Unlock high-quality video capturing and streaming with advanced internal capture cards. Level up your content creation game today!
Contents
- 1 Elgato Game Capture HD60 | Best for Streamers
- 2 NZXT Signal HD60 | Best for Consistent Quality
- 3 EVGA XR1 Lite | Best for Budget Buyers
- 4 AVerMedia GC551G2 Live Gamer Extreme 3 | Best for Versatility
- 5 Elgato 4K60 S+
- 6 What Are Internal Capture Cards?
- 7 Top 8 Internal Capture Card Brands
- 8 7 Key Buying Criteria for Internal Capture Cards
- 9 Potential Weaknesses and Solutions
- 10 Testing Your New Internal Capture Card
- 11 Buyer Avatars
- 12 Conclusion
- 13 FAQs
You’re here because you’re on the quest for superior performance in game capturing and streaming. The common pain point? Finding an internal capture card that offers not just great performance, but also stability and value. Enter our expert team, who dedicated 26 hours to research, analyse, and review the best internal capture cards just for you. With us, your quest ends.
TL;DR:
- Internal capture cards offer superior performance for gaming and content creation
- Key players in the internal capture cards market include Elgato, AVerMedia, and Blackmagic
- Factors like resolution, frame rate, interface, and compatibility are crucial when buying an internal capture card
Elgato Game Capture HD60 | Best for Streamers
The Elgato HD60 X shines in the realm of streaming. With its high refresh rate of 240 Hz passthrough on Full HD, your stream will be as smooth as silk, while the Instant Gameview feature provides ultra-low latency. Capable of recording at a crispy 1080p resolution, it ensures that your audience will enjoy high-definition gameplay. The Elgato Game Capture software is user-friendly, making it easier to tweak settings to perfection. Lastly, with the Live Commentary feature, you can add your voice to gameplay, making your content more personalized and engaging.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ 240 Hz refresh rate passthrough on Full HD ✅ Instant Gameview for low latency ✅ 1080p resolution recording ✅ Elgato’s user-friendly software ✅ Live Commentary feature | ❌ Limited to Full HD, no 4K ❌ Can be pricey for casual gamers |
NZXT Signal HD60 | Best for Consistent Quality
If stability and consistency are your top priorities, the NZXT Signal HD60 is worth considering. Engineered for high-quality recording and streaming, it can capture gameplay in 1080p resolution at a 60fps refresh rate, ensuring a buttery smooth performance. The HDMI 2.0 support extends compatibility to a broad range of gaming consoles and PCs. Its advanced video encoding technology lightens your CPU’s load, enhancing overall system performance. Additionally, the Signal HD60 comes with NZXT’s comprehensive software suite for easy streaming setup and customization.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Stable, high-quality 1080p recording ✅ 60fps refresh rate ✅ HDMI 2.0 support ✅ Lightens load on CPU ✅ Included software suite | ❌ No 4K support ❌ The software interface might be challenging for beginners |
EVGA XR1 Lite | Best for Budget Buyers
The EVGA XR1 Lite is the go-to choice for gamers on a budget. While affordable, it doesn’t skimp on performance, boasting 1080p capture at 60fps, which ensures fluid gameplay recording. Its compact and sleek design makes it an unobtrusive addition to any gaming setup. The built-in audio mixer allows you to control your microphone’s input volume directly, facilitating smooth live commentary. The XR1 Lite is also certified for OBS, one of the most popular streaming software, offering seamless integration and compatibility.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Affordable without sacrificing quality ✅ 1080p recording at 60fps ✅ Compact and sleek design ✅ Built-in audio mixer ✅ OBS certified | ❌ No 4K support ❌ Lacks advanced features found in higher-end models |
AVerMedia GC551G2 Live Gamer Extreme 3 | Best for Versatility
For gamers seeking flexibility and advanced features, the AVerMediaLive Gamer Extreme 3 stands out. It supports 4K passthrough, allowing you to play games at high resolution while capturing in 1080p. Its compatibility with multiple software platforms including OBS and XSplit gives you the freedom to choose the best platform for your needs. The proprietary RECentral software supports live editing, audience interaction, and more. Lastly, the customizable cover design adds a touch of personal flair to your gaming rig.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ 4K passthrough support ✅ Compatibility with multiple software platforms ✅ In-depth functionality with RECentral software ✅ Customizable cover design ✅ Excellent 1080p capture quality | ❌ Only captures in 1080p, not 4K ❌ Can be overkill for casual gamers |
