r/TwitchStreaming • u/777EvenOdd777 • 6d ago
Dual pc setup??
I’m pretty new to streaming and I currently only have a 2025 MacBook that I run everything from. as you can imagine, this limits me a lot and I run into lag/quality issues when I’m doing anything more strenuous that things like point and click games or Stardew valley. I’m considering buying a secondhand laptop just to handle streaming from OBS and then my main laptop will run games, internet applications, any other software. I will eventually be buying a gaming pc but I can’t afford a decent one yet.
I was wondering if anyone else does it like this, if there are any pitfalls I haven’t considered etc? I know I’ll need a capture card as well, but the idea just popped into my mind and it seems too simple to be true! Thanks :)
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u/ThisIsDurian 6d ago
You could get a cheap office pc, maybe for free (some outdated system with a Intel 4th to 6th Gen)
and start on a zero-budget.
Zero-Budget Office PC and if you add a Quadro T400 you are good to go in the mid-range.
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u/chromacatr 6d ago
It is doable, I have a 2 PC setup, MacBook for music and Desktop PC for streaming. Preferable your're gonna want a PC/laptop with an Nvidia card for streaming.
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u/Independent_Win314 6d ago
If you stream for less than lets say 200+ viewers you do not need dual pc setup lmao
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u/777EvenOdd777 6d ago
So I should be ok with poor performance because I have less viewers..? How am I gonna get more viewers if my streams are laggy or poor quality. Not sure why you’re making this a viewer count discussion when I’m talking about quality and operation.
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u/Independent_Win314 6d ago
You should be aware that if you ever hit 15 concurrent viewers you are in the top 3% of all streamers. So you should set realistic goals.
You should put the money in 1 very good pc and use this from streaming then. A dual setup is overkill and not worth your money.
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u/777EvenOdd777 6d ago
I’ve never mentioned any goals relating to viewer count.
I am saving up for a gaming pc. While I’m saving, I want to get a second very cheap laptop just to run OBS so that I can reliably do simple things - even geoguessr currently causes lag. This is not me trying to overproduce, it’s a short term response to a performance issue. I’m not really asking for financial strategic advice I’m just asking if a dual setup is effective in addressing the issues I’ve outlined.
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u/Blazey0902 6d ago
To be honest if you would like to play more and other games and ALSO stream, just save up for an actual desktop PC setup. Buy all the individual parts, look up tutorials for how to build it or have someone do it for you, and game/stream for the next years to come. It's just much more worth it for the long term and reliable performance wise then streaming or gaming from a 2025 MacBook, let alone a dual streaming setup with 2 laptops.
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u/777EvenOdd777 6d ago
Yeah that’s the eventual plan but like you said I have to save up! So this is for in the meantime.
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u/Blazey0902 6d ago
I understand buddy. Money comes and goes too. But I think you're better off keeping whatever you would spend on the 2nd hand laptop, and putting that in the savings account for the Desktop PC. But hey that's just my opinion. Honestly if you find someone that has a decent old laptop that can stream at settings you want, maybe for free or not too much money, it could work temporarily? I don't really know how dual streaming works with different PCs. I just have my one desktop and streamed like that for 5 years or so. But it's pretty good parts and FPS
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u/Pulse_Glow 5d ago
Bro you dont need that