Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Streaming While Gaming
Five cards with hardware AV1 encoders, so a stream runs on the GPU's encoder instead of taxing the CPU.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Streaming software such as OBS can encode video on the graphics card's dedicated encoder, which leaves the CPU free for the game. All five cards here support AV1 encoding, which platforms such as YouTube accept.
We compared VRAM and size from each listing and encoder support from NVIDIA and Intel documentation. Check your streaming platform's supported codecs before choosing AV1 over H.264.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best for 4K Streaming Rigs
MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC BlackAn RTX 5080 with 16GB of GDDR7.
Best for: Streaming high-resolution games.
Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC Black on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Balance for Streamers
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OCAn RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of GDDR7.
Best for: 1440p play while streaming.
Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 12GB Streaming Card
MSI Gaming RTX 5070 12G Ventus 3X OCAn RTX 5070 with three DisplayPort 2.1a outputs.
Best for: Streamers on a mid-range budget.
Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 5070 12G Ventus 3X OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 16GB for Less
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OCAn RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of GDDR7.
Best for: Streaming at 1080p with room for VRAM.
Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Budget AV1 Encoder
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OCAn Arc B580 with 12GB and one 8-pin connector.
Best for: First streaming setups.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for 4K Streaming Rigs1 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Ventus 3X OC Black
MSI's Ventus 3X Black puts the same RTX 5080 chip and 16GB of GDDR7 in a plainer card.
Best for
- Streaming high-resolution games.
Skip if
- Its cooler thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It cost less than the ASUS TUF at the time of writing, but MSI does not list its length in this listing. It matches the ASUS Prime and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5080 gpu; compare the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, which has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu.
You get a 2640MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its a 2740MHz boost clock. It also offers a 256-bit memory interface and a 7680 x 4320 maximum digital resolution. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASUS Prime and the rest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5080
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Boost clock
- 2640MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- 256-bit memory interface
- 7680 x 4320 maximum digital resolution
Cons
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
Best Balance for Streamers2 of 5
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC
The ASUS Prime is the best-documented card here: ASUS offers a 306mm length, a 2.5-slot cooler, a 750W minimum power supply and a 2527MHz OC-mode boost.
Best for
- 1440p play while streaming.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs a 16-pin 12V-2x6 power cable rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
A dual BIOS switch toggles quiet and performance modes, and the fans stop at light load. On video memory it ties with the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB at 16GB. It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB on cooler thickness (2.5-slot).
You get an RTX 5070 Ti gpu here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its an arc B580 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X has a 2640MHz boost clock instead. Power for the ASUS Prime comes through 16-pin 12V-2x6, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Prime fits every small case.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Length
- 306mm
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU
- 750W
- Power connector
- 16-pin 12V-2x6
- Boost clock
- 2527MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes
Cons
- Needs a 16-pin 12V-2x6 power cable
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Best 12GB Streaming Card3 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 5070 12G Ventus 3X OC
The Ventus 3X is MSI's plain take on the RTX 5070: three TORX fans, a copper baseplate and 12GB of GDDR7.
Best for
- Streamers on a mid-range budget.
Skip if
- The maker gives no cooler thickness, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
Three DisplayPort 2.1a outputs and one HDMI 2.1b cover most monitor setups. It matches the Arc B580 Challenger on video memory (12GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 5070 gpu; the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X has an RTX 5080 gpu instead.
A 2557MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Prime uses a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock. You also get a vented metal backplate. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X with the maker. Its price falls between the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5070
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Boost clock
- 2557MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Three TORX Fan 5.0 fans
- Nickel-plated copper baseplate
Cons
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the Arc B580 Challenger, which comes in at 249mm.
Best 16GB for Less4 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the lower-cost NVIDIA route to 16GB at 1440p.
Best for
- Streaming at 1080p with room for VRAM.
Skip if
- Skip it if cooler thickness matters most to you; the Arc B580 Challenger offers 2-slot.
Why we like it
It is a 2.5-slot card with 0dB fan stop and dual-ball fan bearings. It matches the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Prime on video memory (16GB). On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Prime at 2.5-slot.
A 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Prime uses a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It also comes with a quiet/performance dual BIOS. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB with the maker. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Prime, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 2632MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Cooler thickness trails the Arc B580 Challenger (2-slot)
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the Arc B580 Challenger, which comes in at 249mm.
