NZXT Streaming PC

Reviews
NZXT Streaming PC

The NZXT Streaming PC series aims to capture the desire for game streaming and provide a simple pre-built system that will make Twitch celebs' dreams come true. The idea is to develop a PC that can.

Prices vary, however, and the most affordable base NZXT Streaming PC (opens in new tab) is really just an excellent mainstream gaming rig with many additional features. At its heart is a high-quality multi-core CPU, a fast SSD, and relatively fast system memory; with a 12GB RTX 3060 (opens in new tab), even 1080p games will play smoothly. Plus, plenty of USB ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and a robust VRM balance it all out.

The rig looks especially nice because it ships with NZXT's ASRock N7 motherboard. This is an especially nice looking rig because it now ships with NZXT's ASRock N7 motherboard. The updated B550 board matches the restrained style of the classic H510 case and the covered aesthetics of the NZXT mobo, and also offers a better feature set; NZXT's first board had issues in the past, and our Jacob wouldn't let it go, but ASRock has released a Now it actually has a decent BIOS.

As a streaming-focused machine, NZXT is targeting the AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, and both this Streaming PC and the higher-spec Streaming Plus PC feature the powerful Ryzen 5600X (opens in new tab) Open in new tab), which is a fantastic 6-core, 12-thread processor. This is a fantastic 6-core, 12-thread CPU with gaming capabilities to back up its streaming skills, and NZXT has also included its own Kraken 120 AIO cooler to keep it cool and quiet.

The $1,399 Streaming PC backs it all up with 16GB DDR4-3200 in a dual-channel configuration for maximum memory bandwidth and a 1TB NVMe SSD. Gaming performance is carried by the RTX 3060.

Basically, these are the kind of specs you would expect from a $1,400 gaming PC in 2022. Personally, I would love an RTX 3060 Ti (open in new tab) at this price, but if you look at Redux's Good Tier (open in new tab) machine, you will see that this is the current situation. But that is slowly changing, and as we get closer to the launch of the next generation at the end of the year, we will start to see higher spec systems (opens in new tab) from other builders that are less expensive in this price range.

Indeed, NZXT has its own Starter Pro PC (opens in new tab), with a weak 10th generation CPU and RTX 3060 Ti, but $100 cheaper; a streaming rig with a Core i5 10400F and a basic Asus B560-Plus motherboard While not as powerful, it will deliver higher frame rates across the board.

This streaming PC system is more balanced, but for more basic components, a gaming-specific build can cut costs.

Still, it will be increasingly difficult to recommend a more niche-focused full-price rig like the NZXT Streaming PC, especially from a pure cost standpoint alone The RTX 3060 Ti is clearly an excellent choice for all PC gamers graphics card, and if that is 100% your focus, then perhaps that is the kind of machine you should be looking for.

However, if you need USB ports for more productivity, you will be thankful that NZXT has introduced a more feature-rich mobo instead of a special price that only has enough ports for a mouse and keyboard.

Compared to other system builders, NZXT offers a 2-year warranty NZXT offers a 2-year parts and labor warranty compared to other system builders. Even more so when the fast-growing streaming carriers begin to take off.

In terms of performance, the Streaming PC delivers nearly identical 1080p gaming performance compared to the Redux machine we recently reviewed. It is slightly slower, but only by a fraction of a frame per second. If it weren't constantly lagging behind its competitors, one would attribute this degree of difference to variations in testing. However, this highlights the difference between AMD and Intel CPUs between the two rigs.

Gaming performance

System performance

While AMD is lauded for its excellent Ryzen 5000 series processors, Intel really nailed it with its 12th generation chips, especially at the low end of the market. the Core i5 12400F is another 6 core, 12 threaded CPU, but it beats the 5600X in both gaming and general productivity.

While we don't disagree with NZXT's choice of Ryzen for its Streaming PC series, Intel's builds are not off the mark these days either.

What makes this system better than the Redux and many other mainstream rigs - 1TB SSD and warranty aside - is that the NZXT B550 is a feature-packed mobo with Wi-Fi 6E support, twin M.2 slots, and USB ports. On the back panel is a USB Type-C, something rarely seen these days. This is a great feature not found on a basic Redux machine.

There is also a Type-C header inside, connected to a socket at the top of the stylish H510 chassis.

If you really want to stream, you'll need to connect your webcam, microphone, Loupedeck/Stream Deck, and various other peripherals all to the rig. And the Streaming PC certainly excels in that regard.

As a sleek package, the NZXT Streaming PC is a quality game streaming machine. If you are looking for a straightforward, feature-packed PC to launch your streaming career, look no further than this system. However, if you are looking for a pure gaming machine, you don't need a rig with such a clear focus and will find a faster system with a less balanced feature set for less money.

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