Best Processor for Streaming: The world today belongs to digital media. One of the most important elements of the digital age that we are living in today has been streaming and other digital content. A few of the areas would include Live streaming, video editing, streaming games, and other such activities and you will need to check out a few great options for the best CPU for streaming.
If you are one of the gamers, streamers, and content creators, this would be a simple case scenario for picking the best processor for streaming.
Best Processor for Streaming
1. AMD Ryzen 9 3950X Processor
AMD’s Ryzen 9 3900X is part of the new Zen 2 architecture which brings quite a lot of improvements and puts a bit of pressure on Intel. It’s also one of the most expensive new AMD CPUs released, but with all the performance you’ll get from it, it may very well be worth the asking price.
The first thing you’ll want to know is that it’s made on a TSMC 7nm FinFET process and uses AMD’s AM4 socket. Yes, that’s the same socket that previous generations of Ryzen used, so you could use an older X470 or B450 motherboard with it. With a CPU this powerful, though, we’d recommend getting one of the newer X570 motherboards.
To round out the package, you have dual-channel memory support at 3200 Mhz, and a TDP of 105W. It’s an unlocked CPU, so overclocking is certainly an option, but you may want something a bit more powerful than the included Wraith Prism cooler for that. That included cooler is also a reason why the 3900X is a better value than the 9900K.
2. Intel Core i9-9900K Desktop Processor
The Intel Core i9-9900K is a good choice for streaming games if you are not looking for very high-quality graphics. Also, people who do not play many games will find it worth considering for purchase.
Moreover, with its efficient performance, it is hence known as the fastest mainstream CPU. It provides quick running without hindering your gaming or browsing experience. Thus, this makes the Intel i9-9900K one of the best CPUs for streaming.
However, the machine has a tendency to get hot due to its many pores. Thus, ensure that you purchase a cooling kit or have one handy in order to prevent it from heating up.
3. Intel Core i7-8700K Desktop Processor
There are two reasons why we have the 8700k on the list and not the 9700k. One, it’s $40 cheaper than its successor. Two, buying the i7 9700k isn’t that easy. Thanks to a whole host of issues with Intel’s manufacturing processes, the 9700k is usually not in stock with most vendors.
So, that being the case, the Intel 8700k is pretty much the best processor for streaming today. The 8700k has a no-nonsense 6 core, 12 thread combination. While that might not seem like a lot, it actually is.
One last advantage that the 8700k has is that it’s excellent at handling “heavy games”. Basically, games that have very complicated physics, lots of data, AI, etc.. So, in essence, with the Intel i7 8700k, you sacrifice multitasking performance slightly. In return, you get excellent gaming performance and more-than-enough streaming performance too.
Now, just so that we’re clear, the i7 9700k — the successor — is better. Though the margins aren’t high, the 9700k is definitely better. However, if you’re one of the many people who just aren’t able to find one on sale, the Intel i7 8700k is the way to go.
4. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core
The sweet spot for a streaming CPU at the moment. 8 cores and 16 threads, pretty good gaming performance, and amazing productivity performance for the price. With its new pricing, the Ryzen 7 3700X is a much better choice than the i5 10600K, which costs about the same.
The 3700X is also a better choice than the Core i7-10700K. Intel CPU has better gaming performance but when used for streaming the two are practically the same. And, at the moment, the 10700K is way more expensive than the Ryzen 7 3700X.
Finally, the 3700X’s productivity performance means you’ll be able to use it for video editing and other tasks, not just for gaming. And this is where the AMD processor shines since its trading blows with the i7-10700K while being much more affordable to buy. Overall, this is a perfect CPU for those looking for an all-around mid-range CPU. It’s great for productivity and streaming while being pretty good for gaming too.
5. AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Processor with Wraith Spire Cooler
The AMD Ryzen 5 2600X CPU is the most cost-effective processor on this list. It works great as a standard gaming CPU, but unfortunately, its lower price tag also comes with lesser performance with regard to streaming.
It works fine for 1080 streaming and gaming, but with only 6 cores and 12 threads, it lacks the efficiency and some of the capabilities of its Ryzen 7 series counterparts. Both the Ryzen 7 2700X and 2700 are significantly better than the Ryzen 5 2600X.
Its gaming and streaming performances don’t measure up to its higher-end AMD or Intel industry peers, but operating on a budget can be difficult. You can always upgrade as your streaming fanbase increases, and this CPU lets you jog out of the gate before you sprint.
6. Intel Core i5-10600K Desktop Processor
Intel’s Core i5 10600K is a much better value proposition against the Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 7 3700X than its predecessor – the Core i5 9600K – was. The 10600K is a genuinely great chip for the price, as it trounces over the 3600, 3700X, and often even the 3900X in games.
The Ryzen 5 3600 still just about takes the title as the best gaming CPU because it offers better multi-core performance in CPU-intensive apps, and because it’s still a cheaper option, but the 10600K is justifiable if you have your eyes set on gaming alone. And if it’s overclocking you’re after, the 10600K is the best chip for it. It’s super easy to get a few hundred MHz out of this processor, and this translates directly into frame rates, putting it close even to the 10900K. If you’re in it purely for gaming and overclocking, the 10600K can’t be beaten.
How to choose the Best Streaming CPU
Each CPUs comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the best options you should look for in your pick of the best CPU for gaming and streaming would include the best turbo speeds and an excellent configuration.
The practicality of the situation would be one of the most essential factors you would want to focus on if you are checking out the options for AMD or Intel for streaming. The streaming services would require the highest priced processor and that is exactly what you would want to focus on if you need the best CPU for streaming. However, instead of picking just the high end CPUs, you can go with the CPUs that offer you both high power and better software encoding.
Is AMD better than Intel for streaming?
Choosing the AMD or Intel for streaming would not be a concern if the CPU you choose meets your individual personal preferences. It would be dependent on the system you have picked and the best processor for streaming need not necessarily be from Intel or AMD. Of course, Intel builds better gaming software when compared to AMD. However, even AMD processors are known to provide better multithreaded performance
Do you need HEDT for Streaming Purposes?
That is yet another query that you would normally face when picking the best streaming CPU. HEDT stands for High-End Desktops. Well, you do not need the HEDTs for streaming. You would be astonished to know that even professional gamers do not need or use a HEDT.
Using older CPUs for streaming may not be something that would need to be ruled out. If you are checking out the options for the best processor for streaming, and you have an older CPU already, it would be one of the excellent options to go with your older CPU. The older CPU can work as the perfect option for the best streaming CPU. However, too old a CPU can introduce issues such as poor performance. If you do not want to lose out on the processing power, it would be advisable to go with the best CPU for gaming and streaming by checking out the new options for the best CPU for streaming.
Streaming is becoming a hobby for most of us and that is exactly why it is quite essential and important to choose the best processor for streaming. Check out the excellent options for the best in terms of streaming using Twitch, Mixer, or YouTube and get access to an enhanced experience for gaining a perfect experience ever.