If you’re a budget-conscious streamer looking for a PC that can handle gaming and streaming simultaneously without breaking the bank, then this Budget Streaming PC Build might be just what you need. This build is tailored for those who want a high-performing PC without overspending. The components selected provide excellent value for money, striking a balance between affordability and performance.
If you have a higher budget and want to push the boundaries of performance even further, we also have Professional and Ultimate Streaming PC Builds for you to check out.
CPU
Intel Core i5-12600KF 3.7 GHz 10-Core Processor
The Intel Core i5-12600KF is one of the most popular CPUs on the market. It has 10 cores, 6 of which are performance-cores with Hyperthreading and 4 are efficient-cores that offer excellent multitasking capabilities while reducing power consumption.
With a base clock speed of 3.9 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.9 GHz, the i5-12600KF packs plenty of performance and will get decent framerates out of even the most CPU-intensive games. It’s also overclockable, which allows you to push its clock speeds for even better performance.
For your stream encoding needs, it’s recommended to use the NVENC encoder that comes with the latest NVIDIA graphics cards. However, if you prefer to use the x264 encoder, the Intel Core i5-12600KF CPU is capable of handling it.
Cooler
Deepcool AK620 ZERO DARK 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler
The DeepCool AK620 ZERO DARK is a high-quality CPU cooler and an all-black edition of the well-renowned AK620. Its black coating provides a sleek and modern look that blends seamlessly with most builds. This CPU cooler boasts 6 high-performance heat pipes and a mirror-finished nickel-plated copper base that ensures efficient cooling, even with a moderate overclock.
Motherboard
ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Motherboards aren’t the most exciting part of a build, but you do need to ensure that the one you choose is compatible with all your other components. For the i5-12600KF, you’re going to need a Z690 chipset motherboard.
Z690 is a newer chipset and should provide better compatibility with the latest Intel CPUs. The ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming 4 is a decent budget-friendly motherboard that supports DDR4 memory and 3x M.2 slots.
Memory
Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory
When streaming, you’re likely to have several applications open simultaneously that will require some memory. A 32 GB kit (2x 16 GB sticks) of DDR4 RAM running at least 3200 MHz is recommended for this build.
If you’ve used the motherboard from this build, you’ll still have two free slots left afterward if you ever want to push to 64 GB, but it’s really not necessary unless you’re performing very intensive tasks daily that require additional RAM.
Storage
Silicon Power A60 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
To ensure optimal performance, it’s highly recommended to run Windows and some key applications from an SSD in this build. With a little more in your budget, getting an NVME M.2 SSD with a decent amount of capacity is a great choice. However, everyone’s storage needs are different, so feel free to choose something with more or less capacity, or pair it with an additional drive for storage of larger media like your stream VODs.
Ultimately, the choice of storage will depend on your specific needs and budget, but investing in a high-quality SSD is always a good idea for a high-end gaming and streaming PC build.
GPU
Gigabyte GAMING OC Rev 2.0 GeForce RTX 3070 LHR 8 GB Video Card
When it comes to building a PC for streaming and gaming, the graphics card is one of the most important components to consider. The GeForce RTX 4070 by NVIDIA is one of the best price-to-performance GPUs currently available, and it’s an excellent choice for this budget build.
It’s capable of achieving high framerates for all games at 1080p, and even at 1440p for some well-optimized games like VALORANT, League of Legends, or Fortnite.
For streaming, NVIDIA’s NVENC encoding feature is a game-changer. It offloads the task of encoding video to the NVENC chip on the GPU. This means you can stream your games without worrying about performance issues or sacrificing video quality.
Case
Lian Li LANCOOL 215 ATX Mid Tower Case
The Lian Li LANCOOL 215 boasts a clean and modern design featuring a large tinted tempered glass side panel. The mesh front panel ensures excellent airflow to keep components cool, while multiple cable management holes and tie-offs help to keep the interior tidy and organized. Additionally, the case offers two USB3 Type-A ports, perfect for convenient connectivity options.
Cases are largely personal preference, so feel free to shop around for something you prefer aesthetically. Just make sure that it fits your ATX Motherboard, CPU cooler radiator, and the length of your Graphics Card.
Power Supply
Corsair RM750x 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
When it comes to choosing a power supply for your high-end gaming and streaming PC, it’s crucial to select a well-reviewed and trusted product from a reputable brand. While it may be tempting to save some money by opting for a cheaper power supply, this component is responsible for providing power to every component in your build. If it fails, it could potentially cause damage to your more expensive components.
One brand that’s well-known for producing reliable and efficient power supplies is Corsair. Their 750 W power supply is an excellent choice for this build, offering high efficiency with an 80+ Gold certification.
Another great feature of this PSU is that it’s fully modular, which means you only have to plug in the cables that you require. This helps keep the inside of your PC free of clutter, as you don’t have to deal with all the extra cables that come with a non-modular power supply. Additionally, if you want to upgrade to custom cables in the future, a fully modular power supply allows you to do so easily.