Budget AV1 Encoder5 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- First streaming setups.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X offers 16GB.
Why we like it
ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. On video memory it ties with the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X at 12GB. On cooler thickness it leads this guide at 2-slot, ahead of the ASUS Prime (2.5-slot).
You get an arc B580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and its an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. No other pick in this guide offers GDDR6 memory; compare the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X, which has GDDR7 memory. It is the only pick here with a 2740MHz boost clock; the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X has a 2640MHz boost clock instead.
You also get a 192-bit memory bus at 19Gbps and dual-fan cooling with 0dB fan stop. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X was closest.
Key specs
- GPU
- Arc B580
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 249mm
- Thickness
- 2-slot
- Recommended PSU
- 650W
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2740MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Video memory trails the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X (16GB)
The catch
Video memory is its weakest area, and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X covers it better at 16GB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and card length and cooler thickness are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X to the Arc B580 Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB give no card length; the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X (over $1500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Streaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 12GB (the Arc B580 Challenger) to 16GB (the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X). The ASUS Prime comes second at 16GB, in the $1000 to $1500 tier against over $1500 for the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X.
How much cooler thickness you need
The Arc B580 Challenger tops cooler thickness at 2-slot and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB sits lowest at 2.5-slot. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the Arc B580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 2-slot. The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X give no cooler thickness figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Card length
The Arc B580 Challenger tops card length at 249mm and the ASUS Prime sits lowest at 306mm. The Arc B580 Challenger is the pick for card length. The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the ASUS Prime, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB list GDDR7; the Arc B580 Challenger lists GDDR6. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 4 or 1.
Power connector
The ASUS Prime lists 16-pin 12V-2x6; the Arc B580 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin.
How to Choose a GPUs for Streaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming high-resolution games | MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X | An RTX 5080 with 16GB of GDDR7 |
| 1440p play while streaming | ASUS Prime | An RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of GDDR7 |
| Streamers on a mid-range budget | MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X | An RTX 5070 with three DisplayPort 2.1a outputs |
| Streaming at 1080p with room for VRAM | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | An RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of GDDR7 |
| First streaming setups | Arc B580 Challenger | An Arc B580 with 12GB and one 8-pin connector |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASUS Prime at 16GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X | RTX 5080 | 16GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 306mm |
| MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X | RTX 5070 | 12GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| Arc B580 Challenger | Arc B580 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Arc B580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X the highest (over $1500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B580 Challenger |
| About $500 to $1000 | MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X, ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
| About $1000 to $1500 | ASUS Prime |
| Over $1500 | MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Arc B580 Challenger or the ASUS Prime?
Between the top two, it is 2-slot on the Arc B580 Challenger against 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime, a 20% difference. No cooler thickness figure is published for the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the ASUS Prime on card length?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on card length at 249mm; the ASUS Prime follows at 306mm, 19% apart. The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB don't state a card length figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the ASUS Prime on recommended power supply?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on recommended power supply at 650W; the ASUS Prime follows at 750W, 13% apart. The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X, the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB don't state a recommended power supply figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X add over the Arc B580 Challenger?
The spec sheets show video memory (16GB against 12GB) in its favour. On our last price check the Arc B580 Challenger was in the $250 to $500 tier and the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X in the over $1500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
Why is the Arc B580 Challenger our Budget AV1 Encoder pick?
The label rests on an Arc B580 with 12GB and one 8-pin connector. It is aimed at first streaming setups.
Do the MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X and the ASUS Prime differ on GPU?
The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X uses RTX 5080; the ASUS Prime uses RTX 5070 Ti; the MSI RTX 5070 Ventus 3X uses RTX 5070; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Arc B580 Challenger uses Arc B580.
Bottom Line
The MSI RTX 5080 Ventus 3X suits high-resolution streaming rigs, and the ASUS Prime RTX 5070 Ti is the balanced pick. The MSI RTX 5070 and ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB cost less, and the Arc B580 is the budget way into AV1.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming and Streaming
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards
- Related guideThe Best CPUs for Gaming and Productivity
- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Under $300
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End GPUs
- ExplainerHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
- ExplainerGPU Power Connectors Explained
- Check compatibility: power suppliesHow to choose a power supply for a PC build
- Similar guideThe Best AMD GPUs
- Topic hubAll graphics cards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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