For gamers and streamers alike, capturing gameplay footage with high quality and low latency is essential in 2025.
Whether you’re building your audience on Twitch, creating YouTube content, or just want to save your best moments, a capture card can make a significant difference.
But are capture cards truly necessary in the age of powerful GPUs and advanced software encoders? This guide will help you understand how capture cards work, when you need one, and what to consider before buying.
What Is a Capture Card and What Does It Do?
A capture card is a hardware device that records or streams video and audio from an external source, such as a gaming console or another PC. It captures the signal and either stores it or sends it to software like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) for live streaming or recording.
Capture cards are commonly used by streamers to offload the processing of video capture from their gaming machine to another device. This allows smoother gameplay and higher stream quality at the same time.
Who Should Use a Capture Card?
Capture cards are primarily beneficial for three types of users: console gamers, dual-PC streamers, and content creators who need the highest quality recordings.
If you’re a console gamer, a capture card is the only reliable way to stream or record your gameplay in high resolution. Most consoles, like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, support basic streaming features, but they lack the customization and control of a PC-based setup.
For dual-PC streamers, capture cards are essential. The idea is to game on one PC and use the second one exclusively for encoding and streaming. A capture card bridges the two systems, sending the video signal from the gaming PC to the streaming PC with minimal delay.
Internal vs. External Capture Cards
Capture cards come in two main formats: internal (PCIe) and external (USB or Thunderbolt). Choosing between them depends on your setup and preferences.
Internal capture cards, installed directly into a motherboard’s PCIe slot, usually offer lower latency and more stable performance. They are ideal for desktop PCs with available slots and users who want a permanent, high-bandwidth connection.
External capture cards are portable and easy to use. They connect via USB or Thunderbolt and work well with laptops or users who switch between systems. While they might have slightly higher latency, the difference is minimal for most use cases.
Popular Capture Card Brands and Models
Some of the most trusted brands in the capture card market include Elgato, AVerMedia, Razer, and ASUS. Let’s break down some popular models and what makes them stand out.
Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 (Internal): Perfect for creators wanting to record or stream in 4K at 60fps. Offers ultra-low latency and HDR support.
Elgato HD60 X (External): Great for console gamers or mobile setups. It supports variable refresh rates, 4K passthrough, and USB 3.0 connectivity.
AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K: Supports 4K HDR content, customizable RGB lighting, and high bitrates for advanced creators.
Razer Ripsaw HD: Combines simplicity with solid performance. Works well for 1080p60 streaming with 4K passthrough.
Do You Really Need a Capture Card in 2025?
If you’re a casual streamer or content creator using a powerful gaming PC, you might not need a capture card. Software like OBS and NVIDIA ShadowPlay can handle encoding efficiently using your GPU.
However, a capture card becomes valuable when you face performance issues during recording or streaming, or when you want to move your workload to a second PC. For competitive gameplay where every frame counts, minimizing encoding impact on your main system is a big deal.
For console gamers, capture cards remain a necessity. If you want overlays, scene transitions, camera feeds, and professional quality, streaming directly from a console won’t cut it.
Key Specs to Consider Before Buying
When choosing a capture card, here are the most important specs to check:
Input resolution and frame rate: Does it support 1080p60 or 4K60? If you’re planning to stream or record in high quality, make sure the card matches your needs.
Passthrough resolution and latency: Passthrough lets you play the game in real time while the card captures the signal. Choose a card with zero-lag passthrough at your monitor’s native resolution.
USB vs PCIe: Consider how it connects to your computer and what bandwidth you’ll need. For 4K60, PCIe or USB 3.0+ is essential.
Software compatibility: Check whether the card is fully compatible with OBS, Streamlabs, or your preferred streaming software.
Audio handling: Some cards support multi-channel audio, external mic input, or audio mixing, which can be useful for streamers who manage multiple audio sources.
Setup and Optimization Tips
Installing a capture card can be plug-and-play, but to get the best results, there are a few extra steps you should take.
Update all drivers and firmware from the manufacturer’s site to ensure compatibility and stability. Use high-quality HDMI cables and ensure your device supports HDCP passthrough if you’re capturing from a console.
In OBS or your recording software, configure your sources properly and check bitrate settings. For 1080p60, a bitrate of 6,000 kbps is standard for Twitch. For local recording, you can go much higher.
Make sure your scenes are optimized. A laggy stream is usually caused by high CPU usage or improper encoding settings. If using a capture card, offload as much as possible to the second PC.
Advanced Use Cases and Features
Some advanced capture cards offer unique features that can make your workflow smoother. These include:
Multi-device streaming: For creators who capture multiple inputs (like console and camera) simultaneously.
Hardware encoding: A few capture cards offer built-in H.264 or H.265 encoding, saving resources on your PC.
HDR capture and passthrough: For gamers using HDR monitors or TVs, support for HDR is a great feature, though it may limit streaming compatibility.
Scene switching with hardware buttons: Some high-end models come with onboard buttons or integration with streaming decks for fast scene transitions.
Capture Cards for Portable Setups
If you stream or record while traveling, an external capture card is your best bet. Devices like the Elgato Cam Link 4K or AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus are compact and reliable.
For laptop-based workflows, ensure your device has USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt ports for stable connections. Use a powered USB hub if you need to plug in multiple accessories.
Are Cheap Capture Cards Worth It?
Budget capture cards from lesser-known brands may look attractive, but they often come with compromises. Common issues include:
- Lower resolution support (only 720p)
- Inconsistent frame rates or dropped frames
- Driver and software compatibility issues
- Poor build quality or overheating
If you’re just starting out and need something simple, a mid-range option from a trusted brand is safer. You’ll save time and avoid frustration down the line.
Final Verdict: Should You Get a Capture Card?
If you’re serious about content creation or want the flexibility and control of a professional streaming setup, a capture card is worth the investment in 2025.
It gives you greater control over your stream or recording quality, offloads your system, and enables dual-PC workflows or console streaming with minimal latency. Just make sure to pick a card that matches your resolution needs, system configuration, and streaming goals.
Even in a world of powerful CPUs and GPUs, dedicated hardware like capture cards still has its place for gamers and creators looking to take their content to the next level.
