How to Set Up a Dual PC Stream?

There are several compelling reasons to utilize a dual-PC streaming setup, including separating streaming work from gaming, avoiding CPU bottlenecks, and running heavy recording tools without lag. A second PC provides smoother, more stable streams and allows you to record multiple sources simultaneously. For reliable camera-to-PC feeds during long sessions, devices like the Hollyland VenusLiv Air with its 4K@30fps, 24/7 streaming-ready can simplify the hookup. In this guide, we’ll walk through the easiest, most convenient dual-PC setups.

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Understanding Dual-PC Streaming

A dual-PC setup splits your workflow into two machines:
One PC runs the game, and the other handles the stream. This separation removes the pressure on a single system to manage gameplay, encoding, recording, and overlays simultaneously.

Why creators choose dual-PC setups

• Less lag: Your game runs smoother since your GPU/CPU isn’t overloaded.
  
• Higher stream quality: The streaming PC handles encoding without affecting FPS.
  
• More stability: Great for long streams or heavy multitasking.
  
• Flexible upgrades: You can upgrade one PC at a time instead of replacing everything.

When upgrading makes sense

A dual-PC setup is worth it if:

• You play competitive or fast-paced games where FPS drops matter.
  
• You run resource-intensive tools (VTubing, multiple cameras, heavy overlays).
  
• You stream for long sessions and want consistent quality.
  
• Your single PC keeps overheating, lagging, or dropping frames on stream.
  

If any of these sound familiar, a dual-PC setup can make your workflow smoother.

What You’ll Need

To keep this simple, here’s the core equipment required for a dual-PC streaming setup:

• Two Computers
  • Gaming PC: Runs your games and anything resource-heavy.
  • Streaming PC: Runs OBS (or any streaming software) and handles encoding.

• Capture Card

This is the most common and reliable way to send video from the gaming PC to the streaming PC.
You can use:

• External capture cards (USB-based).

• Internal capture cards (PCIe, lower latency, and more stable).

You’ll connect the gaming PC’s HDMI output to → capture card → streaming PC.

Cables

HDMI cable(s): To send video from the gaming PC to the capture card.

Ethernet cables: To connect both PCs to your router for stable, low-latency streaming.

Optional USB cables: If your mic or webcam needs a direct connection.

• Streaming Software

You’ll mostly need:

• OBS Studio: free, simple, and works on both PCs.

• Streamlabs: optional, heavier but user-friendly.

OBS goes on the streaming PC. The gaming PC can also run OBS if you want to monitor scenes or send sources.

• Microphone / Audio Setup

Your options include:

• A USB or XLR mic connected to the streaming PC.
• An audio mixer is helpful if you want to route audio from both PCs easily.

• Virtual audio cable software if you prefer a software-only solution.

• Optional Network-Based Alternative: NDI

If you don’t want a capture card, you can use NDI, a free plugin for OBS that sends video over your local network.
It’s cable-free and straightforward, but requires a strong network (preferably wired).

• Optional: Software KVM

If you use two monitors, a software KVM lets you control both PCs with one keyboard and mouse. It keeps your desk clean, and switching is seamless.

How to Connect the Two PCs (Step-by-Step)

Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to connect your gaming PC and streaming PC so they work together as a single, seamless setup. Follow these steps one at a time, and you’ll avoid 90% of the confusion people usually face with dual-PC streaming.

Step 1: Connect the Gaming PC to the Streaming PC

• Connect the HDMI from your GPU → HDMI input of the capture card

• Use the capture card’s HDMI pass-through to send the signal back to your gaming monitor
  (so you play with zero latency)
  

Important: Your gaming PC will detect the capture card as a second display.
To make sure OBS sees the same thing you see:

• Go to Settings → System  → Display, Set your monitor + capture card to “Duplicate desktop on 1 and 2.”
  This ensures whatever appears on your gaming monitor also appears in OBS on the streaming PC.

Suppose the capture card detects a different resolution or displays a black screen. In that case, it’s almost always because the PC is treating it as a separate extended display rather than a duplicated one.

If you’re using a USB capture card, plug it into a USB 3.0 port on its own controller. Sharing ports with other high-bandwidth devices (such as a 4K webcam) can cause freezing or disconnections.

Step 2: Add the Capture Card in OBS (Streaming PC)

Open OBS on the streaming PC:

• Go to Sources → Video Capture Device

• Select your capture card

• Set the resolution and FPS to match your gaming PC’s output

If you see a black screen, try switching USB ports (for USB cards) or check your GPU’s output settings.

