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Is a 4 core CPU enough for streaming?

Is a 4 core CPU enough for streaming? Let's find out

Updated: Mar 16, 2023 9:43 am
Is a 4 core CPU enough for streaming?

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Quad-core CPUs continue to remain popular in 2024 due to their affordability. If you’re looking to build a PC for streaming you may have been considering a 4-core CPU as a budget option. Well, let’s find out: Is a 4-core CPU enough for streaming?

Now Read: Best budget CPU


Are 4 cores good enough for streaming?

Streaming is inherently a CPU-intensive activity that requires your processor to capture and encode your screen before sending it to your streaming software. But remember that while this is happening, your CPU is probably dealing with another workload as well. 

For example, if you’re streaming gameplay, your CPU will be dealing with both the demands of your running game, as well as the demands of your streaming software. 

In 2023, 4 cores processors are enough for gaming – but just barely. Adding streaming on top is usually enough to make a 4-core processor reach its maximum workload capacity if it’s running a resource-intensive title. 

The more cores a processor has, the better it is at multitasking, which is why it’d advisable to equip yourself with a processor with a high amount of cores if you intend to stream to an audience while doing anything computationally intensive on your system. 

Will a 4-core CPU stream?

To be quite direct, no. Unfortunately, we can’t recommend that you go with a 4-core processor for streaming in 2024. 

Obviously, there is some nuance to this answer. But if you’re the average streamer looking to stream gameplay to an audience, you will find a 4 core processor quite lacking in terms of performance. 

Your stream quality won’t be as high as it could be with a stronger processor, and you may encounter lag spikes or frame drops on top of that – which can really take away from the quality of your viewers. 

You can make do with a 4-core CPU for streaming if you’re a variety of “just chatting” streamer. That’s because streaming alone can be carried out on a 4 core processor – it’s when you add gaming to the mix that your processor will start to struggle.

If you have a 4-core CPU with SMT (Hyperthreading or Multithreading), you will be able to stream less demanding titles with decent performance. Examples of titles that are less demanding on your CPU include League of Legends, Valorant, and CS:GO. 

But launch a heavier title like Elden Ring or Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and either your stream quality or your in-game FPS could take a hit. 


Is a 4-core CPU enough for chatting and a variety of streams?

Now, even as a just-chatting streamer, you will likely be dealing with CPU-heavy workloads while you aren’t streaming. Most streamers are also content creators on the side. Content creation involves video editing, 3D rendering, file compression, and similar processes. 

You need a processor with a high amount of cores and threads to be productive with your content creation, which is why it’s difficult to recommend a 4 core processor even if you’re a chatting or personality-based streamer. 


How many cores do you need for streaming?

If you’re looking for a new processor for a build intended for streaming, we recommend sticking with 6-core, 12-thread processors and above. 

If you’re on a budget, you could get the Ryzen 5 5600. It doesn’t cost all that much more than a modern 4-core, 8-thread CPU would cost you – and is certainly worth the investment if your streaming career helps you generate income. 

If you can afford to spend some more to improve the quality of your audience’s experience, go with a processor from the latest generation, such as the Intel Core i5-13600K


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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