Top PC Hardware Upgrades to Improve Your Streaming Experience
Motherboards ,
Graphics Cards ,
Case & Components
When you're streaming to an audience and working to grow your brand, you might start to notice viewers complaining about stream quality if it isn't on par with their other favorite streamers. Owning the right hardware is essential to deliver the best possible experience to your audience and can make or break your streaming endeavors.
Upgrading your PC hardware can improve performance and reliability, while adding more flexibility to your setup. Not only does this allow your viewers to enjoy your content without any downtime, but also lets you be more efficient.
In this article, we'll discuss some of the top hardware upgrades for streamers. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your streams, these upgrades can help you achieve your viewership goals by providing the best possible experience to your audience.
Before we delve into specific hardware, it's crucial to decide on a platform. In Q1 2023, you can choose between Intel's Z790 and AMD's X670E platforms. Both options offer nearly identical features to streamers, so you can rest assured that neither choice will be a ‘bad pick,’ by any stretch.
Z790 Platform Upgrade
For streamers looking to upgrade their streaming setups, the Z790 platform is a safe bet. It supports the latest Intel 13th Gen CPUs, while offering access to cutting-edge standards like DDR5, PCIe Gen 5.0, and Wi-Fi 6E.
The Z790 route is an excellent choice for streamers who want to primarily focus on gaming performance and don't require too many cores and threads for productivity or professional workloads. However, if you're seeking a balance between gaming and productivity, and have the budget for it, the AMD route could be a more suitable alternative.
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K
The Intel Core i7-13700K serves as an excellent top-tier upgrade for streamers who want to up their streaming game. A growing audience inevitably demands a better, smoother stream and you really don’t want to compromise on your gaming experience to deliver one.
That’s where the incredible multitasking capabilities of the Core i7-13700K can help! It boasts a total of 16 cores (8 performance cores and 8 efficient cores) and 24 threads to easily juggle multiple tasks like gaming and streaming.
The CPU also features a base frequency of 3.40 GHz and can boost all the way up to 5.40 GHz – ensuring top-tier multi-core and single-core performance to serve a variety of workloads including encoding, rendering, and gaming.
Motherboard: MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI
While you could go for an even more premium motherboard for the foundation of your streaming PC, the MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI would be an excellent mid-range option for most streamers who aren’t on the lookout for any specific feature.
The motherboard features a premium thermal design that includes an Extended Heatsink, robust VRMs, thermal pads rated for 7W/mK, and M.2 Shield Frozr to protect your NVMe SSD from heat. You’ll also find plenty of connectivity on the MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI for streamers. It has a total of 10 USB ports (8x USB Type-A and 2x USB Type-C) on the rear I/O as well as built-in 2.5 Gigabit LAN and Wi-Fi 6E.
X670E Platform Upgrade
If you’re a streamer looking for top-of-the-line performance, the X670E platform offers a great way into the world of high-end computing. This platform supports the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs, which offer several advantages over their Intel counterparts. With higher core counts, competitive clock speeds, and improved efficiency, Ryzen 7000 CPUs can deliver smooth and responsive gameplay, even during the most demanding streaming sessions.
In this section, we’ll examine the parts you need to upgrade to the X670E platform and how they can help you take your streaming to the next level.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D from AMD marks the much-awaited 3D V-Cache version of a top-tier Ryzen 7000 CPU; a CPU that offers the best of both worlds – the best gaming and multi-tasking performance.
With 16 cores and 32 threads, this processor can handle even the most demanding games and applications without breaking a sweat. For streamers, this translates to smoother gameplay, faster load times, and an overall better streaming experience for your audience.
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D should definitely be one of your top choices if you’re a streamer who wants to upgrade to the ultimate gaming and streaming setup. Like Intel, AMD also grants you access to modern standards like DDR5, PCIe 5.0, and Wi-Fi 6E.
Motherboard: MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI
When it comes to delivering high-end features and quality to gamers at a relatively affordable price point, you just cannot ignore the Tomahawk name. The MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI builds on the value of its predecessors and combines top-tier build quality and features with a relatively value-focused price point.
In addition to featuring a robust 14+2+1 Duet Rail Power System (DRPS) that delivers clean, stable power to your Ryzen 9 7950X3D, the MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI also comes equipped with an Extended heatsink and M.2 Shield Frozr for non-stop gaming.
Other Parts You’ll Need for Your Build
CPU Cooler: MEG CORELIQUID S360 AIO Liquid Cooler
Streaming and gaming at the same time can be taxing for your CPU, which is why you want it to deliver peak performance for as long as possible. The MEG CORELIQUID S360 AIO Liquid Cooler is designed for broad compatibility – ensuring support for both Intel and AMD CPUs. You can trust it to extract the most out of either your Intel Core i7 13700K or the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D with relative ease.
