Whether you're streaming console gameplay to Twitch or offloading encoding from your gaming PC, a capture card is the key to a clean, low-lag broadcast. We tested the top models from AVerMedia and Elgato to find the best for every setup and budget.
If you stream games from a single PC, you might not need a capture card. But the moment you add a second machine, a console, or a DSLR as a webcam, you need one. A capture card takes a video signal from one device and routes it to another — usually to your streaming PC — without burdening your gaming rig with encoding overhead.1
The right card depends on what you're capturing, at what resolution, and whether you need to see the game on a high-refresh monitor while you play. Here's what we recommend.
| Pick | Capture | Passthrough | Interface | Price Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | 4K60 | 4K144 (HDMI 2.1) | USB-C | Premium |
| Elgato HD60 X | 1080p60 | 4K60 HDR | USB-C | Mid-Range |
| AVerMedia Live Gamer Extreme 3 | 4K30 | 4K60 HDR | USB-C | Mid-Range |
| Elgato Game Capture Neo | 1080p60 | 4K60 | USB-C | Budget |
| Elgato 4K X | 4K144 | 4K144 (HDMI 2.1) | USB-C | Premium |
If you want the best possible capture quality without compromise, this is it. The Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (GC553Pro) supports HDMI 2.1, meaning it can pass through 4K at 144 Hz while simultaneously capturing 4K at 60 fps.1 That's a game-changer for anyone playing on a high-refresh monitor while streaming to a separate PC.
It connects over USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1), works with OBS and Streamlabs out of the box, and supports VRR (variable refresh rate) passthrough — so your gameplay stays smooth even while you're broadcasting.
Specs: Capture: 4K60 / Passthrough: 4K144 / Interface: USB-C / Price: Premium
The HD60 X is the card most streamers end up buying. It captures 1080p60 and passes through 4K60 HDR with near-zero latency.1 It's USB-C, widely compatible, and dead simple to set up.
For the vast majority of streamers who game at 1440p or 4K60 and stream at 1080p60, this is the sweet spot. You get HDR passthrough, which matters if you play modern titles that support it, and the price is reasonable.
Specs: Capture: 1080p60 / Passthrough: 4K60 HDR / Interface: USB-C / Price: Mid-Range
The Live Gamer Extreme 3 (GC551G2) is AVerMedia's answer to the HD60 X. It captures 4K30 and passes through 4K60 HDR.2 The 4K30 capture is a small edge over the HD60 X if you occasionally want to record or stream in 4K — though most platforms still cap at 1080p60 for live broadcasts.
It's USB-C, supports HDR passthrough, and includes AVerMedia's RECentral software if you prefer a dedicated app over OBS.
Specs: Capture: 4K30 / Passthrough: 4K60 HDR / Interface: USB-C / Price: Mid-Range
The Game Capture Neo is Elgato's most affordable card, and it's genuinely good. It captures 1080p60 and passes through 4K60 with zero lag.1 No HDR, no bells, no whistles — just reliable, low-latency capture at a price that won't make you wince.
If you're just starting out, streaming from a console, or using a second PC for encoding, this is all you need. You can always upgrade later.
Specs: Capture: 1080p60 / Passthrough: 4K60 / Interface: USB-C / Price: Budget
The 4K X is Elgato's HDMI 2.1 entry, and it's a beast. It captures 4K at 144 Hz and passes through the same — so you can record or stream at the full refresh rate of your monitor.1 This is overkill for most people, but if you're a competitive streamer who wants every frame, it's the card to get.
Like the Ultra 2.1, it's USB-C and supports VRR passthrough.
Specs: Capture: 4K144 / Passthrough: 4K144 / Interface: USB-C / Price: Premium
These are the two numbers that matter most on a capture card spec sheet:
HDMI 2.1 cards like the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 and Elgato 4K X can pass through 4K at 144 Hz or higher. If you own a 4K 120 Hz+ monitor and want to stream from a console (PS5, Xbox Series X) or a second PC, HDMI 2.1 is worth the premium. If you're on a 1080p or 1440p monitor, standard HDMI 2.0 cards like the HD60 X will serve you fine.
All the cards above are external USB-C devices. They're plug-and-play, portable, and work with laptops. Internal PCIe cards (like the Elgato 4K60 Pro) offer slightly lower latency but require a desktop with an open slot and aren't as easy to swap between setups. For most streamers, USB is the better choice.1
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, AskBuy earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our recommendations — we only recommend what we'd use ourselves.
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