To get started with streaming you need a sufficiently powerful PC. If your streaming PC is not up to the job you’ll find yourself experiencing stuttering, buffering, lag, skipped frames and even failed connections.
But you won’t experience any of those things with a CCL streaming PC.
Our streaming-specific PCs have been designed to handle the demands of streaming AND gaming, so that you can become the next big Twitch sensation with ease.
CCL’s range of streaming PCs is incredibly diverse and includes systems with NVIDIA GeForce GPUs or AMD Radeon RX GPUs, premium CPUs such as AMD Ryzen CPUs and Intel Core CPUs and high-capacity DDR4 RAM and SSD and HDD storage.
Look beyond the systems themselves and you’ll also find a whole system of support that means you can stream with peace of mind.
Every one of CCL’s streaming PCs comes complete with a 3-year collect and return warranty, ongoing technical advice and support and free delivery.
What’s more, if you can’t find exactly the sort of streaming system you’re looking for, our team of experts can customise one for you.
Ready? Set? Stream with CCL today.
Streaming PC buying guide
There’s a lot to think about when buying a streaming PC. Not only does the system you choose need to be capable of gaming at high frame rates and resolutions, but it also needs to be able to handle the demands of the most popular streaming platforms, video encoding and more.
So, to help you select the perfect streaming PC for you, the CCL team have answered the most commonly asked questions about streaming PCs in our buying guide below.
What is a streaming PC?
Streaming PCs are gaming PCs that are not only capable of playing games at high frame rates and resolutions, but of streaming simultaneously too.
As such, streaming PCs generally have high-end components which are able to cope with the demands of gaming and streaming at the same time.
The kinds of components you’ll typically find in a streaming PC include a multi-core AMD or Intel CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and plenty of SSD and/or HDD storage.
Streaming PCs will also typically require streaming software such as OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), XSplit or Streamlabs.
Are streaming PCs good for gaming?
Yes! Because streaming requires high-end hardware, streaming PCs tend to be excellent at gaming.
Here at CCL our range of streaming PCs includes models with high-end multi-core processors such as AMD’s Ryzen 5 and 9 CPUs and Intel’s Core i5, i7 and i9 CPUs.
You’ll also find systems with high-end graphics cards such as NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, 3060 Ti, 3070, 3070 Ti, 3080, 3080 Ti and 3090 GPUs.
Our range of streaming PCs also include systems with DDR4 RAM and high-capacity SSD and HDD storage.
This means that our streaming PCs are not only excellent at gaming - providing top notch 1080p and even 4K gaming - but they’ll be able to handle streaming at the highest levels too!
What components should a streaming PC have?
Because streaming requires a decent amount of processing power, you’ll want to make sure that you have components in your streaming PC that can provide sufficient power to make sure everything runs smoothly.
After all, you don’t want frame rates to be dropping whilst you’re playing a highly-competitive game such as Fortnite.
Whilst every component in a streaming PC plays an important part in creating an enjoyable streaming experience, there are several components that you should pay special attention to.
Processor
When it comes to getting the right processor for a streaming PC, you want to select one that has multiple cores.
Why? Because even streaming a game at 30 FPS at 1080p requires significant processing power. At those settings, you’d need to dedicate an entire core of an Intel CPU running at 3Ghz (or higher). With a quad-core CPU, that’s 25% of your processor taken up just for encoding!
So, you’re going to want a powerful, multi-core CPU such as an Intel Core i5 (which has four cores). If your budget can stretch to it, then ideally you’ll want to get a system with a six core CPU such as an Intel Core i7 or an AMD Ryzen 7 (which has eight cores).
You’ll find plenty of streaming PCs here at CCL with Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 CPUs.
Graphics card
The graphics card is another very important component when it comes to streaming.
If you’re intending to stream AAA titles then you’ll definitely want a high-end graphics card in your streaming PC.
At present NVIDIA graphics cards tend to have more hardware encoding options than AMD graphics cards, so we would recommend purchasing a system which has one of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX series graphics cards.
As you would expect, the better the RTX graphics card (e.g. an RTX 3080 Ti or RTX 3090), the smoother your streaming experience will be. You’ll also be more likely to be able to play games at higher frame rates and resolutions whilst streaming.
Storage
Many streamers like to be able to record their gameplay for watching back at a later date, or for video editing purposes.
To be able to do this quickly and smoothly however, requires the right kind of storage in your streaming PC.
High-capacity SSD drives tend to be the best option for streaming PCs. This is because they are able to very quickly read and write data. The best solution, however, is to include multiple storage devices in your system e.g a HDD and SSD drive.
Get those three components right and you’ll end up with a streaming PC that’s able to game and stream smoothly.
How much does a streaming PC cost?
Once the preserve of only the highest-end PCs, streaming PCs are nowadays much more affordable, with streaming systems available across most price points.
Here at CCL we want to make streaming accessible to everyone - so we have streaming PCs available from around £800 all the way up to £5,000 (or more) for the absolute ultimate in streaming and gaming performance.
Can I build my own streaming PC?
If you’ve watched gamers on streaming platforms such as Twitch, you’ll know that their PCs often sit within shot and are customised in various ways.
So, if you want to emulate your favourite streamer, you can do so at CCL.
We make it easy to create a custom streaming PC. Whether you want a particular case or colour, or you want to include RGB fans, RGB RAM or other components in your system, you can do so with CCL.
If you want to create a custom streaming PC, you have two ways of doing so:
- Use our custom PC building service. This allows you to hand pick every single part of your PC. Our team of master PC builders will then put it together for you.
- Customise one of our current streaming PC systems.
If you want to customise one of our existing streaming PCs, it’s really straightforward.
