I Need Recommendations on Streaming Server Hardware

foxtrot203

So I'm about to get into the Streaming biz. I have a nice main Gaming rig running an i5 2500K overclocked to 4.5 Ghz and a Radeon HD 6950 2 GB Video Card. I've played around and realized that I'm not going to be able to stream and play on the same computer with any level of quality. So my goal is to build a custom server computer that can handle the stream via Capture Card while my other rig is strictly for gaming. 

So I need recommendations on what is needed to get a quality stream from the gaming server PC. My goal is to stream crystal smooth 1080p HD. I was planning on using Xsplit or something along those lines, but I'm open to suggestions. I am on a budget and I'm not sure if the server PC also needs to have a beasty setup or if something lower-end dual core would do the trick. 

Your recommendations are greatly appreciated!

msgtgunny

It needs to have a good cpu.  Recommendations would be a quad core intel with hyperthreading.  Also get a cheap nvidia gpu ($50 from newegg will do just fine) as you don't want to try to run it on embedded gfx. 

I had built a list of a very solid broadcasting pc, http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=27606388

foxtrot203

Hmmm... So you think that it would still need an i7 just to stream? Keep in mind that this would just be a dedicated box with a capture card. The actual gaming would be on another computer.

PIPe

Your current rig is not that bad and you should be able to stream in 720p and play games without much problems, have you tried streaming with your current rig alone?

foxtrot203

I have tried. I've tried both the Adobe streamer and the free version of Xsplit. I can't seem to keep up a good framerate in the game and on the stream. My CPU maxes out when I try a 720p stream. I've been trying WOW and The Secret World. I turn the settings all the way down in both games and it still maxes out my CPU. In Xsplit I have my computer as Fast with a quality of 5 and a bitrate of 3000 (my upload is 5 Mbps). And my source is 720p and my output is 720p. I can move my source to 540x900 and my output to 720p and it's almost good enough framerate (25 FPS) to broadcast, but the quality isn't what I'd want to watch. 

Normally without streaming I can run almost every game on Max (and I usually play with three 24" monitors). When I have tried streaming, I'm doing it on just one monitor and it's still not working. Kinda disappointing to be honest. Here's my complete Rig:

CPU: Core i5-2500K 4.5 Ghz

GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 OC 920Mhz/1400Mhz (2 GB DDR5)

MOBO: MSI P67A-GD80

RAM: 8 GB DDR3 1333 Mhz

HD: 500 GB 7200 RPM

Network: Wireless N Dual-Band USB Adapter

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

I actually just did a fresh install of my system 3 days ago in an attempt to clean it up and make sure that nothing was holding it back software-wise. 

PIPe

Don't use Fast as a preset, the faster the preset the less CPU it will use. So use something like Veryfast, it should lower your CPU usage significantly.

foxtrot203

I bought a license for Xsplit last night and actually had somewhat decent results. I was able to do a smooth 720p stream. That quality is still not what I'd like, but it's progress.

How much does your GPU factor into this setup? I was at around 70% CPU, but I was still getting a low gameplay frame rate until I turned my settings way down. So I'm no longer maxing out my CPU, but I'm still struggling to maintain a decent 720p stream while having the game at a decent (not max) quality setting.

I do have 3 monitors connected to my video card although I'm only gaming in the middle one. I have Xsplit running on the right one and my dashboard open on the left one. Is it bad to be using 3 screens like this?

PIPe

GPU does affect Xsplit a little bit, especially if you are playing a game on the same PC at the same time. Try lowering the ingame settings a bit and see how that works.