Streaming PC Build Calculator

Recommend hardware specs for streaming at your target quality.

Stream Resolution (0=720, 1=1080, 2=1440, 3=4K)

Frame Rate

fps

Game Streaming (0=No, 1=Yes)

Encoder (0=CPU, 1=GPU)

Tab to move between fields

Est. Budget

$860.00

≈ 10 nice dinners out

RAM Needed16 GB

CPU Cores6

GPU VRAM6 GB

Upload Speed8 Mbps

How to Use This Calculator

Set the target streaming resolution (720p, 1080p, 1440p, or 4K) and frame rate.
Enter the game titles you plan to stream to load their CPU/GPU benchmarks.
Input your budget in USD.
Review the Recommended CPU, GPU, RAM, and Capture Card specifications.
Use the Encoding Headroom percentage to verify the build handles streaming alongside gaming without frame drops.

What each input means

Stream Resolution (0=720, 1=1080, 2=1440, 3=4K): 0 = 720p, 1 = 1080p, 2 = 1440p, 3 = 4K.
Frame Rate: Target stream frame rate (30 or 60 fps).
Game Streaming (0=No, 1=Yes): 0 = camera/presentation only, 1 = streaming while gaming.
Encoder (0=CPU, 1=GPU): 0 = CPU encoding (x264, better quality), 1 = GPU encoding (NVENC, less CPU load).

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Stream Resolution (0=720, 1=1080, 2=1440, 3=4K) = 1, Frame Rate = 60, Game Streaming (0=No, 1=Yes) = 1, Encoder (0=CPU, 1=GPU) = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
Calculate Est. Budget
Est. Budget
860 = $860
Calculate RAM Needed
RAM Needed
16 = 16
Calculate CPU Cores
CPU Cores
6 = 6