Simply click on the system you want and then click on the ‘Customise this PC’ tab in the product description.
You’ll then be presented with a list of customisation options. In many instances you’ll have two or more options for upgrading each component.
Plus the cost of each upgrade is clearly labelled, so you’ll know exactly what the bill will be before you hit the ‘buy’ button.
What accessories do I need for a streaming PC?
Getting the right system is only one part of creating a great streaming setup.
It’s important that you also have the right accessories in order to fully enjoy an immersive streaming experience.
Below, we’ve set out the ‘streaming essentials’ you should buy alongside your new CCL streaming PC.
Streaming camera
Whilst not all streamers appear on screen, many do. Particularly those who are keen to build an audience of dedicated fans on platforms such as Twitch.
If you’re going to appear on screen, then you’ll want a decent camera. After all, nobody wants to watch someone in low-res or generally poor quality.
Although it’s possible to directly connect cameras such as DSLRs to streaming PCs, this is usually overkill for the average streamer (plus DSLRs will usually be much more expensive than webcams).
We’d strongly recommend investing in a good-quality webcam instead. You can spend as little as £20 and still end up with a great piece of kit. Webcam brands such as Elgato, Logitech and Sandberg are favourites amongst dedicated streamers.
Shop streaming webcams at CCL now.
Streaming microphone
The best streamers take audio quality seriously. It’s been proven time after time that poor quality audio decreases engagement with your stream.
So, if you’re serious about your streaming, it pays to invest in a good quality microphone.
At this point, you might be wondering if you can save money and just use the microphone that’s built into your webcam?
Don’t!
Even on high-end webcams, their built-in microphones will not be of sufficient quality for streaming.
Instead, you should invest in a dedicated microphone setup. Brands such as AverMedia and Elgato offer microphones specifically designed for streamers, whilst brands such as Marvo, Razer, Trust and others offer brilliant all-round microphones.
Shop streaming microphones at CCL now.
Streaming headset
Some gamers prefer to use a headset with an in-built microphone. If that’s the case for you, then you’re literally spoilt for choice.
There are hundreds of different streaming headsets available. You’ll simply need to find one that works with your budget and which has the features you prefer such as wireless or wired etc.
Shop streaming headsets at CCL now.
Lighting
If your viewers can’t see you, they’re unlikely to keep on watching!
A huge proportion of streamers have professional light setups as part of their streaming kit.
The key to getting your lighting right, is to use at least two lights:
- A primary light source - this is often called the ‘key light’.
- A secondary light source - usually called the ‘fill light’.
These two light sources are then set at different angles to ensure that you are lit properly, evening out patches of light and removing shadows.
Stream deck
If you really want to create a pro streaming setup, you’ll want to get a stream deck.
A stream deck allows you to simplify actions. For example, you can program it so that when you press a particular button, the camera angle changes. Or you push a button and a cut scene starts playing etc.
It’s a really handy bit of kit and makes streaming a seamless experience for both you and your viewers.
The Elgato Stream Deck is currently the go-to stream deck for many of the world’s biggest streamers, YouTubers and Twitch users.
Green screen
Do you want to be able to change your background at will? Then you’ll want to buy a green screen.
With a proper green screen that’s optimised for camera chroma keying, you’ll be able to display video or images directly behind you, creating an extra layer of entertainment for your viewers.
The Elgato Green Screen is a particular favourite amongst dedicated streamers.
Where to buy a streaming PC
If you’ve made your mind up that a streaming PC is the right type of PC for you, where’s the best place to buy one?
At CCL of course!
With over 30 years’ experience designing and building high-end PCs, we’re one of the leading PC builders in the UK.
Our team of master PC builders have designed a range of great value, high-performance streaming PCs that will provide you with years of uninterrupted streaming and gaming.
But that’s not the only reason to buy your streaming PC from CCL.
We also offer a range of brilliant benefits too.
3-year collect and return warranty
Unlike many other PC builders or high street PC retailers, we offer a truly comprehensive 3-year collect and return warranty on all of our streaming PCs.
That means that in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with your streaming PC, we’ll cover the cost of sending your PC to our workshop in Bradford, the cost of any components or labour time required to get your PC up and running again and the cost of sending your PC back to you.
It really is an industry-leading warranty.
Extensive testing
With over 30 years’ PC building experience under our belt, we know how to make a PC that’s stable, balanced and reliable.
Nevertheless, we put every PC we sell through a battery of demanding tests to ensure they will offer you years of uninterrupted gaming and streaming fun.
CCL’s streaming PCs are subjected to a variety of different loads, stresses and other challenges to ensure they’re up to scratch.
Once they’ve been tested, they are then subjected to a rigorous quality assurance process, whereby our PC builders scour every inch of the system to ensure it is perfect.
It’s only then that your PC will be packaged up and sent out to you.
Next day streaming PCs
We know that as soon as you hit that buy button you’ll be counting down the hours to receiving and setting up your new streaming PC.
That’s why we work with the UK’s best delivery companies to ensure that your new streaming PC reaches you as quickly and as safely as possible.
When we have your streaming PC in stock, we will normally be able to deliver it the next working day.
If you choose to modify one of our streaming PCs, or have a custom streaming PC built from scratch, we will try to deliver it to you within 4 to 5 working days.
Access to ongoing tech advice and support
Just because we’re online doesn’t mean we’re not here to help.
Everyone who buys a PC from CCL has access to ongoing tech advice and support.
Perhaps you’ve got a question about setting up your new PC? Maybe you have a question further down the line about an upgrade? Have you got some questions about making one of your streaming peripherals work?
Whatever your question, CCL can help.
You can access our support via a low-cost telephone line, or via a free email support service.
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