From a design standpoint, the MEG CORELIQUID S360 takes a stealthier approach than others with its gorgeous all-black design and a crisp 2.4” IPS display on the waterblock.
The waterblock also houses a sturdy 60mm fan to help dissipate heat away from your M.2 SSD, motherboard VRMs, and other surrounding components. The MEG CORELIQUID S360 focuses on cooling without excessive noise, and thus comes equipped with three of MSI’s MEG SILENT GALE P12 120mm fans for excellent airflow.
Graphics Card (GPU): GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO 24G
Nothing really comes close to the incredible performance of the GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO when it comes to tasks like gaming and streaming. This monstrous GPU boasts the very best of Nvidia’s latest Ada Lovelace architecture that brings you next-gen Ray Tracing, DLSS 3.0, and a generous 24GB of VRAM to play the most demanding modern games at the highest resolutions without skipping a beat.
The GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO 24G features MSI’s latest Tri-FROZR thermal design that was specifically engineered to handle the heat generated by the powerful RTX 4090 GPU. It combines MSI’s newest TORX FAN 5.0, a solid nickel-plated Copper baseplate, flattened heatpipes for optimal heat transfer, and Air Antegrade fins on the radiator to reduce noise without affecting cooling performance.
The RTX 4090 crushes the competition when it comes to gaming, ray tracing, DLSS upscaling, and even streaming thanks to Nvidia’s NVENC encoder. There’s really no alternative for streamers who want the very best on the market and want to invest in their streaming setups.
Memory (RAM): Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 RGB 6000MT/s 16GB x 2
The Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 memory brings next-gen speeds and all the advantages of a next-gen memory standard to both Intel and AMD platforms. It boasts Intel XMP 3.0 as well as AMD Expo certifications for a worry-free overclocking experience on either of the two platforms (Z790 or X670E) we recommended above.
Although both the Intel and AMD platforms can often overclock memory to reach higher speeds, we recommend streamers stick to something like a Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 RGB 6000MT/s 16GB x 2. Why? Well, two reasons. First, the performance gain from higher speeds is negligible for most gaming and streaming applications today. Second, the added instability on higher speeds is simply a no-go for serious streamers who can’t tolerate any downtime when gaming and streaming.
SSD: MSI SPATIUM M480 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2TB PLAY
The SPATIUM M480 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2TB PLAY might be quite a mouthful for a name of an NVMe SSD, but it can be a game-changer for streamers who want the best. It boasts read/write speeds of up to 7000/6800 MB/s and leverages the full speeds offered by the modern PCIe 4.0 standard! The SPATIUM M480 2TB PLAY also features a heatsink – allowing it to sustain peak performance under the inevitably heavy loads of a streaming PC.
To a streamer, this translates to less waiting, more playing. It not only reduces the amount of downtime your viewers will have to endure while you get your setup ready, but also enhances the streaming and gaming experience by delivering a crisp stream and buttery-smooth gameplay. The SPATIUM M480 2TB PLAY NVMe SSD is rated to last for a long time with a whopping 3000 TBW (Terabytes Written) rating for its flash memory. This is, of course, backed by a robust 5-year warranty from MSI for peace of mind.
PSU: MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 80-PLUS Platinum Power Supply
Considering the fact that your PSU powers a bunch of pricey components, it’s never a great idea to skimp on this particular part. The MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 80-PLUS Platinum Power Supply Unit is the very best fully modular PSU we’ve made, and it can handle even the most power-hungry CPUs and GPUs without breaking a sweat.
It is fully ATX 3.0 compliant, which means it supports a single, native 16-pin power cable direct from the PSU to your RTX 4090 that can deliver up to 600W of power. No adapters required! The ATX 3.0 spec also ensures that the MEG Ai1300P PCIE5 PSU is designed to handle up to a 3x power spike for the GPU and a 2x total system power spike.
The 80-PLUS Platinum certification on the Ai1300P guarantees excellent power efficiency – minimizing power wastage. It also comes equipped with industry-standard protections like OVP, OCP, etc., to spare your hardware from certain death.
Although we’ve erred on the side of extreme caution here with a 1300W PSU, this wattage isn’t really necessary unless you’re running quite a few power-hungry peripherals along with high-end hardware. If you’re not, you can easily also drop down to the MPG A1000G PCIE5 Power Supply that can deliver up to 1000W of power without missing out on the top-notch build quality or the improvements of ATX 3.0 and access to a native 16-pin PCIe power connector.
