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Posted July 15, 2025
Streaming in 2025 isn’t just about gameplay or live content — it’s about community, creativity, and connection. With better tech and bigger audiences than ever, streaming has become one of the most fun and rewarding ways to share passions online.
But, beyond the gear, the magic of streaming lies in human connection. Streamers aren’t just performers — they’re community builders. Whether you’re hosting a live gaming session, a “just chatting” stream, a cooking class, or even a music set, the real fun comes from interacting with your viewers. Chat boxes buzz with jokes, support, and advice. Regular viewers turn into loyal fans, and sometimes even friends. For many, the stream becomes a second home — a digital hangout spot where everyone feels welcome.
Today’s streaming scene is more vibrant thanks to cutting-edge tools. With mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 IV, crystal-clear mics like the Shure SM7B, and sleek control devices like the Elgato Stream Deck+, creators can produce near-professional broadcasts from their bedrooms. Even budget setups deliver impressive quality, lowering the barrier for anyone to jump in and start sharing. I'll share a list of things to help get you started on your streaming journey.
First up, the PC
First up, the PC
The PC is a critical component to the setup as it is our main rig for capturing content for desktop. Mobile streaming has allowed us to use our phones for IRL streams but desktop is still king. Here are a few desktop setups and key components if you're upgrading in place to create the setup you need.
The minimum recommended specs for streaming can vary depending on which site you go to, but you'll generally focus on the CPU, RAM, and GPU. (Internet speed upload above 50mpbs is recommended.
You want the machine to have the following for 1080p and 60fps on a single PC setup, We'll put Intel first, then AMD.
Intel
Intel
Intel Core i7 14700K + motherboard - You can get these separately but you need to ensure the motherboard has the right socket. By buying a combo you can ensure that it's been picked correctly. This cpu has a socket LGA 1700, and the motherboard matches that and has wifi built in. Core i7 has plenty of power and performance for streaming and gaming.
nVidia GeForce 5070 (Intel is on the 5000 series now, but I have a 3090 right now and it works perfectly for single pc streaming. The 3090, 4090, and 5090 are all in the thousands, so getting a 5070 or 4070 will keep it under 1,000, and still has 12Gb DDR memory onboard.) AMD is also a good choice.
32GB RAM DDR 5 - you can generally get this in 2 modules (sticks), each with 16gb. However, Windows 11 can handle up to 128gb on home edition so if you intend to go higher, buy each stick in 32gb size. You do not want to go off brand if you can budget it, Corsair or Kingston are great.
CPU cooler, liquid is best but fan works too. Just make sure the size fits your case, either 240mm (2 fans) or 360mm (3 fans)
Power Supply Unit (PSU) at a minimum of 750w, I've moved up to 850 with the new GPU's taking more power
Samsung 990 SSD storage - 1TB recommended but 2TB preferred, lots of games are over 60+GB these days, space goes fast. NVME storage is smaller and faster, and you want the data to read and write fast for streaming and gaming. Samsung is top in my opinion, but Crucial is good too
AMD
AMD
The main difference for an AMD build is the motherboard and the chip. Motherboards have different socket types for each type.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D - the CPU can be purchased separately with the motherboard above, or a combo can be found here
AMD 9070 XT GPU - You can use the recommended 5070 GPU listed above or try an AMD GPU, both excellent choices.
32GB RAM DDR 5 - you can generally get this in 2 modules (sticks), each with 16gb. However, Windows 11 can handle up to 128gb on home edition so if you intend to go higher, buy each stick in 32gb size. You do not want to go off-brand if you can budget it, Corsair or Kingston are great.
CPU cooler, liquid is best but fan works too. Just make sure the size fits your case, either 240mm (2 fans) or 360mm (3 fans)
Power Supply Unit (PSU) at a minimum of 750w, I've moved up to 850 with the new GPU's taking more power
Samsung 990 SSD storage - 1TB recommended but 2TB preferred, lots of games are over 60+GB these days, space goes fast. NVME storage is smaller and faster, and you want the data to read and write fast for streaming and gaming. Samsung is top in my opinion, but Crucial is good too
Pre-built PC's
Pre-built PC's
If you don't want to build a PC or just want to skip to the good stuff, then I've got you covered. There are a few I can link here, but also some sites let you build one as well. Recommendations are below, no affiliations, just reputable companies.
Solid build with great specs, 4070 Super, 32 GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a Core i714700F
$1999
Very similar stats as the Aurora, just $300 less. RTX 4070, 32 GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a Core i714700KF
$1699
Another great company that does pre-built, Skytech has this AMD build with a Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8Ghz, RTX 5070 Ti, 1TB SSD storage, 32GB DDR5 RAM
$2399
Let's move on to monitors
Let's move on to monitors
Monitors have little to do with the actual stream, but more for gaming. Still, we want good ones right? If you are staying on a budget, you want to stick closer to ones that have 60hz refresh and 1080p. If you are looking to go with a beefier build, you can look at IPS, curved, 4k, and larger sizes like over 30 inches.