Step 3: Set Up Your Audio (Two Simple Options)

Option A: Software Audio Routing (Free – Voicemeeter Banana)

Use Voicemeeter Banana to send your gaming PC’s audio and mic to the streaming PC without extra hardware.

• Install Voicemeeter Banana (Both PCs)
  Download from VB-Audio → install → restart → open Voicemeeter Banana.

• Configure the Gaming PC
• Set your headphones/speakers: In Voicemeeter → A1 = your headphones/speakers (WDM preferred)

• Add your microphone
  • Hardware Input 1 → Select your mic

• Enable B2 (this sends your mic to the streaming PC)

• Route game/desktop audio: In Voicemeeter VAIO (Virtual Input)

• Turn on A1 (so you hear it)
• Turn on B2 (so it goes to the streaming PC)

• Make Voicemeeter the default device
• Windows Sound Settings →
  • Playback: Voicemeeter Input = Default
  • Recording: Voicemeeter Output (B2) = Default

• Send Audio to the Streaming PC

Choose one:

Option 1: Capture Card Audio

• Select Voicemeeter Output (B2) as your audio source for the capture card.
  

Option 2: Network Audio (VBAN)

• Enable VBAN → send from gaming PC → receive on streaming PC.
  
• Configure the Streaming PC

In OBS → Settings → Audio:

• Set Mic/Aux to Voicemeeter Output (or VBAN Input).
  You’ll now receive game audio + mic from the gaming PC.
  

Optional: Mic Cleanup

Utilize Voicemeeter’s built-in EQ, Gate, Compressor, and Limiter to reduce noise and enhance clarity before the audio reaches OBS.

Option B: Hardware Routing (More Reliable)

If you prefer a stable, plug-and-play audio setup, you can route sound between both PCs using an audio mixer (like the GoXLR Mini) or simple 3.5mm line-in/line-out cables.

• Connect the Mixer to Your Gaming PC
  • Plug the USB cable from the GoXLR Mini into your gaming PC.

• Open the GoXLR app to manage your audio sources (game, Discord, music, mic, etc.).
  
• Route Audio Between Both PCs
  Use two 3.5mm AUX cables:
• Cable 1:
  
  • GoXLR Line-Out → Streaming PC Line-In
    (Sends game, Discord, and music audio to the streaming PC)

• Cable 2:
  
  • Streaming PC Line-Out → GoXLR Line-In
    (Sends alerts and mic monitoring back to the gaming PC/mixer)

This lets both PCs “talk” to each other without latency issues.

• Set Up Audio in OBS (Streaming PC)
  • In OBS → Audio Input → Select Line-In.
    This becomes your main audio source, carrying all sound coming through the mixer.

• Microphone Setup:
  Plug your mic directly into the mixer (e.g., GoXLR Mini).
  The mixer handles gain, EQ, gate, compressor, and sends clean audio to the streaming PC automatically.

• Headphones: Plug your headset into the Headphone Out on the mixer to hear everything in one place (game + alerts + chat).

Step 4: Configure Video + Bitrate

Inside OBS:

• Set resolution to match your stream (1080p is standard).

• Set FPS to 60 if your capture card supports it.

• Use a bitrate between 6000 and 9000 kbps for smoother output (platform-dependent).

• Choose a hardware encoder if your streaming PC has a capable GPU (usually NVENC).

This prevents lag, dropped frames, and blurry motion.

Note: Capture cards support higher resolutions (1440p, 4K), but only use them if your gaming PC is actually outputting those resolutions.

Step 5: Run a Quick Test Stream

Before going live, do a private test.

Check:

• Audio sync — mic + gameplay should match
  
• Latency — the preview shouldn’t lag far behind
  
• Quality — no tearing, no black screens
  
• Audio levels — your game shouldn’t drown out your voice

Once everything looks good, your dual-PC setup is ready.

Conclusion

A dual-PC setup gives you smoother gameplay, cleaner streams, and more control over your workflow. With the right gear and a simple capture-card or mixer setup, you can stream longer, at higher quality, and without pushing a single PC to its limit.

FAQs

Do I really need a second PC to stream?
Not always. A dual-PC setup is mainly for creators who play heavy games, stream in high quality, or want smoother performance.

Can I stream without a capture card?
Yes. You can use NDI or other network-based methods, but a capture card usually gives better stability and quality.

How do I avoid audio echo in a dual-PC setup?
Ensure each PC has a dedicated audio input in OBS and avoid duplicating the same audio source across both systems.