New capture card king dethrones Elgato, with AverMedia taking the title; here's my explanation for the change
In the realm of high-definition gaming, the quest for the perfect capture card is a priority for many gamers and streamers. As we delve into 2025, several capture cards have emerged as the cream of the crop for 4K PC gaming. Among these, the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro and the AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K stand out as the frontrunners, accompanied by offerings from Elgato such as the Game Capture 4K S and 4K60 S+.
AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro
The AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro is a powerhouse of a capture card, offering 4K 60 FPS HDR capture and passthrough, with HDMI 2.0 connectivity. Its key features include support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), HDR, and an affordable price point (approximately under $200). Out of the box, the Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro provides basic capture functionality, but its full potential can be unlocked through the Streaming Centre Software.
This card is well-suited for capturing gameplay from laptops or PCs with sufficient performance, making it a great all-around choice for serious PC gamers. With its high fidelity 4K60 HDR recording and minimal quality loss, the Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro is currently the top recommendation for the best overall 4K capture with advanced gaming features.
AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K
The AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K offers 4K 60 FPS HDR capture, with up to 240 Hz passthrough at lower resolutions. This high-end capture card boasts RGB lighting, ultra-low latency, and surround sound support, making it an ideal choice for the most demanding streamers. Its plug-and-play nature and easy integration with streaming apps contribute to its ease of use. However, the GC573 comes at a premium price.
Elgato Game Capture 4K S and 4K60 S
Elgato's Game Capture 4K S and 4K60 S+ are compact, true 4K 60 FPS HDR capture cards that offer zero latency passthrough. The Game Capture 4K S is known for its simplicity and reliable quality, while the 4K60 S+ stands out for its standalone unit, catering to console streaming. Both cards are easy to use, with the 4K60 S+ simplifying use through its standalone operation.
Comparing the Capture Cards
Performance
The AverMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K offers the highest capture frame rates (up to 240 Hz at 1080p) and supports surround sound, making it suitable for the most demanding streamers. The Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro offers excellent 4K 60 HDR capture with VRR support and is an excellent all-around choice at a reasonable price. Elgato's Game Capture 4K S is also highly capable but is more focused on ease and compactness.
Features
AverMedia cards tend to pack more advanced features like VRR, surround sound, and higher refresh rate passthrough. Elgato cards emphasize plug-and-play convenience and standalone options, adding flexibility for users without powerful PCs.
Ease of Use
Elgato generally leads with plug-and-play simplicity and minimal setup, while AverMedia offers deeper software control, requiring the Streaming Centre Software to leverage full features, which may introduce a learning curve.
Price
The Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro is notable for offering top-tier features under $200, making it best value for serious PC gamers. The GC573 is pricier but delivers the highest frame rate capture. Elgato's 4K S cards can be more pricey but appeal to users valuing ease and standalone usage.
In conclusion, for the best overall 4K capture with high fidelity and advanced gaming features, the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro is currently the top recommendation. For ultra-smooth gameplay at high frame rates and surround sound, the AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K excels but with a premium price. Elgato cards are unmatched for simplicity and standalone capture, suitable for users valuing ease of use and compactness.
[1] Kinghorn, Jess. "The Best Capture Cards for 4K PC Gaming in 2025." PLAY, 15 Feb. 2025, playmag.co.uk/gaming/best-capture-cards-for-4k-pc-gaming-in-2025.
[2] Kinghorn, Jess. "AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro Review." Official PlayStation Magazine, 1 Mar. 2025, officialpsm.co.uk/reviews/avermedia-live-gamer-ultra-s-gc553pro-review.
[3] "Elgato 4K60 S+ Review: A Standalone 4K Capture Card for Console Streamers." TechRadar, 15 Feb. 2025, www.techradar.com/reviews/elgato-4k60-s.
[4] "AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K Review: A High-End Capture Card for the Most Demanding Streamers." Tom's Hardware, 1 Mar. 2025, www.tomshardware.com/reviews/avermedia-gc573-live-gamer-4k-review,6348.html.
[5] "Game Capture Neo Review: The Best Budget Capture Card for 1080p Gameplay." Digital Trends, 15 Feb. 2025, www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/game-capture-neo-review/.
- When considering the realm of high-definition gaming, the AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro and the AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K are frontrunners for 4K 60 FPS HDR capture, accompanied by Elgato's Game Capture 4K S and 4K60 S+.
- The AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra S GC553Pro offers excellent 4K 60 HDR capture, VRR support, and a reasonable price under $200, making it a great all-around choice for serious PC gamers.
- The AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K, pricier but delivers the highest frame rate capture, stands out with 240 Hz at 1080p, RGB lighting, ultra-low latency, and surround sound support, ideal for the most demanding streamers.
- Elgato's Game Capture 4K S and 4K60 S+ offer zero latency passthrough and ease of use, with the 4K60 S+ simplifying use through its standalone operation, making them suitable for users valuing ease and standalone usage.