Let's talk about a few of these things below, make some recommendations, and then discuss monitor mounts vs built-in mounts.
1. Refresh Rate (Hz)
1. Refresh Rate (Hz)
Measures how many times the screen updates per second.
60Hz → Basic use, console gaming.
120–165Hz → Excellent for most PC games.
240–360Hz+ → For competitive esports like CS2, Valorant.
👉 Higher Hz = smoother motion, but you need a strong GPU to match it.
3. Resolution
3. Resolution
1080p (FHD) → Easy to run, cheaper, great for esports.
1440p (QHD) → Sweet spot for sharp visuals + performance.
4K (UHD) → Gorgeous detail, but very GPU demanding.
👉 Balance resolution with your PC’s graphics power.
5. Panel Type
5. Panel Type
IPS → Best colors + viewing angles, slightly slower response.
VA → Great contrast, deeper blacks, but can have ghosting.
TN → Fastest response, weaker color and angles (less common now).
👉 IPS is usually the best all-rounder.
7. HDR (High Dynamic Range)
7. HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Expands brightness and color range.
True HDR (DisplayHDR 600 or higher) looks stunning — but avoid fake “HDR” labels on budget monitors.
2. Response Time (ms)
2. Response Time (ms)
How fast a pixel changes from one color to another.
1–3 ms (GtG or MPRT) is ideal for gaming — reduces ghosting/blurring.
👉 Look for low response time especially in fast-paced games.
4. Adaptive Sync (G-Sync / FreeSync)
4. Adaptive Sync (G-Sync / FreeSync)
Matches monitor refresh rate with GPU frame rate to eliminate screen tearing.
G-Sync → NVIDIA cards; FreeSync → AMD (some monitors now support both).
👉 Always worth getting if you care about smoothness.
6. Screen Size + Curvature
6. Screen Size + Curvature
24–27" → Best for most desks, especially esports.
32–34" ultrawide → Amazing immersion for single-player and sim games.
Curved (1000R–1800R) → Helps wrap the image around you, especially on ultrawides.
8. Ports + Connectivity
8. Ports + Connectivity
HDMI 2.1 → Required for 4K 120Hz on PS5/Xbox Series X.
DisplayPort 1.4/2.1 → Best for PC high refresh rate.
Check for USB-C if you want to hook up laptops or docks.
The monitors below are all 27 inches, which is a great size to start out with: 24 would be my minimum, 32 max. If going Ultrawide, see below.
High end
High end
AOC 27", QHD resolution, 240hz and .03 response rate with G-Sync
The mac daddy of all Ultra-Wide is the 49" Samsung Dual QHD. You can fit 2 whole screens worth of content side by side, .03ms response, with G-SYNC. $949 right now as of 5/2/2025 but normally $1599.
Web cams
Web cams
Everyone wants to look their best in front of an audience, but what does that mean in today's world? You need to look at 2 different aspects, resolution, and ease of use.
Resolution
Resolution
Resolution is king generally depending on where the viewer is choosing to display the stream. You, as a creator, want to look your best in full 16k resolution and have pixel perfect transmission to the viewer. However, the user, is not always viewing the stream in full HD, or 4k, or the highest resolution, depending on bandwidth. The critical mass becomes bandwidth when thinking about what the end user is seeing vs what the streamer is encoding.
Phone users, who may be off wi-fi, are likely pulling up the stream in 720p or perhaps lower, so the tiny facecam box they see is going to be barely discernable if the streamer is set up with a camera that only does 1080p or lower. Most cameras today are easily capable of producing content at this resolution and are plug and play with PC's or Mac.
PC viewers are likely going to bump it up to source, or whatever resolution the streamer is encoding, to get max quality. Same with folks on a tv or a tablet. If you are streaming a game or desktop with a small camera box, again, a 1080p may be the right resolution. If you are a just chatting streamer, with full screen camera box, then you may opt for 4k if you prefer larger screens to have the best quality. The choice is up to you, monitors are 1080, 2k, 4k, and so are TV's. You never know what folks are viewing on, just know there are options.
Some options below will help you as you begin this journey
Some options below will help you as you begin this journey
Full 1080p 60 FPS
Plug and play
Works with OBS, Teams, Zoom
Elgato software is good
4K quality
Plug and play
Works with OBS, Teams, Zoom
Software exists, not the best, not required either
4K quality
Zoom lens included
Works with OBS, Teams, Zoom
Requires HDMI capture card
Amazing camera to walk around with as well
Next up...lighting!
Good lighting is just as important as the camera, and can make a cheaper camera look better than low light with a good camera. Do you need to have lights with multi-colors, auto on/off, and all kinds of bells and whistles? No! I've used the cheapest setup you can find, as in a $7 clip on bench lamp from Home Depot, up to the Elgato Ring Light, which is integrated into the Stream Deck, fully controlled with push button step up brightness and color.
