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AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 vs Elgato 4K S: Comparison
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 vs Elgato 4K S connection type compared
They are built to different briefs, and connection type shows it, AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 USB-C / Thunderbolt against Elgato 4K S USB-C. Max recording resolution is not the same on both, 4K30 HDR on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K60 on the Elgato 4K S. Passthrough resolution is not the same on both, 4K60 HDR on the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 versus 4K60, 1440p120, 1440p144, 1080p240 on the Elgato 4K S.
Which should you buy, AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 or Elgato 4K S?
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 is the one to take for Single-PC streamers who game and stream from the same machine and anyone standardized on AVerMedia's RECentral software ecosystem. It is equally the pick for streamers capturing HDR console footage who want encoding off their PC's CPU. Avoid it for buyers who already have a spare NVENC-capable GPU and don't need onboard encoding. The Elgato 4K S suits buyers on a 1440p high-refresh monitor specifically. It also earns its place with laptop and iPad streamers wanting genuine 4K60 capture without an internal PCIe card. It is not the one for desktop-only setups where an internal PCIe card's lower latency and higher bandwidth ceiling would be preferable. Our rating of the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (8/10): A genuinely useful onboard-encoder pick for single-PC streamers doing HDR console capture, though it costs more than AVerMedia's simpler externals. Our rating of the Elgato 4K S (9/10): the most portable way to get genuine 4K60 capture, ideal for laptop and iPad streamers, especially on a 1440p high-refresh monitor.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: form factor are identical here.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- External USB
- Elgato 4K S
- External USB
Brand
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- AVerMedia
- Elgato 4K S
- Elgato
Model Number
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 (GC553)
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K S
Connection Type
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- USB-C / Thunderbolt
- Elgato 4K S
- USB-C
Max Recording Resolution
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- 4K30 HDR
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K60
Passthrough Resolution
- AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
- 4K60 HDR
- Elgato 4K S
- 4K60, 1440p120, 1440p144, 1080p240
Which one should you pick?
Choose AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Elgato 4K S if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 | Elgato 4K S |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A genuinely useful onboard-encoder pick for single-PC streamers doing HDR console capture, though it costs more than AVerMedia's simpler externals.
Elgato 4K S
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The most portable way to get genuine 4K60 capture, ideal for laptop and iPad streamers, especially on a 1440p high-refresh monitor.