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Elgato 4K S vs Elgato 4K X: Comparison
Elgato 4K S and Elgato 4K X differ on form factor: Elgato 4K S at External USB, Elgato 4K X at Internal PCIe.
Specs
| Specification |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | External USB | Internal PCIe |
| Brand | Elgato | Elgato |
| Connection Type | USB-C | PCIe Gen 4 x4 |
| Passthrough Resolution | 4K60, 1440p120, 1440p144, 1080p240 | 4K144 |
| Software Integration | OBS | OBS |
| Model | 4K S | 4K X |
Verdict
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.
Elgato 4K X
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The right step up for creators who need genuine high-frame-rate 4K SDR capture (4K144/4K120) and VRR handling — provided you have a desktop with an open PCIe x4 slot, and you accept the 4K60 ceiling when capturing in HDR.