AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1
AVerMedia's flagship external capture card matches the Elgato 4K X with full HDMI 2.1 support and 4K144 HDR passthrough at a lower price. It stands out with 5.1 surround sound capture, ultrawide resolution support, a built-in headset jack for party chat capture, and RGB lighting.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links.
Our Verdict
Matches the Elgato 4K X on HDMI 2.1 specs at a lower price, and adds 5.1 surround capture, a headset jack for party chat, and ultrawide support. The most feature-rich external capture card dollar-for-dollar.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •4K144 HDR/VRR passthrough with HDMI 2.1
- •5.1 multi-channel surround sound capture
- •Built-in headset jack for party chat
- •RGB lighting with Windows Dynamic Lighting
- •Ultrawide resolution support (3440x1440)
Cons
- •4K144 capture requires high-end PC
- •macOS limited to 4K60 capture
- •Software less polished than Elgato's
- •Slightly larger than competitors
Specifications
| Max Capture | 4K @ 144fps (Windows) / 4K60 (macOS) |
| Max Passthrough | 4K @ 144fps HDR/VRR |
| Connection | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-C) |
| HDMI | 2.1 |
| Audio | 3.5mm TRRS + 5.1 surround |
| Weight | 115g |
Who Is This For?
Best For
- Console streamers wanting party chat capture
- Ultrawide monitor users
- Feature-rich streaming setups
Not For
- macOS users needing 4K144
- Those wanting minimal setup
- Budget streamers under $150
Where to Buy
Appears In
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
Elgato 4K X
Elgato
The ultimate external capture card for next-gen gaming. The Elgato 4K X features HDMI 2.1 with up to 4K144 HDR10 capture and passthrough, making it the only external card that handles the full output of PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X without compromise. VRR passthrough eliminates screen tearing while USB 3.2 Gen 2 ensures high-bandwidth transfer.
AVerMedia Live Gamer 4K 2.1
AVerMedia
The best internal PCIe capture card for dual-PC streaming setups. The GC575 plugs directly into a PCIe Gen 3 x4 slot, offering the lowest latency possible with HDMI 2.1 passthrough up to 4K144 HDR/VRR and 4K60 capture. Its direct PCIe connection eliminates USB bandwidth concerns entirely.
Elgato HD60 X
Elgato
The best mid-range capture card for most streamers. The HD60 X delivers reliable 1080p60 HDR10 capture with 4K60 passthrough at a sweet-spot price. Its hardware HEVC encoding reduces file sizes and CPU load, while Flashback Recording caches hours of gameplay so you never miss a highlight.
Elgato Game Capture Neo
Elgato
The best budget capture card for beginners. The Game Capture Neo offers true plug-and-play simplicity with 4K60 HDR passthrough and 1080p60 capture at an accessible price. No drivers needed — just connect to your console, PC, or iPad and start streaming. Its compact, lightweight design makes it the most portable option available.