot is another extremely popular option among Twitch streamers, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that it’s free.
To go along with many standard features of moderation software, Nighbot can also fetch music from places like YouTube or SoundCloud. This offers a wider variety of options for your stream.
In addition, it comes with functions for raffles and polls, allowing you to interact with your audience and make things a little bit more interesting for viewers!
BetterTTV
This Chrome plugin comes from the same makers as Nightbot. However, this extension comes with more viewing improvements and streaming improvements for your Twitch experience as well!
One of the features of BetterTTV that helps increase your convenience while streaming is that you can set up the program to highlight the chat messages that contain your name in them (or any other word of your choosing).
This way, it’s easy to see the messages that are addressed at you or directed towards you, and allows you to filter out the messages of viewers simply talking amongst themselves that don’t particularly pertain to you.
It also comes with features for alternate emotes, polling, chat support with Google Translate, and even more features to create a program that offers an easier and more complete experience on Twitch. Check this guide out if you’re wanting to check Twitch chat logs.
The Verdict
As you can see, you have a lot of options to choose for when it comes to asking yourself, “What equipment do I need to stream on Twitch?”.
You can stick to the basics, and get the most inexpensive options, or if you want the ultimate streaming experience, you can track down the best hardware for Twitch streaming – a capture card is a must for console streamers.
Remember, though, unless you are really planning on being one of the big time Twitch streamers, then any tools that meet the Twitch streaming hardware requirements will be sufficient for your viewers!
So if you’re been wondering, “What do I need to stream on Twitch PC or Mac?”—there you have it!
You can get all of the basic equipment, or you can go the extra mile and get some of the additional programs to further enhance your experience.
Whatever you choose to do, remember—what matters most is the experience you offer your viewers, and you can give them the ultimate experience with basic equipment by simply giving them a good gaming experience to watch!
