Should you get the Razer Ripsaw HD or the Elgato HD60 S capture card?

Razer Ripsaw HD
Razer Ripsaw HD (Image credit: Windows Central)

Should you get the Razer Ripsaw HD or the Elgato HD60 S capture card?

Best answer: The Razer Ripsaw HD is the better capture card, but if you're new to streaming or recording gaming content, the HD60 S comes with some beginner-friendly software.The best: Razer Ripsaw HD ($160 at Amazon)Beginner friendly: Elgato HD60 S ($152 at Amazon)

Close, but the Razer Ripsaw HD has it

The Elgato HD60 S was a little ahead of its time when it first launched, but as time passed, it's been surpassed in the hardware stakes by not only Razer, but also by AVerMedia. That doesn't mean it's a bad capture card, not at all.

But if you're looking for the best of the two out of the Razer and the Elgato, the Razer is the one to get.

Setting it up is simple: you just need the Razer Synapse 3 application to ensure the right drivers and firmware are in place. From there you just hook it up to your favorite capture or broadcast software. It's fully supported in Streamlabs OBS, OBS Studio, and XSplit, covering all the big bases.

What makes it better though? By virtue of launching in 2019, it's better equipped for today's streamer, especially those playing on PC or Xbox One X, and that's down to the 4K60 passthrough feature. The HD60 S doesn't have this, so if you really want your games to look their best while you're playing regardless of your stream, the Ripsaw HD has the edge. The HDMI 2.0 input and output makes this possible.

For streaming, it matches the HD60 S, with a USB-C 3.0 interface for virtually zero lag, and a 3.5mm audio input if you need to mix party chat from your console. But until Elgato updates its external capture card to support 4K passthrough it falls behind the Ripsaw HD.

Elgato still great for beginners

Elgato HD60 S

Elgato HD60S

One area the Elgato might still be a better choice is if you're an absolute beginner to streaming or recording game footage. Of the three apps mentioned above, both Streamlabs OBS and OBS Studio can be confusing at first.

Elgato has its own software that bundles with the HD60 S, Game Capture HD, that is very beginner friendly. Nothing is buried in menus — all the important features are out front with simple controls — and you can use it to capture as well as stream. It'll even help you add a simple overlay to your broadcast if you wish.

Of course, it's fully supported in all the major streaming software when you're ready to step up and get a little more advanced. You're also more likely to be able to find a deal on the HD60 S since it's an older product.

Richard Devine
Managing Editor - Tech, Reviews

Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine