Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe right capture card depends on what you want to capture, what your display should show, and which computer and software will handle the stream. For high-refresh external capture, consider Elgato 4K X or AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1; for a 4K60-oriented setup, look at AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S; for a portable 4K60 workflow, consider Elgato 4K S; and for a desktop PCIe build, consider AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1. These are workflow-based recommendations, not results from a common hands-on test across all models.
What a capture card does—and what its numbers mean
A capture card takes video and audio from a console or gaming PC and sends a copy to a computer for streaming or recording. Passthrough sends the gameplay onward to a monitor or TV. As Elgato puts it, “A capture card sits between your console or gaming PC and your display.” Elgato’s 4K X product page and its capture-card buying guide describe this role.
Capture and passthrough are separate paths. A card might pass a high-resolution, high-refresh or HDR signal to the display while sending a different resolution, frame rate or color format to streaming software. Read the supported-mode table for the exact card, source, operating system and app you plan to use; do not assume a headline passthrough number is also the capture mode.
Choose by workflow
| Workflow | Model | What the cited sources support | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-refresh external capture | Elgato 4K X | Elgato describes it as an external USB, HDMI 2.1 card with capture up to 4K144 and high-refresh passthrough. Its buying guide positions it for capture above 4K60 and 120Hz-or-higher gameplay. | Elgato says HDR capture is not available at every resolution/frame-rate combination. Do not assume 4K144 HDR works for every source or app. |
| External HDMI 2.1 setup | AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) | AVerMedia lists capture up to 4K144 using Streaming Center on Windows and up to 4K60 using OBS on Mac. HDMI 2.1 passthrough supports the high-refresh modes listed on its product page. | Capture limits depend on software and OS. The host USB-C port and the connected HDMI devices must support the intended mode. AVerMedia says DSC displays may limit passthrough to 4K120. |
| 4K60-focused external capture | AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro) | PC Gamer names it its “best overall” pick in its roundup and lists capture up to 4K60, with 1440p144 and 1080p240 modes. | “Best overall” is PC Gamer’s editorial judgment, not a consensus or independent test of every model here. Its roundup says some advanced 4K functionality depends on Streaming Center software. |
| Portable 4K60 capture | Elgato 4K S | Elgato’s buying guide says it captures up to 4K60 with HDR and works with Windows, macOS and iPad. It identifies analog audio input for party chat as a differentiator. | This is manufacturer guidance. Confirm the precise source, app and HDR mode you need rather than treating compatibility as universal. |
| Internal desktop capture | AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) | AVerMedia lists a PCIe Gen 3 x4 interface, HDMI 2.1 input and output, Windows 10/11 requirements, 4K144 capture in Streaming Center and 4K60 among its capture modes. | It is a desktop card, not a portable option. Check for a compatible free PCIe slot, host specifications, the full HDMI signal chain and your capture app. AVerMedia says DSC displays may limit passthrough to 4K120. |
Match the card to your equipment
Set your capture target
Decide whether 1080p60 is sufficient or whether your recordings and stream need 4K60 or a higher frame rate. The frame rate and resolution sent to your streaming software are distinct from what passthrough sends to your display. A high-refresh monitor is useful only if the source, card and display can pass the mode you want while the card captures the mode you need.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Check the whole source-to-display chain
Identify the console or gaming PC, the monitor or TV, and every connection between them. HDMI 2.1 capability in the card alone does not make the entire setup HDMI 2.1-ready: the source, display, host connection and cables must also support the intended signal. AVerMedia calls out a compatible source and display and USB 3.2 Gen 2 or above for the ULTRA 2.1. It recommends using the supplied cables.
Choose USB or PCIe for your computer
- External USB: portable and suitable for laptops, provided the host has the required port and supports the card’s bandwidth and modes.
- Internal PCIe: suited to a desktop installation. Confirm the compatible free slot and system requirements; the GC575 specifies PCIe Gen 3 x4.
Verify the app, OS and HDR mode
Some advertised capture modes require a particular app and operating system. For example, AVerMedia specifies different ULTRA 2.1 capture limits for Windows Streaming Center and OBS on Mac. HDR is similarly mode-specific: HDR passthrough does not guarantee HDR capture at every resolution or frame rate.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
OBS’s HDR capture guide, dated 2022-08-02, says OBS 28.0 introduced HDR recording and streaming and that an external capture device needs to support a 10-bit format such as P010 for HDR capture. That guide describes device HDR capture on Windows and lists tested devices including Elgato 4K X and HD60 X. Treat it as a compatibility starting point, not a guarantee of current support for every card, mode or software version.
Plan game audio, commentary and party chat
Check how the card and platform route game audio, microphone commentary and party chat. Audio support and cabling vary by model and platform. Elgato’s guide identifies analog audio input for party chat on the 4K S, but that differentiator does not establish that every console’s party chat will work without additional setup.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Setup checks before you go live
- Write down the desired modes. Note the resolution and frame rate you want captured in software and the resolution, refresh rate and HDR behavior you want on the display.
- Confirm each device supports them. Check the source, card, display and host connection against the manufacturer’s mode table. For HDMI 2.1 setups, verify the complete chain.
- Confirm the application and OS. Match the capture limit to the software you will actually use—such as OBS or a vendor app—and the operating system running it.
- Connect and test passthrough separately from capture. Verify the display receives the intended image, then check the captured feed in your streaming or recording software. If the two differ, compare the selected modes and formats rather than relying on the passthrough label.
- Check audio routing. Confirm game sound, microphone input and party chat independently, including any console-specific chat routing.
- Test HDR only in the intended combination. Confirm that the source format, card, OS, app, resolution and frame rate all support HDR capture—not merely HDR passthrough.
Common problems and what to check
- The display works, but the software feed is lower resolution or refresh rate: passthrough and capture are different paths. Check the card’s capture-mode table and the current app’s selected input mode.
- A 4K144 mode is missing: verify the model’s software and OS requirements. For the ULTRA 2.1, AVerMedia ties 4K144 capture to Streaming Center on Windows; it lists up to 4K60 with OBS on Mac.
- Passthrough falls to 4K120: check whether the display uses DSC. AVerMedia says DSC displays may limit passthrough to 4K120 on the ULTRA 2.1 and GC575.
- HDR reaches the display but not the recording: passthrough does not prove the capture path supports HDR. Check the exact mode and app; OBS’s published guidance calls for a device supporting a 10-bit format such as P010 and is Windows-specific.
- The host does not expose the advertised mode: check the computer’s port, required USB generation or PCIe slot, operating system and vendor software requirements.
- Party chat is missing: inspect the console’s chat-output settings and the card’s supported audio input and routing for that platform. Game audio and party chat may follow different paths.
Cost and availability
Capture-card prices and regional stock change. Elgato’s US 4K X page displayed $249.99 when accessed on 2026-10-03; treat that as a dated US listing, not a guaranteed current or worldwide price. Check the manufacturer or retailer serving your region before buying. Do not pay for a mode you cannot use with your source, host, display and software.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
A capture card is for bringing a live console or PC signal into a computer. If your goal is instead to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube live stream, StreamNeo is a separate option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, then go live. It runs the loop in the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home; it supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price per slot, can recover automatically if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for uploaded video on YouTube, not a camera feed. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
