Mini PC for Streaming: Keep Stream at 4K with Small Size

4k mini pc for streaming

Table of Contents

If you’re an aspiring streamer, maybe you’re thinking about upgrading to a dual PC streaming setup, you’ve come to the right place!

Before, you needed a desktop or laptop to stream live gameplay, but now some small computers comes with can deliver all the performance you need while also saving on desktop real estate.

Why Need Get Streaming With a Second PC

Many of the top streamers today are beginning to use a second PC to broadcast their stream, because it helps allowing their main desktop computer to focus its resources on the game.

That means for those on a budget, Getting a second PC just to stream may seem ludicrously lavish.

So a common mistake for first-time streamers is they stream and game on the same machine.

Gaming can already be demanding on the processor and the graphics card—if you then throw live streaming that same game into the mix, it could impact the quality of the stream and the video game, making it an unwatchable experience for your audience.

In worst-case scenarios, the game or the stream—and sometimes both—can crash. That’s bad news for streamers!

Besides stream quality, a heavy load can also affect your gameplay. In competitive video games where you play against other players, every advantage counts; and if your game stutters for even a millisecond, it could easily mean your defeat.

The most straightforward solution is to get high-end graphics cards and high-end processors, of course. But considering the market, this can easily rack up an expensive bill, which isn’t always an option especially if you’re a streamer on a budget. So, what do you do? You invest in a dedicated streaming PC.

Why Choose a Mini PC As a Dedicated Streaming PC

Small compact computers, we mean small. Some of them are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but they’re still equipped with enough processing power for office use and even some moderate gaming! You can hook them up to a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, and then use them the way you’d use a regular-sized desktop.

That’s not what we’re using them for in this guide, though.

A Dedicated streaming mini PC can be a great option for those looking for a high-performance system that will stream 4K content.

A mini-PC can help you stream by shouldering the responsibility of live streaming, allowing your main desktop computer to focus its resources on the game and only the game. This lets you crank up the graphical settings to the max while still outputting a smooth and crisp stream to your watchers.

Another great benefit is that the mini-PC is compact enough to be tucked away in a corner of your desk while still leaving plenty of space for your desktop computer. Desk space is an especially precious resource for any streamer, since you need plenty of it to also set up your webcam and your mic.

Does Your Streaming PC Need a GPU?

Compared to your gaming PC, your streaming PC does not need to be very powerful. This PC does not need a lot of graphical power. As a matter of fact, you could easily get by without a graphics card and simply choose a CPU with an integrated graphics processor. 

Can mini PC Supports Streaming 4K Content?

Streaming 4K content on PCs has become an important trend, but the question is, can mini PC support it?

Yes! many mini PCs now support streaming 4K content even if they only have an integrated graphics card.

But before you make the purchase, be sure to read all the specs. While some models might be sufficient for everyday tasks and video chatting, they may not be enough for serious streaming 4K video.

Here are some tips to help you make a smarter decision!

What Should You Look For in a Mini PC?

Minimum Specs For A Streaming PC

  • Processor: Intel Core i5 or its AMD variant
  • Operating system: Windows 7
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage Space: 128GB
  • Graphics Card: UHD graphics processor

As with all computers, the most important computer parts a prospective streamer should look out for are the graphics card, the processor, and the RAM.

A computer that is dedicated to streaming doesn’t really need a powerful graphics card or lots of RAM. This is good news, because graphics cards are usually the most expensive part of a computer, followed closely by the processor.

Virtually any modern graphics card is more than enough for streaming since it’s a more processor-intensive task. You could also get away with having only 8 Gigabytes of RAM, which is roughly the standard amount needed for a modern computer to run smoothly.

As for the processor, you will need at least a quad-core processor on your mini PC. Twitch recommends having at least an Intel Core i5-4670 processor (or its AMD equivalent). What happens when you stream is that your computer essentially “records” a video of your gameplay, but instead of it being recorded, processed, and then shown, all these processes happen at the same time. In order for your mini PC to do that, you’ll need a moderately capable processor.

So I Have to Build My Own Mini-PC?

The good news is – you don’t have to! Since this guide is about easy-to-manage setups, we’ve included two starter mini PCs you can get you started on your streaming journey. Either option is under 500 USD, which is a great benchmark for budget computers.

The Intel NUC 8 Bean Canyon

Besides the really fun name, the Intel NUC Bean Canyon is Intel’s foray into compact, affordable computers. NUC stands for Next Unit of Computing, and the name is a testament to Intel’s commitment to the future of mini PCs. The great thing about the NUC Bean Canyon is its inclusion of a pretty powerful processor—the Intel i7-8559U. This is more than enough for your streaming needs.

