Either can work, but neither is a safe choice based on its name alone. A Raspberry Pi may suit a simple, low-processing feed if its exact hardware and software setup can sustain the job. An old PC may be the better fit for OBS scenes, capture devices, or live encoding—but only if its encoder and sustained performance meet your target settings. Test the actual setup before relying on it around the clock, and measure its power draw at the wall.
How to choose between a Raspberry Pi and an old PC
Start with the work the machine must do. Relaying an already encoded feed is not the same workload as capturing video, composing OBS scenes, scaling, and encoding a live production. OBS says streaming capacity depends on the selected encoder, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity; meeting basic system requirements does not guarantee that a machine can handle your chosen stream. OBS System Requirements.
- Define the source and output. Write down whether the source is already encoded or needs capture or scene composition, and choose a target resolution, frame rate, and codec.
- Check the exact encoding path. Identify the CPU software encoder or supported hardware encoder on the specific device, including operating-system and driver support. Do not assume a board or PC supports a particular encoder just because it has a certain processor or GPU.
- Test the intended settings. Run representative motion and audio at the planned output settings. Observe dropped frames, audio continuity, temperatures or throttling indicators, and restart behavior over a meaningful period.
- Measure real power use. Use a wall meter with the complete setup and workload, including storage, peripherals, and network equipment you intend to leave running.
- Check recovery. Test what happens after a restart and a network interruption, and decide how you will observe YouTube stream health.
If an old PC you already own passes the workload test and its measured power use is acceptable, reusing it can make more sense than buying a Pi whose ability to handle that same stream remains unverified. A Pi is a reasonable candidate for a simple feed when its exact setup passes the same test. These are conditional choices, not evidence that either class of device is inherently more reliable or cheaper.
What YouTube requires from the stream
YouTube’s live encoder guidance recommends RTMPS and documents H.264, H.265, or AV1 video, AAC or MP3 audio, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval (not over four seconds). Its recommended H.264 video bitrates include 6 Mbps for 720p30, 10 Mbps for 1080p30, and 12 Mbps for 1080p60. These are platform recommendations, not proof that a particular Pi or PC can encode continuously at those settings. Choose a quality that your upload connection can sustain, test with representative audio and movement, and monitor stream health. See YouTube’s live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
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YouTube uses encoders for screen or game broadcasts, external audio/video hardware, and more involved productions such as multiple cameras and microphones; the encoder may be software or a hardware device. YouTube also transcodes live streams into different output formats for viewers. YouTube’s encoder setup information.
Run an upload speed test and leave enough headroom for a reliable stream rather than treating the recommended video bitrate as the only network demand. YouTube’s practical guidance is direct: “Make sure to test before you start your live stream.”
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Encoding: where an old PC may have an advantage
OBS generally recommends modern hardware encoding because it moves much of the work from the CPU to a specialized component in the GPU. But “hardware encoding” is not one uniform capability: encoder generation, GPU, drivers, operating system, and bitrate affect the result. OBS cautions that earlier-generation hardware encoders can produce lower image quality at the same bitrate than software x264 at its default veryfast preset. Check OBS’s hardware-encoding guidance against the specific PC and software configuration.
An old PC with a suitable, supported encoder may handle encoding and a complex scene better than a small board, but that cannot be concluded without its model and workload. Likewise, a Pi’s specifications do not establish that it can sustain a particular live-encoding workload. OBS puts the limitation plainly: “Having a compatible system does not guarantee that it is capable of streaming or recording using OBS.”
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What Raspberry Pi specifications and power figures can—and cannot—tell you
Raspberry Pi models differ in memory, interfaces, and power requirements. The official hardware reference, for example, lists Raspberry Pi 4 Model B memory configurations up to 8 GB and Raspberry Pi 500 with 8 GB and Gigabit Ethernet. Those specifications help you check ports and compatibility; they do not demonstrate sustained live-stream encoding capacity.
Use a supply appropriate for the exact model and connected devices. Raspberry Pi’s setup guidance specifies 5 V/5 A for Pi 5 and Pi 500 (5 V/3 A limits peripherals), 5 V/3 A for Pi 4 and Pi 400, and 5 V/2.5 A for Pi 3. Check the current power-supply guidance for your board and accessories.
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The Raspberry Pi hardware reference also includes approximate power measurements for Pi 1 through Pi 4 using specified test setups: a standard OS image from 2016 (or 2019 for Pi 4), monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a stated network connection. The documentation says the figures are approximate and that extra USB devices can increase consumption. They are not current Pi 5 measurements and cannot be compared directly with an unspecified old PC. To estimate operating cost, measure the actual setup’s wall power, then use your electricity tariff and intended running hours.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep a DIY stream running unattended
Whichever device you choose, a successful short setup is not evidence of round-the-clock reliability. Before leaving it unattended, test the full workflow, including the output stream, audio, network connection, and recovery behavior.
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- Use the encoder’s stream settings to match YouTube’s ingest guidance and the upload connection you have measured.
- Run a representative test stream and check YouTube’s stream health during the broadcast.
- Test recovery after restarting the computer and after interrupting the network; establish how you will detect a failed return to air.
- Check power, cabling, cooling, storage, and peripherals in their intended always-on arrangement.
- Review the rights for every video, soundtrack, and other element you plan to broadcast. YouTube’s copyright and monetization rules still apply to a continuous stream; technical ability to loop a recording does not establish that you have broadcast rights or that content meets platform policies.
Or let it run in the cloud
If keeping a local computer on is the part you want to avoid, StreamNeo runs an uploaded recording or playlist as a 24/7 YouTube stream from the cloud. Upload your video, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it includes 10 GB of storage per slot (pooled across active slots), looping and playlists, and automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, once per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. For Indian customers, UPI is available alongside cards.
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