Dual PC workflows are a huge part of most of the top-tier streamers’ setups.
While computer hardware has continued to evolve to make single PC streaming possible for a
more casual level - you really can’t beat the flexibility of a dual setup, especially
when that means there’s no performance impact on games.
The problem is, gaming setups have moved away from 1080p60 being “high end” and now
1440p, 4k, and 120 or 140hz monitors are becoming much more common to game on.
In older versions of Windows (even pre FCU Windows 10) you could force-clone a high refresh
or high resolution (but not both) video feed to a 1080p60 capture card, but you’d get
nasty screen tearing.
Using something like NDI is neat for a lot of things, but even on my high end rigs, just
having OBS open on the gaming rig at all causes framerate issues.
There are lots of other workarounds out there, but they all involve sacrificing capability
of some kind or introducing tearing, jitter, or other issues.
I’m EposVox, here to make tech easier and more fun today showing you my guide for using
the Elgato 4K60 Pro for dual PC high refresh rate streaming setups.
Previously, capture cards that supported such a setup were too expensive, too, at over $800,
but the Elgato 4K60 Pro at just $400 - which may seem expensive compared to 1080p capture
cards, but it’s actually quite affordable for the 4k capture market as explained in
my review here - has come along and supports not only 4K 60fps, but 1080p up to 240hz and
1440p up to 144hz, too!
That’s why they sponsored this video to show you how to use their new capture card
to stream and record 1440p144 (or whichever high refresh/resolution combo you enjoy) within
a dual PC setup.
We’ll be covering two methods - cloning your non-HDMI monitor setup to the 4K60 Pro
(for those w/ monitors that don’t have HDMI 2.0 and are hooked up via DisplayPort or DVI),
and using the 4K60 Pro’s HDMI 2.0 passthrough to a HDMI 2.0 capable monitor.
I’ll also briefly show how to add the 4K60 Pro to OBS Studio or your favorite software.
For this we’ll be using the BenQ Zowie XL2730, a 27-inch 1440p 144hz monitor made for fast-paced
gaming.
These settings will be focused on 1440p 144hz for this monitor, but of course you can simply
adjust for your desired setup specs.
Big note: MAKE SURE you’re using HDMI 2.0 18gbps compatible HDMI cables.
Your old HDMI cables for your Xbox 360 or older 1080p days WILL NOT work for high resolutions
and refresh rates.
Non HDMI 2.0 Setup We’ll start with the more common setup:
Your main monitor is connected to your gaming PC via DisplayPort or maybe DVI.
To use the 4K60 Pro, start by running the HDMI output of your PC’s graphics card to
the 4K60 Pro.
If you’re already using the dedicated HDMI output of your graphics card, you can use
a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter, BUT you need to make sure it’s a DisplayPort 1.4 or newer
to HDMI 2.0 or newer adapter, or you won’t be able to push the signal correctly.
And honestly it would be smarter to use said adapter for your secondary monitor or whatever
you’re using the HDMI for now, and run the dedicated HDMI out to the 4K60 Pro.
Just to eliminate possible points of incompatibility.
On your streaming rig, run the Elgato 4K Capture Utility.
Click the settings cog in the top right.
Change “Input EDID Mode” to “Internal” and then change “EDID” to 1440p.
Back on your gaming rig, open up the Windows 10 “Display Settings”.
Change the settings to clone your main monitor and the 4K60 output together.
Click where it says “Multiple Displays” and choose “Duplicate Desktop on __ and
__” depending on your setup.
This would be 1 and 2 if you just have 1 monitor on your gaming rig.
Now open up your graphics driver Control Panel, go to display options and confirm that your
output is set to 1440p and 144hz.
You may need to manually set this again, but it should work.
Finally, check your 4K Capture Utility settings and confirm that the “Video Input” signal
is 1440p 144hz as well.
HDMI 2.0 Setup If you have a HDMI 2.0 capable monitor, this
setup is actually a LOT easier.
This works much like a console to capture card setup would.
Simply run a HDMI cable from your graphics card to the Elgato 4K60 Pro’s input, and
another from the 4K60 Pro’s output to your monitor.
Check your Windows 10 Display Settings or graphics card Control Panel and make sure
your resolution and refresh rate are set correctly - to 1440p 144hz in our case.
Open the Elgato 4K Capture Utility and verify that the input signal is set correctly, as
well.
You can set “Input EDID Mode” to Display for generally best results here.
Adding 4K60 Pro to software Then you’re good to go!
Ready to capture and stream in beautiful, smooth, 1440p 144hz.
Next, let’s cover how to add the 4K60 Pro to OBS Studio.
Similar principles can be applied to any streaming software you prefer.
With OBS open (and the 4K Capture utility closed) on your streaming rig, add a new Video
Capture Device.
Choose the “Game Capture 4K60 Pro Video 01” device.
For settings, use what you see on screen now.
Resolution set to custom and 2560x1440.
Framerate set to highest.
Format: YV12.
Color range and space on default.
Buffering disabled.
Set your audio output mode as needed.
Stream Only is default and should work fine for most.
Check to use “Custom Audio Device” and choose “Game Capture 4K60 Pro (audio) 01”
device.
You may need to scale the video source to your canvas, depending on the rest of your
settings.
And viola, 2PC 1440p 144hz setup with no lag, tearing, jittering, or framerate impact on
the streaming PC!
Then you’re good to go!
Ready to capture and stream in beautiful, smooth, 1440p 144hz.
If you enjoyed this guide, hit the like button and subscribe for more awesome tech content.
Affiliate product links for the Elgato 4K60 Pro will be in the description below.
Down there is a link to my Twitch where you can follow to watch me stream… the rare
times I do so.
I’m EposVox, I’ll see you next time.
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