Though there is a little bit of legwork involved—there’s no RAM, no hard drive, and no operating system, so you’ll have to buy those as well—it’s a great starter for a streaming PC as it comes in at only 480 USD.

The Geekom Mini IT8

The Geekom Mini IT8 is a little bit bigger than most mini PCs, coming in at about 4by 4 inches, but the good thing is that it comes purchasable with a hard drive of up to 16Gb of RAM (though again, we only really need 8Gb for dedicated streaming). Very thoughtful on Geekom’s part!

Its sleek black design is also easy on the eyes. A mounting bracket on the rear side means this recommendation can fixed to a bracket on the wall if needed. A plethora of ports also means that the Mini IT8 can support up to four screens. You won’t really need that many for dedicated streaming, though, but it’s an impressive feature nonetheless.

With an Intel Coffee Lake i5 8259U processor, it’s not quite as powerful as the Intel NUC Bean Canyon, but it’s enough to get the job done for your needs. It also ships with Intel’s Iris Plus Graphics 655; this combination means the IT8 is capable of handling some moderate gaming as well. Given all its inclusions, you could easily pack the IT8 when traveling and have a reliable, fast PC wherever you go. Although this is a recommendation for a dedicated streaming PC, it’s worth mentioning how easy it is to bring the IT8 anywhere and use it anywhere.

It also ships with Windows 11, having been released in 2021, so there’s no need to purchase an operating system either. The Mini IT8 is truly plug-and-play and it’s our top recommendation, considering this mini PC for streaming and all of its inclusions start at 399 USD.

Conclusion

Investing in a mini PC for streaming is a step toward unlocking your streaming potential, allowing you to captivate and engage your audience with high-quality content.

So, don’t wait any longer! When it comes to purchasing a reliable and high-quality mini PC for streaming, GEEKOM is a trusted provider to consider.

Share:

Jonathan

Jonathan

Jonathan is a Technical Support Engineer at GEEKOM. With years of experience under his belt, he is an expert at troubleshooting hardware and software issues, assisting customers with their inquiries, and providing clear and concise instructions to even the most technically challenged users.

Related Posts

Special Offers

  • SaleLimited
    Select options
    【PRESALE】GEEKOM A5 Mini PC AMD Ryzen 7 $399.00
    • AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H Processor & Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics.
    • Up to 64GB dual-channel DDR4-3200 memory.
    • PCIe Gen 3 x 4 NVMe/SATA SSD, storage up to 2TB.
    • Comprehensive I/O ports for full-featured connectivity.
    • Supports 8K displays & multiple screens.
    • Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth® 5.2.

    Available on backorder

  • SaleLimited
    Select options
    GEEKOM Mini FUN11 11th Gen Intel Core i9 $899.00

    🎉 Mini PC with 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor is live NOW! 🎉

    • Intel® Core™ i9-11900KB CPU
    • Intel® UHD Graphics for 11th Generation Intel® Processors
    • Support for discrete graphics cards up to 321mm,
      such as AMD Radeon™ RX 6000 series or GeForce RTX 30 series
    • Incredible connectivity and flexibility, Thunderbolt 4*2 included
    • Mini Fun11 has three built-in fans
  • SaleLimited
    Select options
    GEEKOM Mini IT13
    GEEKOM Mini IT13 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9/i7/i5 $499.00$789.00

    GEEKOM’s first mini PC with 13th generation Intel CPU is now on sale!

    • 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H , Core i7-13700H or Core i5-13500H
    • Intel® Iris® Xe graphics offer improved performance
    • Extensive port selection including two USB4 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports
    • Intel® Bluetooth® 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E for faster connections
  • SaleLimited
    Select options
    fun9 main image
    fun9 main image
    GEEKOM Mini FUN9 9th Gen Intel Core i9 $669.00
    • 9th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-9980HK
    • Intel® UHD Graphics 630
    • Support for discrete graphics cards up to 321mm in length
    • WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
    • 2 LAN ports
    • With three built-in fans
Close My Cart
Close Recently Viewed
Close
Close
Categories

Your Dedication Deserves a Reward!

We value your time and appreciate your loyalty. As a token of our gratitude for your precious time on our website, we’d like to offer you an exclusive coupon code to enhance your shopping experience. 

Your Exclusive Coupon: EXIT10

WAIT!
DON'T LEAVE JUST YET!

Before you go, please take a moment to consider all the advantages you’ll gain from the powerful performance and sleek design of our mini PC.

It will revolutionize the way you work, play, and create, and you’ll finally be able to say goodbye to the bulky, traditional desktop computers of the past

And right now, we’re offering a special discount just for you. Use the code EXIT10 at checkout to enjoy your exclusive offers.