Looking to get a top-of-the-line PC that can handle high-resolution gaming and streaming without any compromises? Then this Ultimate Streaming PC Build might be just what you need. This build is tailored for high-performance enthusiasts who are willing to invest in their system, with a budget of $3000 in mind.
But don’t worry if that’s a bit too pricey for you – we also have Budget and Professional Streaming PC Builds for those who don’t want to spend as much.
CPU
Intel Core i9-13900K 24-Core Processor
When it comes to building a high-end PC for streaming and gaming, the processor is one of the most important components to consider.
The Intel Core i9-13900K is an excellent choice for this purpose, as it is one of the fastest gaming CPUs currently available on the market. With 8 performance-cores and 16 performance threads, it can handle even the most demanding games and streaming applications with ease. Additionally, it features 16 efficient-cores, which allow for better power management and energy efficiency.
With a base frequency of 3.2GHz and a turbo frequency of 5.8GHz, the i9-13900K offers lightning-fast performance and can handle even the most demanding tasks. Furthermore, the unlocked multiplier enables easy and significant overclocking, which can further boost the CPU’s performance and provide even more power for streaming and gaming.
It’s recommended to use the NVENC encoder that comes with the latest NVIDIA graphics cards to handle all of your stream encoding needs. However, if you have your heart set on using the x264 encoder, the Intel Core i9-13900K CPU is more than capable of handling it.
Cooler
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB 48.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
To take full advantage of the impressive performance of the Core i9-13900K, it’s highly recommended to use liquid cooling. This will help keep your CPU running at optimal temperatures, allowing it to perform at its best without overheating.
For this build, consider the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 A-RGB liquid cooler. Featuring a large 360mm radiator and three powerful 120mm fans, this cooler provides excellent cooling performance while remaining relatively quiet. The A-RGB lighting adds a stylish touch to your build, making it look great both inside and out.
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z790 UD AC ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Motherboards aren’t the most exciting part of a build, but you do need to ensure that the one you choose is compatible with all your other components. For the i9-13900K, you’re going to need a Z790 chipset motherboard.
Z790 is a newer chipset and should provide better compatibility with the latest Intel CPUs. The Gigabyte Z790 UD AC ATX is filled with the latest technology, making it perfect for higher-performance setups.
It supports the very latest PCIe 5.0 and offers huge storage options with 3x M.2 slots. There’s plenty of USB 3.2 connectivity and 4x DDR5 DIMM slots for the option of memory expansion further down the line.
Memory
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan alpha 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL38 Memory
When streaming, you’re likely to have several applications open simultaneously that will require some memory. For the ultimate build, a 32 GB kit (2x 16 GB sticks) of the latest DDR5 RAM running at 6000 MHz is recommended.
This RAM offers an ideal match for the i9-13900K CPU, as it scales very well with faster memory. If you’ve used the motherboard from this build, you’ll still have two free slots left afterward if you ever want to push to 64 GB, but it’s really not necessary unless you’re performing very intensive tasks daily that require additional RAM.
Storage
Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
To ensure optimal performance, it’s highly recommended to run Windows and some key applications from an SSD in this build. With a little more in your budget, getting an NVME M.2 SSD with a decent amount of capacity is a great choice. However, everyone’s storage needs are different, so feel free to choose something with more or less capacity, or pair it with an additional drive for storage of larger media like your stream VODs.
Ultimately, the choice of storage will depend on your specific needs and budget, but investing in a high-quality SSD is always a good idea for a high-end gaming and streaming PC build.
GPU
Zotac GAMING AMP Extreme AIRO GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card
When it comes to building a high-end PC for streaming and gaming, the graphics card is one of the most important components to consider. The GeForce RTX 4090 by NVIDIA is one of the fastest GPUs in existence, and it’s an excellent choice for this build.
To take full advantage of the card’s capabilities, it’s recommended to pair it with a high refresh rate and/or high-resolution monitor. This will allow you to experience your games and streams in their full glory, with crisp visuals and smooth performance.
For streaming, NVIDIA’s NVENC encoding feature is a game-changer. It offloads the task of encoding video to the NVENC chip on the GPU. This means you can stream your games without worrying about performance issues or sacrificing video quality.
Case
Fractal Design Torrent RGB ATX Mid Tower Case
The Fractal Design Torrent RGB is an excellent case for this build, offering exceptional cooling performance straight out of the box. The case is designed with a focus on maximizing cooling potential, which is essential for keeping your components running smoothly and efficiently.
Additionally, the Torrent comes with five pre-installed fans, two of which are 180 x 38 mm Prisma RGB fans custom-made to achieve maximum air cooling while maintaining controlled noise levels. These fans provide excellent cooling performance while remaining relatively quiet, ensuring that your PC runs smoothly and without any distracting noise.
Cases are largely personal preference, so feel free to shop around for something you prefer aesthetically. Just make sure that it fits your ATX Motherboard, CPU cooler radiator, and the length of your Graphics Card.
Power Supply
Corsair RM1000x 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
When it comes to choosing a power supply for your high-end gaming and streaming PC, it’s crucial to select a well-reviewed and trusted product from a reputable brand. While it may be tempting to save some money by opting for a cheaper power supply, this component is responsible for providing power to every component in your build. If it fails, it could potentially cause damage to your more expensive components.
One brand that’s well-known for producing reliable and efficient power supplies is Corsair. Their 1000 W power supply is an excellent choice for this build, offering high efficiency with an 80+ Gold certification.
Another great feature of this PSU is that it’s fully modular, which means you only have to plug in the cables that you require. This helps keep the inside of your PC free of clutter, as you don’t have to deal with all the extra cables that come with a non-modular power supply. Additionally, if you want to upgrade to custom cables in the future, a fully modular power supply allows you to do so easily.
