How to Stream From a Laptop to Twitch

You researched the specs, found a good deal, and finally purchased the gaming laptop you’ve been wanting. You boot it up, install Steam, and start building your library (promising to play every game you download…you won’t). After hours of gaming, you start to think to yourself, “I should stream this.” But can your laptop even handle all that work?

This post will discuss streaming from laptops and the requirements needed to get the most out of your mobile rig. 

Can You Stream on Twitch Using a Laptop?

In short, yes, you can stream from your laptop. You just need to make sure it meets the minimum requirements for Twitch streaming. On top of your laptop, you’ll need to look into some software options as well as some auxiliary hardware that will make life easier as you start streaming. 

Note that you won’t be able to stream all PC games to your Twitch channel. The only way you can start broadcasting some high-graphic games is with a fully capable PC that can handle the CPU of the game and your streaming software. Even if you set your broadcast settings to low-quality, you will have difficulty live-streaming some games to the Twitch app.

Laptop Requirement to Stream on Twitch

Twitch recommends the following minimum requirements for streaming game content:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 or AMD equivalent
• Memory: 8GB+
• GPU: DirectX 11 compatible
• OS: Windows 7
• ISP Upload Speed: 3-6Mbps

For upload speeds, skip the Wi-Fi connection and go straight for the ethernet cord. You will need a strong internet connection and upload bandwidth in order to produce high-quality Twitch streams.

Requirements may vary based on stream quality settings or the game you are streaming. The more strenuous the game, the higher your requirements. 

How to Optimize a Laptop for Streaming Games

When optimizing your laptop for streaming games from your Twitch account, you will need to look into the following things:

• Laptop Streaming Software

  No matter which streaming platform (Twitch, Facebook, YouTube) you choose, you’re going to need Open Broadcast Software. There are plenty of completely free options for streaming software, such as Streamlabs, StreamElements, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), and Xsplit. You can also download Twitch Studio from the Twitch website.

  Check our article about OBS vs Streamlabs to learn more about the two most popular streaming software on the market. For the rest of this post any settings mentioned are done through Streamlabs.

  Depending on the streaming software you select, you may need to find your stream key from your Twitch account. Input your stream key into your software so that you can use it to broadcast gameplay to your audience. Other broadcasting software, such as Streamlabs, allows you to log in using your Twitch account information so that you can start streaming immediately without having to find your stream key.

• Optimization

  You will need to adjust your streaming settings before you begin broadcasting to reduce the issues with your live streams. These will need to be adjusted depending on your laptop. You can try a private stream on an alternate Twitch channel or through Discord beforehand to ensure that everything runs smooth.

  Apps: Aside from Streamlabs and the game you’re playing, close all other apps when you’re streaming on Twitch.

  Settings below can be found in the Output menu.

  

  • Encoder: Software (x264) (CPU)
  • Output Resolution: 1280×720
  • Frames: 30FPS

  Again, settings will vary based on your laptop. If your CPU is chugging along with the above settings, change the encoder to Hardware (NVENC). This will take the burden encoding on the GPU, instead of the CPU.  

• Laptop Streaming Hardware

  There are some pieces of equipment that you can add to your Twitch streaming setup to help you amp up the quality of your own stream.

  Here’s some additional gear to consider for streaming on your laptop:

  

  • USB Port Expanders like the Sabrent USB 3.0 Hub is very affordable and will give you four ports slots in exchange for one.
  • Microphone: Audio is king and most laptop microphones leave something to be desired. There are plenty of mics out there to pick from. A USB mic is a great option for someone just starting out.
  • External fans: Things may get a bit hot between streaming and running a game. A laptop cooling pad or an external fan can help keep things cool and keep your stream running.
  • Mic Stand: Most mics come with a desk-stand. These come with the disadvantage of picking up anything that bumps into your desk. Consider replacing the desk-stand with a scissor-stand.
  • Webcam: Laptop web cameras can leave something to be desired. Just like mics, there are plenty of external options to pick from. Check out some of the Best Logitech Webcams for Streaming.
  • Capture Card: Want to stream a console straight to your laptop? You’ll need a capture card for that. There are a few options out there, the Elgato HD60S being arguably the best and cheapest device available.  

Streaming From a Console

Console streaming typically struggles with both visual and audio quality. The streaming setup that most console streamers use is less than ideal (such as the Playstation camera), but when you run your feed through a laptop or a PC, you can use a different video capture device to create better content.

Using a laptop can help you customize your live stream to improve its look and potentially attract new viewers. You will need to gather some basic equipment before your first stream to the Twitch app, such as a capture card that will connect your console to the laptop or gaming PC. These work with Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Playstation consoles, allowing you to begin streaming your favorite console games.

You can also set up your laptop for mobile gaming instead of streaming directly from your phone. Again, this will allow you to customize your settings through broadcasting software.

IRL Streams

Getting away from gaming? Painting miniatures, talking sports, or just chatting with your followers? With an OBS running sans game, your CPU will have no problem keeping up. IRL streams have never made it easier to stream from your laptop, tablet, or even your phone. 

People like JakenBake have reached twitch stardom over the past few years through travel and real-life activities. Again, while you can stream directly from your mobile phone, you will often find that you have better quality (and can even stream in full HD) if you have the right equipment.

Conclusion

With the right specs, a decent internet connection, and optimized OBS settings, streaming from a laptop has never been easier. While the quality may not be on par with other Twitch streamers right away, as you grow in your streaming career, you’ll be able to upgrade your equipment over time. You may even end up with a dual computer setup with an extra computer monitor.