Case: MPG VELOX 100R / MEG PROSPECT 700R
Both the MPG VELOX 100R and the MEG PROSPECT 700R PC Case boast gorgeous designs and excellent airflow to handle all the powerful parts you picked.
The MPG VELOX 100R is a great mid-range case option that features an optimized airflow system, with vents built throughout the case, to provide generous and effective cooling for your system. A durable and easily accessible 3mm hinged tempered glass window grants you access to your internal hardware while also providing a clear view of your components. It also features the ability to mount up to a whopping nine 120mm system fans or two 360mm radiators (front/top) for an unmatched cooling experience.
If you want to consider a more premium pick, nothing can really touch the stunning MEG PROSPECT 700R PC Case. One of the key features of this case is its fully-modular internals – allowing you to change and tweak it to accommodate your hardware. It also comes equipped with four 140mm ARGB fans and supports up to two 360mm radiators (or 3x140mm fans) for excellent airflow, regardless of your cooling setup.
Another feature that you’ll immediately notice on the MEG PROSPECT 700R is its gorgeous 4.3” touch panel that you can customize to your liking. It can display a wide range of system information and graphics – giving you access to information when you need it and adding to the overall ambiance of your streaming room.
Picking a Monitor
No streaming setup can be complete without an excellent gaming monitor that delivers smooth frame rates and a high-enough resolution to gain the edge in competitive games. After all, your audience wants to watch you have fun!
Let’s go over a couple of options that you can consider, depending on your budget and preferences.
MEG 342C QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
The MEG 342C QD-OLED Gaming Monitor blends the brilliant response times, contrasts, and black levels of an OLED panel with the color performance of Quantum Dot technology. This 34” ultrawide QD-OLED monitor boasts a lightning-fast 0.1ms response time, a smooth 175Hz refresh rate, and a crisp 3440x1440 resolution to deliver an unmatched, smooth gaming experience like you’ve never seen before. It also offers a color-accurate mode that features an industry-standard Delta-E of <2, making it ideal for professionals who need color accuracy.
Streamers will love the inclusion of the built-in KVM switch and multiple USB ports on the MEG 342C QD-OLED Gaming Monitor – allowing you to control multiple systems with a single set of peripherals! On the back of the monitor, you’ll find a single USB Type-C port (with Power Delivery up to 65W) and 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports for plenty of connectivity. It also boasts 2 HDMI™ 2.1 Ports, supporting up to 3440 x 1440 @175Hz, and is compatible with the latest generation of consoles.
MSI also includes a unique SpectrumBar on this monitor – a light bar that supports RGB lightning and can be synced using the Mystic Light app. The SpectrumBar can also leverage a new feature called GlowSync, which allows it to sync to the content on your screen and light up accordingly! Not only does this add to the ambiance of your streaming setup, but it also enhances immersion.
That’s not all, though.
A host of OLED CARE features grant you peace of mind by minimizing the risks of OLED burn-in. An exclusive patent allows the SpectrumBar to lend a hand during this process as well. It serves as an OLED CARE status indicator – intuitively displaying pixel/panel refresh progress – preventing users from accidentally shutting down their monitor before the process is complete.
MPG321UR-QD 4K Gaming Monitor
If you don’t want to go with an ultrawide and would prefer a higher resolution display without forgoing high refresh rates, the MPG321UR-QD is the perfect choice. It is equipped with a gorgeous 32” 4K 144Hz G-SYNC compatible panel that can reveal even the tiniest details in game worlds without sacrificing the buttery-smooth feeling of gaming at a 144Hz refresh rate.
The MPG321UR-QD also uses Quantum Dot technology to further enhance and refine colors for a much more vivid gaming experience. This combined with deep blacks, bright whites, and a wide color gamut allows the monitor to boast the VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification for amazing visuals in games, movies, and any other media.
Another standout feature of the MSI MPG321UR-QD Gaming Monitor is HDMI 2.1 support, which allows for up to 48Gbps bandwidth and ensures compatibility with next-gen consoles.
This advanced connectivity lets streamers stay ahead of the game by quickly incorporating the latest consoles and devices into their setup if/when needed without any disadvantages.
In addition to the incredible panel and display technology on offer, the MPG321UR-QD Gaming Monitor also comes equipped with 6 USB ports and MSI’s KVM 3.0. This allows you to connect and control multiple machines (desktops, consoles, laptops, etc.) using a single set of peripherals and USB devices that plug right into your monitor!
