Intel Core i5-12400F

6-core, 12-thread desktop CPU used to run games, OBS and background apps.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB

My GPU for gaming and hardware-accelerated streaming. The 6GB VRAM version is the one in my PC.

16GB RAM

System memory for gaming, streaming software, browser sources and other apps running together.

Shure SM7B

Dynamic XLR broadcast microphone for my voice, with a warm, controlled sound suited to streaming and presenting.

Cloudlifter

An inline mic activator that adds clean gain to help bring the SM7B up to a useful recording level.

Behringer UMC404HD

USB audio interface connecting my XLR microphone to the PC, with multiple inputs for audio gear.

Valve Index

My PC VR headset for immersive games and VR titles such as Beat Saber.

OBS Studio

My main streaming and recording app for scenes, sources, overlays and audio routing.

Elgato Wave Link

For managing microphone processing and routing audio between apps.

Streamer.bot

For automating stream actions, triggers and interactive effects.

FIFINE AM8 Microphone

Best for: Gaming, Discord and beginner streaming.

A dynamic USB/XLR microphone. USB lets you plug straight into your PC without buying an audio interface. The XLR connection gives you an upgrade path if you buy an interface later. It has a physical gain control, headphone monitoring and a tap-to-mute control when used over USB. Keep it close to your mouth and speak across the front for a fuller, clearer sound.

FIFINE T669 USB Mic Kit

Best for: Getting several accessories in one purchase.

This kit typically bundles a USB condenser microphone with a desk boom arm, shock mount and pop filter. It is convenient if you want a complete starter setup without choosing each part separately. Condenser mics can pick up more room noise, so use it in a quiet room and keep keyboard and fan noise in mind.

Logitech C920s Webcam

Best for: A reliable 1080p facecam.

Captures Full HD video at up to 1080p/30fps and includes a privacy shutter. It is a practical option for a facecam, calls and recording. Put it near eye level, frame your head and shoulders, and light your face from the front. A well-lit 1080p webcam can look better than a more expensive camera in a dark room.

Logitech Brio 100

Best for: A simple, low-cost webcam.

A straightforward Full HD 1080p webcam with automatic light balance and a built-in privacy shutter. It is a good choice if you mainly want your face visible in a corner of the stream rather than advanced camera controls. Check your desk and monitor position before buying so the camera can sit at a comfortable angle.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Best for: Monitoring game, music and microphone audio.

Closed-back wired headphones help keep game sound from leaking into your microphone. They are also useful for checking whether your mic is clipping, too quiet or picking up background noise. Wired headphones avoid battery worries and audio delay. You do not need a gaming headset with a built-in microphone if you already have a separate mic.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

Best for: A simple all-in-one gaming headset.

A headset combines headphones and a microphone in one device, which can be an easy starting point if you do not want a separate microphone yet. Check the exact model and connection before buying, because variants can differ. Use headphones rather than speakers while live to reduce echo and game audio bleeding into your mic.

Budget Microphone Boom Arm

Why it helps: Keeps the mic close to your mouth without taking up desk space.

Look for a clamp that fits your desk thickness, a standard microphone thread or included adapters, and enough load capacity for the mic. A basic scissor arm is usually enough for a lightweight starter mic. For heavier microphones, check the arm's weight limit before buying.

Elgato Wave Mic Arm LP

Best for: A tidier, low-profile desk setup.

The arm sits low across the desk, rotates into position and includes cable channels to keep the microphone cable organised. It is a more premium option, so I would buy a microphone and headphones first if you are on a tight budget. Check desk-clamp clearance and total microphone weight before ordering.

Lighting: Logitech Litra Glow

Best for: Improving facecam quality without upgrading the camera.

A soft front light helps your face look clearer and reduces harsh shadows. Position it slightly above eye level and just off to one side. If you do not want to buy a dedicated streaming light yet, try a desk lamp aimed at a pale wall so the reflected light is softer.

Pop Filter or Foam Windscreen

Best for: Reducing plosive bursts and breath noise.

Plosives are the loud blasts of air you hear on sounds like “P” and “B”. A pop filter or foam cover can help, but it must fit the microphone you choose. Position the mic slightly to the side of your mouth instead of directly in the airflow.

Ethernet Cable

Best for: A more consistent internet connection.

A wired connection can reduce Wi-Fi interference and sudden connection changes. Choose a cable long enough to reach your router safely, and route it away from walkways. Ethernet cannot fix every internet issue, but it removes Wi-Fi as one possible source of instability.

Capture Card

Best for: Streaming a console or a second HDMI device.

You usually do not need a capture card to stream games running on the same PC as OBS. You may need one for a console, camera or second computer. Before buying, check supported resolution and frame rate, whether passthrough is available, and whether your console's copy-protection settings affect capture.

USB Hub

Best for: Desks with lots of peripherals.

A powered USB hub can help when you have a webcam, controller, microphone and other devices competing for ports. Audio interfaces and some capture devices are better connected directly to the PC. Check whether the hub is powered and supports the data speed your devices need.

Stream Control Pad

Best for: Switching scenes and triggering actions quickly.

A dedicated button pad can launch scenes, mute audio, play sound effects or run automation. It is a convenience rather than a requirement: OBS hotkeys and tools such as Streamer.bot can do a lot for free before you spend money on extra hardware.

OBS Studio

Use it for: Streaming and recording.

Build scenes from game capture, webcam, images, browser overlays and audio sources. You can set separate scenes for gameplay, starting soon, chatting and breaks. Start with a small number of scenes, test a private recording, and check your microphone and desktop audio before going live.

Audacity

Use it for: Editing voice recordings and clips.

A free audio editor for trimming recordings, reducing unwanted noise and checking voice levels. It is useful for recording voiceovers, making short clips or testing your microphone outside a live stream. Save an untouched copy before applying effects.

DaVinci Resolve

Use it for: Editing stream highlights and YouTube videos.

The free version provides a full video-editing workflow with trimming, titles, transitions, colour tools and audio editing. It can take time to learn and benefits from a reasonably capable PC, so start with short clips and proxy media if playback is slow.

Discord

Use it for: Community chat and voice calls.

Create channels for announcements, community chat and support, and use voice channels to hang out with viewers. Set moderation rules and permissions before inviting lots of people. Avoid routing Discord output back into your stream microphone input, which can cause echo.

Streamer.bot

Use it for: Automating stream actions.

Connect chat commands, alerts, hotkeys and OBS actions into workflows. For example, a command can change a scene, trigger an animation or run a sound effect. Start with one simple command, test it offline, and only then build more complex automations.

Visual Studio Code

Use it for: Custom overlays and website code.

A free code editor for HTML, CSS and JavaScript, useful if you want custom OBS browser overlays, alerts or a personal website. Keep a backup of working files before changing code, and test overlays in a browser before adding them to OBS.

Elgato Stream Deck Neo

Best for: Quick controls while live.

Use physical buttons to switch OBS scenes, mute your microphone, launch apps or trigger sound effects. It is especially useful if you regularly change scenes or run lots of stream commands. You can start with OBS hotkeys or Streamer.bot before paying for a control pad.

Elgato HD60 X Capture Card

Best for: Capturing console gameplay.

Connect a console's HDMI output to the capture card and send the video to OBS on your PC. Check the supported capture and passthrough resolutions against your console and monitor. You normally do not need this for games running on the same PC you stream from.

Second Monitor

Best for: Keeping chat and OBS visible.

A second screen lets you monitor chat, alerts, OBS audio meters and your stream dashboard without constantly minimising your game. A basic 1080p monitor is usually enough for chat and controls; it does not need to match your main gaming monitor.

Gaming Mouse

Best for: Comfortable everyday gaming.

Choose a mouse that fits your hand and grip rather than buying based on the highest advertised DPI. Extra side buttons can be handy for push-to-talk or game controls. A wired model is often a good-value starting point, while wireless is useful if you prefer a cleaner desk.

Mechanical or Gaming Keyboard

Best for: A comfortable typing and gaming setup.

Look for a layout that suits your desk, keys that feel comfortable, and a noise level that will not distract from your microphone. You do not need an expensive mechanical keyboard to stream. If keyboard clicks are loud on mic, move the mic closer to your mouth and farther from the keyboard.

Desk Mat

Best for: A tidier desk and smoother mouse movement.

A large desk mat gives your keyboard and mouse a consistent surface and can help keep the desk looking organised on camera. Measure your desk first and check that it leaves enough room for your microphone arm clamp.

Comfortable Gaming Chair

Best for: Longer streams.

Prioritise adjustable seat height, suitable lumbar support and a seat that fits your body. A well-fitting office chair can be just as good as a gaming-branded chair. If possible, try one in person rather than choosing only by its appearance.

Green Screen or Backdrop

Best for: Hiding a busy background.

A plain backdrop can make a facecam look cleaner without needing to tidy or decorate the whole room. A green screen gives you the option of chroma key in OBS, but needs even lighting and enough space. A simple curtain or plain wall is an easy alternative.

USB Audio Interface

Best for: XLR microphones.

An interface connects an XLR microphone to your computer and provides gain controls and headphone monitoring. Check that it supplies enough clean gain for your chosen mic, has the number of inputs you need and has reliable drivers for your operating system. USB microphones do not need a separate interface.

Shock Mount

Best for: Reducing desk bumps and vibration.

A compatible shock mount helps isolate the microphone from knocks transmitted through a desk or boom arm. Make sure it is designed for your exact microphone model, because mounts are not universal.

Closed-Back Headphones

Best for: Clear monitoring without speaker echo.

Closed-back headphones help stop game audio leaking into your microphone. Comfort matters for long sessions, and wired models avoid battery charging and usually have minimal delay. You can start with headphones you already own if they sound clear and are comfortable.

External SSD

Best for: Storing recordings and clips.

Video recordings can use a lot of space. An external SSD is useful for moving projects between computers and keeping clips separate from your main drive. Check the connection speed and capacity, and keep a second backup of important videos rather than relying on one drive alone.

Surge-Protected Extension Lead

Best for: Organising desk power.

A quality surge-protected extension lead can provide extra sockets for your PC, monitors and accessories. Check the rated load and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do not daisy-chain extension leads or overload sockets.

Ethernet Switch

Best for: Wired connections for several devices.

If your router has too few LAN ports, an unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch can connect your PC and other wired devices. Use suitable Ethernet cables and remember that a switch does not increase the internet speed supplied by your broadband plan.

Controller

Best for: Games that feel better with a gamepad.

A controller can be useful for platformers, racing games and some action games, even when you stream from PC. Check Windows compatibility and whether the games you play support it. You do not need a specialist controller unless you want extra buttons or customisation.

NVIDIA Broadcast

Use it for: AI microphone noise removal and webcam effects.

It can help reduce background noise and apply camera effects on supported NVIDIA GPUs. Results depend on your hardware and room, and it is not a replacement for sensible mic placement. Check supported GPU requirements before installing.

Mix It Up

Use it for: Chat commands and stream automation.

Build commands, timers, chat interactions and other automated actions. It is an alternative to explore if you want more than basic chat commands; choose one automation tool to start with so your setup stays manageable.

Touch Portal

Use it for: Turning a phone or tablet into a control panel.

Create touch buttons for scene changes, muting, shortcuts and app controls. It can be a lower-cost way to try a Stream Deck-style workflow using a device you already own. Check which features are included in the free version.

GIMP

Use it for: Editing thumbnails, panels and graphics.

A free image editor for cropping images, making simple graphics and preparing stream assets. It is useful for learning basic design without paying for a subscription, although its interface takes some getting used to.

Canva

Use it for: Thumbnails, announcements and social graphics.

A browser-based design tool with templates for stream announcements, thumbnails and social posts. The free tier is enough for many simple designs, while some assets and features require a paid plan.

ShareX

Use it for: Screenshots and quick screen recordings.

Capture part of your screen, annotate screenshots and create quick recordings for troubleshooting or tutorials. It is handy when you need to show someone a settings issue without setting up a full OBS recording.

ReaPlugs VST FX Suite

Use it for: Free audio effects in compatible apps.

Includes audio plugins such as ReaEQ, ReaComp and ReaGate that can be used in compatible audio software. Plugin compatibility varies by host and system, so check the current installer details before downloading.

VLC Media Player

Use it for: Playing and checking media files.

A free media player that supports many audio and video formats. Useful for checking clips, music files and recordings before using them in a video or stream. Make sure you have the rights to any music you broadcast.

1. Clear Audio

Start with a decent USB microphone or headset and headphones. Set the mic close to your mouth, lower game audio so it does not overpower your voice, and make a test recording before buying extra processing gear.

2. Stable Setup

Use OBS Studio, a reliable internet connection and a small number of scenes. Test your stream settings and check that the game, microphone and chat audio are balanced.

3. Lighting and Camera

If you want a facecam, add a light first, then a webcam. If you stream gameplay without a facecam, you can skip both and spend nothing here.