How to Install a Capture Card in a Gaming PC

What a capture card does

A capture card is a device that takes a video signal from another source, such as a game console or a second PC, and brings it into your streaming PC. The card encodes that video in real time so your streaming software can broadcast it while you keep playing on your main display. This setup is common for streamers who want to play on a console while using a PC to handle the stream, or who want to run the game on one PC and the stream on another.

Capture cards come in two main forms: internal cards that install into a PCIe slot on your motherboard, and external boxes that connect over USB. This guide focuses on the internal PCIe type, which is a common choice for a desktop gaming PC because it sits inside the case and uses the motherboard's high-speed connection.

Checking your PC for compatibility

Before buying or installing a PCIe capture card, check that your gaming PC has an available PCIe slot. Most desktop motherboards have several PCIe x1 or x16 slots, but a large graphics card can block adjacent slots. Look at the layout of your motherboard and the length of the capture card to make sure it will fit without touching the GPU or other components.

Also check the physical space inside your case. A capture card is usually shorter than a graphics card, but it still needs clearance from drive cages, cables, and other parts. If your PC is a compact model, measure the available space and compare it to the card's dimensions. For more on choosing a case that fits your hardware, see how to choose a case size. If you are also thinking about a new PC, see best prebuilt gaming PC.

Installing the card

To install the capture card, power down the PC and unplug the power cable. Open the side panel of the case to access the motherboard. Remove the metal bracket on the back of the case that lines up with the PCIe slot you plan to use. Keep the bracket's screw, as you will need it to secure the card.

Align the capture card's gold connector with the PCIe slot and press down firmly until it clicks into place. The card's metal bracket should sit flush against the back of the case. Secure it with the screw you removed earlier. Close the case and reconnect the power cable.

After the card is seated, connect your console or second PC's HDMI output to the capture card's input port. Then connect the card's output port to your monitor or TV. This lets you see the game on your display while the card sends the video to your streaming PC. If you are using a second PC for streaming, the capture card goes in the streaming PC, not the gaming PC.

Setting up software

Once the card is installed and connected, turn on the PC and install the drivers that came with the card or are available from the manufacturer's website. The card should appear in your streaming software as a video capture device. In the software, add a new source and select the capture card from the list of devices.

Configure the video resolution and frame rate to match your source. For example, if your console outputs 1080p, set the capture to that resolution. If you are using a second PC, make sure the output resolution is set correctly on that PC as well. The streaming software will then use the card's encoder to process the video, which keeps the load off your CPU.

For a single-PC setup, you can also use the GPU's built-in encoder instead of a capture card. Many graphics cards include a dedicated encoder that handles video encoding without affecting game performance. See how to choose a GPU for streaming for more on this option.

Connecting a console or second PC

The most common use for a capture card is to bring video from a console into a PC for streaming. Connect the console's HDMI output to the capture card's input. Then connect the capture card's output to your monitor. This way, you play on the monitor with no added latency, and the card sends a copy of the video to the streaming PC.

For a two-PC setup, the gaming PC outputs its video to the capture card in the streaming PC. The streaming PC then encodes and broadcasts the stream. This separates the load of gaming from the load of streaming, which can be useful if your gaming PC is already busy. The streaming PC needs enough processing power to handle the encoding, but the capture card takes on most of that work. If you are planning a two-PC setup, see how to choose a gaming PC for streaming and gaming simultaneously.

If you are streaming from a single PC, you may not need a capture card at all. The GPU's encoder can handle the video, and you can use software to capture the game window directly. This is simpler and works well for most PC games. A capture card becomes necessary only when you want to bring in video from an external source like a console.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the capture card is not detected, first check that it is fully seated in the PCIe slot and that the power cable is connected. Also confirm that the card's drivers are installed and up to date. In the streaming software, make sure you have selected the correct device from the list.

If there is no video signal, check the HDMI connections. The input port on the card should be connected to the source, and the output port to the monitor. Some cards have multiple input ports, so verify you are using the correct one. Also check that the source device is set to output video at a resolution the card supports.

If the video appears but the stream looks poor, check the bitrate and resolution settings in your streaming software. The card's encoder handles the video, but the software controls the output quality. For more on optimizing your stream, see how to set up OBS Studio for game recording.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Do I need a capture card to stream PC games?

No. For PC games, you can use software to capture the game window and the GPU's built-in encoder to handle the video. A capture card is only needed when you want to bring video from an external source like a console into your PC.

Can I install a capture card in any gaming PC?

Most desktop gaming PCs have a PCIe slot available, but you need to check that the card fits physically and that the slot is not blocked by the graphics card. Compact cases may not have enough room for an internal card.

What is the difference between a capture card and a GPU encoder?

A capture card is a separate device that takes an external video signal and encodes it. A GPU encoder is a section of the graphics card that encodes video from the PC itself. Both reduce the load on the CPU, but a capture card is for external sources.

How do I connect a console to a capture card?

Connect the console's HDMI output to the capture card's input port. Then connect the capture card's output port to your monitor. The card sends the video to your streaming PC while you play on the monitor.

Why is my capture card not showing video?

Check that the HDMI cables are connected to the correct ports, that the card is fully seated in the PCIe slot, and that the drivers are installed. Also verify that the source device is outputting a resolution the card supports.

Can I use a capture card with a laptop?

Internal PCIe capture cards are for desktop PCs. For a laptop, you would use an external USB capture card, which connects over a USB port and performs the same function. For more on choosing a PC for streaming, see how to choose a GPU for streaming.