Elgato 4K60 S+
If you’re stepping into the world of 4K gaming, Elgato 4K60 S+ is the internal capture card that you shouldn’t overlook. It takes gaming capture to a new level with its ability to record stunning 4K HDR10 footage directly to an SD card without the need for a connected computer. The high frame rate capture of up to 240fps on 1080p ensures every detail is captured with absolute precision. This powerhouse also includes zero-lag passthrough, making it an excellent choice for real-time gameplay broadcasting. Moreover, the compatibility with popular software platforms like OBS and Streamlabs offers easy integration.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Stunning 4K HDR10 capture ✅ High frame rate capture (240fps on 1080p) ✅ Zero-lag passthrough ✅ SD card recording without PC connection ✅ Compatibility with popular streaming software | ❌ Pricier than other models ❌ Requires a high-end system for maximum performance |
What Are Internal Capture Cards?
Internal capture cards are devices installed directly into your computer. They capture video signals from external devices, such as consoles, translating them into data your computer can use. This can range from PCI-E cards for professional-grade capturing, to Mini PCI-E and M.2 cards for smaller, more compact devices.
Top 8 Internal Capture Card Brands
Based on our research, the top internal capture card brands include Elgato, AVerMedia, Blackmagic Design, Hauppauge, Startech, Mirabox, ClonerAlliance, and TNP Products. They all offer unique features, advantages, and a few disadvantages.
7 Key Buying Criteria for Internal Capture Cards
The important considerations when buying an internal capture card are resolution, frame rate, interface type, compatibility, software, input options, and price. Assessing these will ensure you get the best fit for your needs.
Notably, according to a report by Grand View Research, the global market for internal capture cards is expected to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2019 to 2025. This growth is fueled by the increasing popularity of professional gaming and content creation, fields where internal capture cards excel.
Potential Weaknesses and Solutions
Common issues with internal capture cards include compatibility issues, a difficult installation process, and sometimes, unsatisfactory customer support. To circumvent these, always check the specifications carefully, follow provided instructions or seek professional help for installation, and read user reviews to gauge the quality of customer service.
Testing Your New Internal Capture Card
After acquiring your new card, perform these tests: check the picture and audio quality, test the latency, try the card with various resolutions and frame rates, test the provided software, and lastly, ensure it works seamlessly with your streaming software.
Buyer Avatars
The Casual Streamer, The Aspiring Pro, and The Content Creation Guru are three buyer avatars we created. They represent casual gamers, aspiring professional gamers, and content creators respectively. We’ll discuss their needs in detail in the main section.
Conclusion
From Elgato to Blackmagic, there are a plethora of options on the market. Understanding your needs and considering key factors such as resolution, frame rate, and compatibility will help you make an informed decision.
FAQs
Which is better, internal or external capture cards?
It depends on your needs. Internal cards often offer better performance, but external cards are portable and easier to install.
Are internal capture cards difficult to install?
Some technical knowledge is required, but most come with detailed instructions or you can find guides online.
Do I need a high-performance PC to use an internal capture card?
Yes, typically you’ll need a powerful PC to fully benefit from an internal capture card.
How important is the software that comes with the capture card?
It can be crucial, as it may determine how easily you can capture, stream, and edit your footage.
Can I use a capture card to record from any device?
Generally, yes. Capture cards typically have HDMI input, so they can record from any device that can output to HDMI.
