RTX 4090 Streaming PC Build – CPU and Setup Guide

Streaming PC builds have come a long way in recent years. With the launch of Nvidia’s latest RTX 4090 GPU, streamers now have access to incredible performance for both gaming and streaming. But choosing the right CPU and overall setup to pair with the RTX 4090 can make a huge difference in your streaming experience.

This guide will walk you through optimal CPU choices and other important components for building a high-end streaming PC around the RTX 4090.

Why the RTX 4090 for Streaming?

The RTX 4090 offers massive improvements over previous generation GPUs. It provides up to 2-4x more performance than the RTX 3090 in games and content creation workloads. This enables you to game at higher resolutions and graphics settings while still having plenty of overhead for encoding and streaming simultaneously.

Nvidia has also improved the dedicated hardware encoders on the RTX 4090 to make streaming even more efficient. The upgraded NVENC encoder now supports AV1 encoding, unlocking better compression and quality for streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch that support this new codec. Overall, the RTX 4090 sets a new high bar for performance in a single GPU streaming setup.

Optimal CPUs for RTX 4090 Streaming Builds

When pairing a CPU with the RTX 4090 for a streaming build, you’ll want a processor with enough muscle to avoid bottlenecking the GPU while gaming, but also solid per-core performance for running OBS and encoding streams efficiently. Here are some of the best options:

AMD Ryzen 7700X/7900X

AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors offer excellent performance for high-end streaming PCs. The 8-core 7700X provides superb gaming frame rates to match the RTX 4090. And the 12-core 7900X is even faster for heavily threaded games and workloads. Both CPUs have excellent per-core performance for streaming with high frequency counts around 5.5GHz. Just ensure cooling and power limits are adequate when overclocking.

Intel Core i7-13700K/i9-13900K

Similarly, Intel’s latest Raptor Lake 13th gen Core i7 and i9 models are great fits for an RTX 4090 streaming PC. The 13600K and 13700K provide excellent gaming performance with their high core counts and fast clock speeds. And the 13900K is unmatched for maximum frames with its 24-cores and high 5GHz+ boost frequencies. Any of these will allow the RTX 4090 to flex its muscles for high FPS gaming while streaming.

Consider a Dual PC Streaming Setup

For full time streamers or those wanting the very best quality, consider building a dedicated streaming PC to work alongside your high-end gaming rig with the RTX 4090. This allows uncompromised performance by separating gaming from encoding and streaming tasks. A capable 8 or 12-core Ryzen or Core i7 CPU on the streaming PC can encode higher quality streams without impacting gaming performance.

Other Vital Components for an RTX 4090 Streaming Build

Beyond the GPU and CPU, there are a few other important parts to consider for a well-balanced RTX 4090 streaming PC:

1. Motherboard – Go with an X670E or Z790 board to allow overclocking these unlocked CPUs and provide robust power delivery for the RTX 4090. The CPU socket and PCIe 5.0 support are essential. Look for boards with strong VRMs, ample fan headers and M.2 slots. WiFi 6E or better is ideal if not using wired internet.
2. RAM – Aim for 32GB or more of fast DDR5 memory running at 5600MHz or above. This keeps the CPU fed with data and is vital for optimal gaming performance. Low latency RAM kits can provide a few extra FPS. Go with 2x16GB sticks for upgradability.
3. Storage – Using a fast PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 NVMe SSD (at least 1TB) as a boot drive will allow rapid level loading in games. For recording long streaming sessions, a 2TB or 4TB SSD provides adequate sequential write speeds of over 5000 MB/s. Samsung and WD make excellent models.
4. PSU – Provide adequate and efficient power delivery to the RTX 4090 and other high-end components with a quality 850W+ 80+ Gold PSU from reputable brands like Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic etc. A 1200W+ unit is recommended for extreme overclocked setups. Modular cables help with cable management.
5. Cooling – Effective cooling is critical when running the RTX 4090 and high core count CPUs under heavy gaming and streaming loads. A quality 360mm AIO liquid cooler on the CPU and robust airflow through the case is recommended. Noctua or be quiet! fans can provide quiet, focused airflow across components.
6. Case – Look for a case with excellent airflow and cooling support, like the Corsair 5000D Airflow or the Lian Li Lancool III. These have front mesh panels for intake fans and room for large GPUs and radiators. Good cable management options are helpful for a clean build.
7. Capture Card (for dual PC) – If building a dedicated streaming rig, you’ll need a capture card like the Elgato 4K60 Pro to get your RTX 4090 gaming footage into the streaming PC. Ensure your capture card has HDMI 2.1 to support 4K 144Hz signals from the RTX 4090.
8. Internet Connection – A high speed, low latency internet connection helps ensure smooth streaming. Look for 500Mbps+ download speeds and under 20ms ping times. Use ethernet or WiFi 6E where possible.
9. Microphone – A dedicated streaming microphone like the Shure SM7B or Razer Seiren Elite will provide studio quality audio for your audience over basic headset mics. Use a boom arm to position it optimally.
10. Camera – Provide a high quality webcam feed to your viewers with a 1080p60 capable streaming camera like the Logitech Brio. Good low light performance helps with darker gaming setups.
11. Acoustics – Consider sound treatment panels to reduce echo and improve audio quality from microphones in your streaming room. Sound dampening materials on walls can make a big difference.

