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Head-to-head · Best Capture Cards for Streaming

AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573) vs Elgato 4K X

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.4). AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573) is best for: Desktop PC streamers who prefer an internal card for 4K60 HDR capture and have a free PCIe slot. Read the strengths below before deciding.

AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573)
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Capture Cards for Streaming
AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573)
1 source$139.99as of Oct 20

The AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573) is the internal-card pick, delivering 4K60 HDR10 capture and high-frame-rate 1440p144/1080p240 modes from a PCIe slot. Reviewers praise its low latency and superb footage, and it often undercuts Elgato's internal 4K60 Pro. The catch is a documented PCIe-bandwidth quirk that can cap capture near 55fps on some setups, so slot placement matters.

Strengths
  • — 4K60 HDR10 capture and passthrough as an internal PCIe card
  • — Supports high-frame-rate 1440p144 and 1080p240 capture
  • — Very low latency capture with playable preview window
Watch-outs
  • — PCIe x4 bandwidth quirk can cap capture near 55fps on some boards
  • — Requires an open PCIe slot, so no laptop or console-only use
$139.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Elgato 4K X
Ranked #3 in Best Capture Cards for Streaming
Elgato 4K X
2 sources$224.99as of Oct 20

The Elgato 4K X is the most capable external capture card you can buy right now, pushing all the way to 4K144 capture with HDR10 and HDMI 2.1 passthrough. Reviewers treat it as the gold standard for serious creators who want headroom beyond 4K60. It costs more than the competition and demands a fast PC, but nothing else in the external class matches its ceiling.

Strengths
  • — Captures up to 4K144 with HDR10, far beyond most external cards
  • — USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) keeps it external and PC-and-Mac friendly
  • — On-device HDR-to-SDR tonemapping simplifies recording for non-HDR workflows
Watch-outs
  • — HDR10 capture is Windows-only
  • — Can be temperamental with third-party HDMI cables
$224.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573)

The GC573 is the only internal PCIe card here, capturing 4K60 like the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro) but inside the case.

Elgato 4K X

The 4K X is the only card here that captures past 4K60, beating the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro) which caps at 4K60.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAVerMedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573)Elgato 4K X
Max Capture4K60 HDR10 (1440p144 / 1080p240)4K144 (2160p144) HDR10
Passthrough4K60 HDR10, 1440p144, 1080p2404K144 (4K120 on DSC displays), VRR
InterfacePCIe x4 (internal)USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
HDMIHDMI 2.0 in / outHDMI 2.1 in / out
HDRHDR10 capture + passthroughHDR10 capture (Windows) + passthrough
CompatibilityDesktop PC (PCIe slot required)PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC, Mac, iPad
Form FactorInternal add-in cardExternal
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