The NZXT Streaming PC sequence is designed to seize the urge for food for recreation streaming and supply folks a easy pre-built system to make all their Twitch movie star goals come true. Okay, that is perhaps promising an excessive amount of on NZXT’s behalf there, however the fundamental thought is to create a spread of PCs that may recreation comfortably whereas nonetheless with the ability to host a easy stream.
However in addition they come at a spread of various costs, and probably the most reasonably priced of the lot, the bottom NZXT Streaming PC (opens in new tab), is definitely only a good mainstream gaming rig with a variety of further high quality of life options. There is a high quality, multi-core CPU at its coronary heart, a speedy SSD, and a very good chunk of comparatively fast system reminiscence. That is what may have your stream operating easily, however the 12GB RTX 3060 (opens in new tab) may have your 1080p gaming operating simply as silkily. Then there is a bunch of USB ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and a stable VRM to stability all of it out.
And it is a handsome rig, particularly as they’re now transport with NZXT’s personal ASRock-built N7 motherboards. And I believed they seemed good with the unique Gigabyte Aorus Professional motherboards they shipped with. The up to date B550 boards now match the restrained type of the traditional H510 chassis with the lined aesthetic of the NZXT mobos, and supply a greater function set, too. Now, we have had points with the primary NZXT boards previously—and our Jacob simply will not let that go—however now they’re coming from ASRock they really have first rate BIOSes in them.
As streaming-focused machines, NZXT is pointing the vary on the AMD Ryzen 5000-series of processors, and this Streaming PC and the upper spec Streaming Plus PC each use the mighty Ryzen 5 5600X (opens in new tab). That is a incredible six-core, 12-thread CPU, that has the gaming chops to again up its streaming abilities. NZXT has additionally strapped its personal Kraken 120 AIO cooler to it, as a way to maintain it cool and quiet.
Streaming PC specs
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Motherboard: NZXT N7 B550
Cooler: NZXT Kraken 120
RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) TeamGroup DDR4-3200
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 12GB
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Guarantee: 2 years components and labor
Worth: $1,399 (opens in new tab)
Within the $1,399 Streaming PC that is all backed up by 16GB DDR4-3200, in dual-channel configuration to maximise reminiscence bandwidth, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The gaming grunt is then shouldered by the RTX 3060.
Mainly, that is the type of gaming PC spec you’d anticipate from a $1,400 gaming PC in 2022. Personally, I would like to have an RTX 3060 Ti (opens in new tab) at this worth, however you’ll be able to see from the Redux Good Tier (opens in new tab) machine that that is the place we’re at proper now. Slowly, that’s altering, nonetheless, and you’ll begin to discover extra discounted larger spec techniques (opens in new tab) from different builders showing at this identical worth level as we get nearer to the launch of the subsequent era on the finish of the 12 months.
In truth, NZXT does have its personal Starter Professional PC (opens in new tab) which comes with a weaker tenth Gen CPU and the RTX 3060 Ti, however is $100 cheaper. Would not be as a lot cop as a streaming rig—with the Core i5 10400F and fundamental Asus B560-Plus motherboard—however it might ship larger body charges throughout the board.
This Streaming PC system is extra balanced, however a construct laser-focused on gaming can shave some prices with regards to the extra fundamental parts.
That is nonetheless going to make it tougher and tougher to suggest full-price rigs angled in direction of a extra area of interest focus, such because the NZXT Streaming PC, particularly simply from a pure value viewpoint. The RTX 3060 Ti is a measurably higher graphics card for each PC gamer and if that is 100% your focus, that is most likely the type of machine you should be on the lookout for.
You may hope it by no means turns into an element, however a full two-year components and labor guarantee on a prebuilt machine does offer you actual peace of thoughts
However if you happen to want them USB ports for extra productiveness targeted stuff, you may be grateful NZXT dropped in a extra feature-rich mobo, fairly than a cut price basement one which solely has sufficient ports on your mouse and keyboard.
What NZXT additionally has on its facet, in comparison with another system builders, is its two-year guarantee. I imply, you may hope it by no means turns into an element, however having a full two-year components and labor guarantee on a prebuilt machine does offer you actual peace of thoughts. Particularly in case your burgeoning streaming profession begins taking off, eh?
By way of efficiency it is all fairly easy, with the Streaming PC delivering virtually equivalent 1080p gaming efficiency in contrast with the Redux machine we not too long ago reviewed. It’s barely slower, however solely by a negligible variety of frames per second. And if it wasn’t persistently simply behind the competitors we might simply put such a delta all the way down to variance in testing. However right here it highlights the distinction in AMD and Intel CPUs between the 2 rigs.
Gaming efficiency
System efficiency
AMD has been rightly lauded for its glorious Ryzen 5000-series processors, however Intel actually nailed its twelfth Gen chips, and most particularly on the decrease finish of the market. The Core i5 12400F is one other six-core, 12-thread CPU, however simply has the sting over the 5600X in each gaming and basic productiveness chops.
I do not disagree with NZXT choosing Ryzen for its Streaming PC vary, however an Intel construct definitely is not lacking the mark both as of late.
The place this technique has the sting over the Redux and plenty of different mainstream rigs—1TB SSD and guarantee apart—is that NZXT B550 is a feature-packed mobo, with Wi-Fi 6E help, twin M.2 slots, and an entire load of USB ports. The again panel is crammed, one thing you hardly ever see as of late, and there is USB Sort-C, too. That was an enormous miss from the fundamental Redux machine.
There’s additionally an inside Sort-C header, connecting up the socket on the highest of the trendy H510 chassis.
If you happen to’re actually seeking to get into streaming, having your webcam, microphone, Loupedeck/Stream Deck, and various different peripherals all plumbed into your rig means you are going to want a number of accessible USB ports. And the Streaming PC definitely delivers on that entrance.
As a slick bundle, the NZXT Streaming PC is a top quality recreation streaming machine. If you happen to had been on the lookout for an easy, feature-packed PC to kickstart your budding streaming profession you might do loads worse than this technique. If all you are after is a pure gaming machine, nonetheless, then a rig with such a transparent focus is not crucial and you can see sooner techniques, with out the balanced function set, for much less.