See Also: RTX 4090 Cooling Guide: Air vs Liquid for Top CPUs

Streaming PC Build Example

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X

This high-end build pairs the RTX 4090 with AMD’s top-tier Ryzen 9 7900X, great for pushing high frame rates in demanding games while streaming. It includes a premium X670E motherboard with PCIe 5.0, fast low-latency DDR5 RAM, a 2TB Samsung 980 Pro SSD for rapid storage, and a 360mm Corsair AIO liquid cooler to tame the 12-core CPU. The Corsair 7000X case offers expansive cooling options to handle all these high-power components. And the 1200W 80+ Platinum PSU from Corsair provides efficient and reliable power.

For streaming, this build has WiFi 6E on the motherboard plus ethernet connectivity. A Razer Seiren Elite microphone and Logitech Brio webcam provide high quality camera and audio feeds. And a 4K60 Pro capture card can ingest footage from the gaming PC into this rig for encoding and streaming. With acoustic paneling around the room, this setup provides an ideal streaming environment.

With this setup, you can game at 4K 120FPS+ and encode high quality streams without slowdowns or bottlenecks. This PC build would satisfy even full-time streamers and provides a balance of power for both gaming and streaming with Nvidia’s monster RTX 4090 GPU.

Intel Core i9-13900K

This Intel build uses their top-end i9-13900K with 24 cores and 32 threads, allowing you to game at the highest frame rates possible. It’s paired with the premium MSI MEG Z790 Godlike motherboard to enable overclocking. A robust NZXT Kraken Z73 AIO cooler keeps temps in check under the demanding loads.

32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, 2TB Samsung 980 Pro SSD, and RTX 4090 provide similar performance to the AMD build. And the Corsair 7000X case and 1200W PSU give plenty of expandability and power delivery headroom. Overall, this creates a monster streaming PC rig with the unmatched gaming power of the 13900K plus room to add a dedicated capture card and other streaming gear.

Both this Intel build and the AMD Ryzen option are excellent choices to base an RTX 4090 streaming PC around. Pick the one that best fits your budget and performance needs!

Conclusion

Building a dedicated streaming PC around Nvidia’s new RTX 4090 graphics card unleashes incredible performance. By selecting the right CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, cooling, capture card and peripherals, this rig can handle gaming footage input and stream encoding with power to spare. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 or Intel’s 13th gen Core processors pair excellently with the RTX 4090 for high FPS gameplay while efficiently compositing and compressing streams. With mindful component selection and some tuning, an RTX 4090 streaming PC build will meet the demands of today’s high quality streaming era.

Sufyan Mughal

Sufyan Mughal, is a Tech and Gaming nerd. He developed his passion during the college days and is now working passionately to make his dreams come true. He mostly likes Gaming but is also a master of Tech. His knowledge has served many people around him. He mostly likes to be alone to gain as much knowledge as he can which makes him a true master of Tech World.