Ring Lights $30-$50
Ring Lights $30-$50
Ring lights are popular in photography, videography, and content creation because they provide even, flattering lighting. Here's why they're considered good:
Even, Diffused Light
Even, Diffused Light
Ring lights emit light in a circular pattern, reducing harsh shadows.
This evenly illuminates the face or subject, which is especially useful for beauty, makeup, and portrait shots.
Flattering to Skin
Flattering to Skin
The soft light minimizes blemishes and wrinkles, making skin appear smoother and more radiant.
Minimizes Shadows
Minimizes Shadows
Because the light comes from all around the camera lens, it helps reduce shadows on the subject’s face or background.
Compact and Easy to Use
They’re generally lightweight, easy to set up, and don’t take up much space, making them ideal for at-home setups, streaming, and mobile use.
Adjustable Brightness and Color
Adjustable Brightness and Color
Many ring lights let you change brightness levels and color temperatures (warm/cool), giving you creative control over your lighting.
Video lighting kits $40-$100
Video lighting kits $40-$100
These kits are easy to setup and allow for you to do many things that you can with the ring lights as well, but since there are two, you want to set them up at a 45 degree angle on each side so you can create flattering light.
Diffused light with dimmable panels
Remote controls are on the cord, not easy to use when streaming, but handy to set up before you go live
Cheap bundle for 2 lights that can sit on tripods
Attach a phone if you want to use them off stream for mobile content
Change color temperature from cool to warm as needed
Microphones
One of my favorite pieces of gear is the microphone. I've had so many over the years, from condenser, to dynamic, from standard USB interface, all the way to professional mixer level interfaces. The choices are vast, they are not all built the same, and I can help you with recommendations. I will list them in order of easy to install and configure to more complex but studio quality options. You'll also need to look at whether you need an interface and a mic arm to hold it, but we'll get to that once we look at the mics.
First things first, Dynamic vs Condenser, which is better?
Dynamic Mics
Pros
Durable & Rugged: Can handle rough handling, moisture, and high SPL (sound pressure levels).
No external power needed: Doesn't require phantom power.
Great for live performances: Excellent for vocals, guitar amps, drums, etc.
Less sensitive to background noise: Good in untreated or noisy environments.
Cons
Lower sensitivity and detail: Not ideal for capturing subtle nuances.
Limited frequency response: Not as crisp or detailed as condensers.
Options
Top quality mic used by pros
XLR interface required
Shock mount included
Built in pre-amp for up to +28db of gain
$549
Condenser
Pros
High sensitivity and accuracy: Captures more detail and nuance.
Wide frequency response: Great for rich, clear sound.
Ideal for studio recordings: Especially for vocals and acoustic instruments.
Cons
More fragile: Sensitive to moisture and rough handling.
Requires phantom power
Picks up more background noise: Needs a quiet, treated environment.
Options
Available in USB or XLR version
Trusted sound quality
Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup from external noise
Wide dynamic range
Requires phantom power
USB Interface
Great USB mic
Comes with Wave software which is amazing
Includes desktop stand and boom arm
Whichever you get, consider these items as well, some are required depending on the type
Boom Arm
Boom Arm
A boom arm is what keeps the mic on the desk as opposed to a desk stand. When streaming, it's nice to keep it away from the desk and allow freedom for your mouse and keyboard to be centered. The one on the left is sturdy, holds any mic, and is low profile. There are many you can find on Amazon.
Mic Interfaces
These devices will allow you to connect an XLR mic to a computer via USB. There are simple ones like the Solo from Focusrite, up to the fancier Elgato Stream Deck with an XLR interface, kills 2 birds with 1 stone though.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
Simple interface
2 xlr inputs
Gain and phantom power
No software required
$109
Elgato Stream Deck +
2 devices in 1
Sliders and buttons
Digital interface
Create loops, add buttons for sounds or actions
Dials for volume and mixer
$199
Fifine Gaming Audio Mixer
Tons of bells and whistles
Sliders
Looping and macros
Visual audio meter
$39
Things you may consider, but are not required in all cases.
Stream Deck has multitudes of uses from controlling media volume, to running custom actions like sound alerts, to opening programs, web pages, and more. I can't live without one.
If you are reading a video script for YouTube this can be extremely helpful. There are online prompters but you need to focus on a different screen.
These are superior audio and comfortable with pass-through audio so you can hear around you as well
Thus ends our guide on products for getting started with streaming. It may seem like a lot, and what I listed is, but it's not all required at once. You may begin streaming from your phone camera and do some IRL things, or you may have a laptop that you can just connect a camera and a small light, and off you go using the PC mic and headphones. Whatever your journey, these items are here to help you along the way. If you have any questions you can always email me at info.reviewiq@gmail.com
Happy Streaming!
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