Original: What are the Top Capture Cards in 2022?
Capture cards are one of the most important accessories for streamers and Youtubers alike. Both are looking for the highest resolution with the highest frames per second. However, once that signal is captured, the max quality feed you can deliver to your fans will also be dependent on your rig. In the end, everyone is looking for that sweet 4K resolution with 60 frames per second. A choice few capture cards are capable and the rig necessary to achieve it is fairly specific as well.
As you search through the interwebs, there are three cards that regularly hit the top of the charts in reviews. Without a doubt, the AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC 573), the Elgato HD60 X, and the Elgato 4K60 S+.
Top capture cards of 2022
AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC 573)
The AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC 573) capture card is one of the most powerful capture devices on the market. As discussed above, this capture card allows for 4K resolution at up to 240Hz refresh rates on the monitor that you are playing on. As for the stream, this monster can deliver 4K resolution at 60fps if you have the right Nvidia or AMD graphics card. Comparable Elgato capture cards are only compatible with Nvidia cards to deliver the same quality stream.
The main downside is that you must connect this bad boy to a PCIe slot within a rig to be able to utilize its power. As a result, you’ll need to have a separate rig to game on or a gaming console in order to maximize the performance of this capture card. If you have a monster rig already, you don’t need a capture card to stream, but the downside of that is you won’t be able to deliver 4K resolution at 60fps HDR if you game from the same PC you stream from at all times.
Elgato 4K60 S+ External Capture Card
The Elgato 4K60 S+ is the ideal capture card for traveling streamers as well as stationary ones. With the PS5 and the Xbox Series X able to deliver 4K resolution graphics, having an external capture card like this will allow streamers to capture high quality streams at home and on the go. As the only Elgato device that can handle delivering 4K streams (outside of the PCIe equivalent called the 4K60 Pro MK. 2), the Elgato 4K60 S+ capture card is one of the best in its class.
Compatible with the whole host of Elgato devices like the Stream Deck and the Elgato streaming software, the Elgato 4K60 S+ even has an SD card port to allow for recording without the need for a PC. Unfortunately, if you want to stream your next gen console exploits at 4K resolutions, you’ll need a gaming desktop or laptop with a Nvidia GeForce GTX 10xx graphics card or better to handle it.
Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card
The Elgato HD60 X External Capture Card is essentially the lower resolution cousin of the 4K60 S+. While it cannot deliver a 4K resolution stream, it can deliver 1440p @ 60fps. Using a USB 3.0 connection to the streaming PC, this external capture card is the perfect alternative to the other cards for streamers looking for superb quality next gen console streaming.
Streaming with next gen consoles is relatively easy with each of these high-powered top capture cards.
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