Everything you need to start streaming games to Twitch or YouTube

Instead of simply playing PC games, if you've ever dreamt about thousands of people watching you play them live on a streaming platform, you'll be pleased to learn that it's relatively straightforward to get started. All you need is a capable PC, some additional equipment, broadcasting software, and you're good to broadcast out to the masses.

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All the hardware you'll need to stream

Whether you want to broadcast on Twitch or make Let's Play videos for YouTube, there's some equipment you'll want to invest in first. Before we even consider software choices, you need to make sure you've got quality hardware for capturing voice and video, so you can properly interact with your audience.

Microphones

You might have a basic microphone kicking around or a gaming headset that's fine enough for in-game chat, but if you want to produce high-quality Let's Play streams and commentary videos, you're going to want a good dedicated microphone. We've rounded up some of the best microphones out there, recommending either the Blue Yeti or HyperX QuadCast. Both are sturdy and reliable desktop microphones built with streamers and podcasters in mind.

They're both easy to set up too. You get multiple record modes and direct controls for headphone volume, mute, and microphone gain. Connecting via USB and requiring no software to makes it easy to plug 'n' play. USB microphones are a great way to go, but there's also the choice of professional studio condenser microphones like the Audio-Technica AT2020. These require a little more in terms of money, accessories, and time to get everything working, but the end results can even surpass USB microphones like the Blue Yeti for scalability and audio control.

Webcams

Once you've got your audio recording equipment figured out, you'll want to consider whether you wish to record your face too. If so, a decent webcam is required to record your beautiful face as you play and stream/record. Most DSLR cameras can be used as webcams when connected to your computer via USB, so use one if you have one, as they will produce the most professional-quality video for your streams. If you don't own a DSLR and don't really feel like dropping a small fortune acquiring one, there are many quality webcams for you to choose from.

We suggest the Razer Kiyo. It's a formidable webcam that simply clips onto your monitor and lets you record your gaming face in 1080p. It also features a ring LED light to better illuminate your mug and improve stream quality — it shouldn't be underestimated just how important lighting is for recording video; it's right up there with capturing your voice and in-game footage.

Capture Cards

So, you've got the parts to put yourself on the internet, and streaming from your PC is easy — you just need the right software. But what about from your Xbox? For that, you'll need a capture card. You've basically got two options to consider — an internal capture card, which you'll need to install inside your PC tower, or an external capture card that connects to your console and PC via HDMI and USB. Check out our breakdown of the best capture cards for more details on what makes for the best streaming option.

Internal capture cards have the benefit of taking a load off of your PC hardware and recording more efficiently at a higher quality. If you're able to install it in a dedicated stream-recording PC, you can easily record both your PC gaming and your console gaming without having to worry about splitting resources between running your games and the stream capturing software. Something like the Avermedia Live Gamer 4K, which allows you to capture and stream your gaming footage in up to 4K at 60 FPS at a reasonable price.

If you've got a laptop that you were planning to use for streaming, installing a capture card inside it isn't going to happen. But there are external capture cards you can use instead. We recommend the Elgato HD60S, it can work with any modern console in crisp 1080p at 60 FPS. Simply connect the capture card to your computer via USB (it uses the modern USB-C standard), and connect your console to the HDMI-in port and your TV to the HDMI-out port and away you go. You'll be able to enjoy lag-free gaming while your footage is pulled onto your PC for recording or streaming.

Software to make all the magic happen

You've got your microphone, webcam, and an optional capture card if you're a console gamer. The final step is figuring out what broadcasting/recording software you want to use to get your game footage and commentary to your audience in style. Luckily, there are some excellent options here, both commercial and freely available.

XSplit offers up two applications that should cover all the bases for streaming your gameplay to your adoring fans. XSplit Broadcaster gives you a full video production suite to customize the look of your stream. Set up your webcam and game capture as sources, customize your layout, and then you're ready. XSplit Gamecaster makes things even easier, letting you click to stream or record your gaming and quickly add a webcam — with chroma key support if available. XSplit supports Twitch, YouTube, and Livestream, so you'll have the freedom to host your streams where you prefer.

If you're looking for a free, open-source screen-recording software option, then Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is just what you want. Given that this is open-source software, it certainly isn't the prettiest option out there, but it's absolutely free with some user-created plugins available. Choose between OBS Classic for Windows or OBS Studio that supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Streamlabs has a special version of OBS called Streamlabs OBS available with some additional features and an enhanced UI, which is worth considering.