GUILDE TO BUILDING STREAMING AND GAMING PC 2025

1. Processor (CPU): The Heart of Your Build

Choosing the CPU is critical because streaming relies heavily on multitasking. Look for processors with:

High Core Counts: Modern streaming software like OBS Studio benefits from CPUs with at least 6-8 cores (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7).

High Clock Speeds: Faster clock speeds ensure smooth gameplay and streaming, especially for CPU-intensive games.

2. Graphics Card (GPU): Gaming and Encoding Power

Choosing the right GPU ensures your games run smoothly at high settings while handling video encoding tasks. Consider:

Dedicated Streaming Features: NVIDIA GPUs with NVENC or AMD GPUs with AMF offer hardware encoding, offloading work from the CPU.

VRAM: For 1080p streaming, 8GB VRAM is sufficient. For higher resolutions or multi-monitor setups, 12GB or more is ideal.

Balance: Pair the GPU with the right CPU to avoid bottlenecks (e.g., AMD Ryzen 5 7600 with NVIDIA RTX 4060).

3. RAM: Multitasking Without Bottlenecks

Streaming demands ample RAM to support gaming, OBS, browser tabs, and other background tasks.

Capacity: 16GB is the minimum, while 32GB is recommended for heavy multitasking or 4K streaming.

Speed: Aim for DDR4 or DDR5 RAM with speeds of at least 3200 MHz.
*Note for DDR5 it’s sometimes mentioned as mt/s. So a 3200Mhz ram will be marketed as 6400 mt/s.

Dual Channel: Always opt for two sticks of RAM to enable dual-channel performance.

4. Storage: Speed and Capacity

Fast storage reduces game load times and improves overall system responsiveness.

NVME for OS and Applications: A 500GB NVMe SSD is ideal for Windows and streaming software.

NVME for storage: Include a 1TB or larger HDD for storing recorded streams and games.

5. Cooling: Keep Temperatures Under Control

Streaming generates significant heat due to the constant workload.

Air vs. Liquid Cooling: Air coolers (e.g., Thermalright Peerless Assassin) or a 360mm AIO liquid cooler will suffice for most builds.

6. Power Supply Unit (PSU): Stable and Reliable Power

A high-quality PSU ensures stability during extended streaming sessions.

Wattage: Use a PSU wattage calculator to determine needs, then add 20% headroom (e.g., 750W for mid-range builds, 850W – 1000W for high-end builds).

It’s important you invest more on a PSU as it will be the one that follows your through your upgrades.

7. Capture Card (Optional)

For console streaming or dual-PC setups, a capture card is essential.

Internal vs. External: Internal cards (e.g., Elgato HD60 Pro) offer lower latency, while external cards are portable.

Resolution Support: Ensure it supports your desired streaming resolution (1080p or 4K).

8. Software and Peripherals

Streaming Software: OBS Studio is free and highly customizable, but alternatives like Streamlabs or XSplit offer user-friendly interfaces.

Monitors: A dual-monitor setup helps manage stream chats, gameplay, and OBS efficiently.

Lighting: Softbox or ring lights improve video quality if you’re using a webcam.

9. Future-Proofing Your Build

Plan for scalability:

Upgradeable Components: Ensure your motherboard supports future CPU or RAM upgrades.

Extra Storage Bays: For additional SSDs or HDDs.

For now I recommend go with AM5 as it’s upgrade path is long. You can get a 7000 series first and go up to a 9000 series in future. AMD commits to support after 9000 series meaning the same board B650 / X670 can still be used. But we have to wait and see.

Ready to Build Your Dream Rig?
Or explore our guides: Best CPU of 2025 | Best GPU of 2025