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It depends on your PC’s measured electricity use and which Gyre plan you need. OBS Studio has no software subscription price, but a computer left on to stream consumes electricity. Gyre charges a subscription and runs prerecorded streams in its cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay online for the broadcast. Compare the Gyre tier you would actually use with the PC’s incremental power cost—not with a guessed wattage.
How to decide which costs less
For a direct software-and-electricity comparison, calculate the extra electricity used by your PC while streaming, then compare that monthly amount with the relevant Gyre plan price. If the PC would otherwise be on, count only the additional power attributable to streaming. Include other costs only if they genuinely apply to you, such as buying replacement hardware or maintaining a dedicated internet connection; those costs have not been quantified here.
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Calculate the PC’s monthly electricity cost
Monthly PC electricity cost = average incremental PC watts ÷ 1,000 × streaming hours in the billing month × your electricity price per kWh.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Measure the complete PC at the wall while it performs the intended streaming task. An optional plug-in electricity monitor can help. Use a representative measurement period rather than relying on a guessed PC wattage.
- If the PC would normally be off, use its measured streaming draw as the incremental draw. If it would already be on, measure or estimate the extra draw caused by streaming and use only that amount.
- Multiply by the hours you intend to stream during the billing month, then by the all-in per-kWh rate on your electricity bill where possible.
Watts measure power; kilowatt-hours measure energy used over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains the distinction in its electricity-measurement guide. As context—not as a substitute for your tariff—the EIA’s May 2026 Short-Term Energy Outlook forecast an average U.S. residential summer 2026 electricity price of 18.27 cents/kWh. That is a national forecast, not a household rate; see the EIA table.
#1 Best Overall
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKTEC WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 3-year limited warranty (1 year replacement + 2 years parts replacement) for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase effective on all sales starting Oct. 2026. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC
Use the break-even result carefully
- If the PC’s incremental monthly electricity cost is below the Gyre plan you actually need, OBS is cheaper on the direct software-plus-electricity line items.
- If electricity alone costs more than that Gyre plan, Gyre may cost less on those two line items.
- Neither result establishes which option is more reliable or better for your channel. There is no representative PC wattage, household electricity rate, independent uptime measurement, or controlled cost comparison that supports a universal winner.
What Gyre costs and includes
Gyre’s official pricing page, accessed October 3, 2026, lists these one-month prices. The page also displays lower multi-month totals and discounts, so do not confuse prepaid billing with the listed one-month price. Verify the current price and exact terms at Gyre’s official site before subscribing.
| Plan | Listed one-month price | Concurrent stream capacity | Storage and workflow features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | $49/month | One HD stream | 35 GB; no watermark |
| Start+ | $99/month | Four HD streams or one 4K stream | 75 GB; playlists and scheduling |
| PRO+ | $169/month | Eight HD streams or two 4K streams | 150 GB; playlists and scheduling |
Gyre lists a seven-day free trial with one Full HD 30fps stream, 20 GB of storage for up to 15 files, and a Gyre watermark. Confirm trial and plan terms at checkout; plan details can change.
Rank #2
- 【Great power in a small computer】Get fast performance from the Ryzen 5 3501U processor (2.1GHz-3.7GHz, 4 Cores 8 Threads) inside this mini pc, TDP 15W up to 25W. It's perfect for all your home office and business use, like daily computing, web browsing, and smooth media streaming. This small desktop computer handles everyday tasks easily and quietly.
- 【Work on many things at once with lots of storage】This mini PC comes with 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), allowing you to smoothly run multiple programs, dozens of browser tabs, and large files all at once. It also features a spacious 512GB SSD that provides ample storage and delivers dramatically faster boot-ups, app launches, and file transfers compared to a traditional hard drive.
- 【See everything clearly on three 4K screens】Connect three monitors for more space to work or play. 1*Type-C 3.2 DP+DATA+PD and 2*HDMI ports on this mini pc support super sharp 4K Ultra HD video. It's great for doubling your work area for business or watching movies in high definition.
- 【Fast modern connections in a tiny box】Enjoy a better and more stable internet connection with the latest WiFi 6. Use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect wireless headphones, keyboards, and mice without wires. This small pc is very compact to save desk space and has extra USB ports (2*USB3.2, 2*USB 2.0, 1*Type-C 3.2 DP+DATA+PD, 1*Type-C 2.0, 2*HDMI 4K60Hz) for your printer, webcam, or other computer accessories.
- 【Ready to use, saves space, and runs quiet】This mini desktop computer comes with the OS 11 Pro operating system pre-installed, so you can set it up and start using it immediately. Its compact, small form factor not only saves valuable desk space but also operates very quietly, ensuring it won't distract you whether you're working, studying, or streaming media.
Choose the tier for your actual workload
For a single 24/7 HD channel, the listed Start capacity is one simultaneous HD stream; higher tiers add stream capacity and workflow features. If you need 4K or several concurrent streams, compare those requirements against the capacity listed for each tier rather than treating the highest plan as the default cost of running one channel.
What OBS costs—and what keeping a PC online means
OBS Studio is free and open source under GPLv2, and its official site says it can be used commercially without restrictions. It is local desktop software for recording and live streaming. The software has no subscription price, but a PC running it continuously uses electricity, and local operation depends on the computer and its internet connection being available. See OBS’s official site and its help portal.
Rank #3
- Jasper Lake Architecture Intel N4500 Processor – The Bmax B3Pro Mini PC is powered by the Jasper Lake Architecture Intel N4500 processor with 2 cores, 2 threads, 4MB cache and a burst frequency up to 2.8GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N4500 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage, Expandable up to 4TB – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, the B3 Pro provides responsive performance for everyday computing, with quick startup and smooth multitasking. Featuring a dual M.2 SSD slot design (1× SATA + 1× NVMe), it allows flexible storage expansion up to 4TB, giving you more space for applications, files, media, and other digital content
- Rich Interfaces & Reliable Connectivity – The B3 Pro Windows 11 Pro mini PC is equipped with USB 3.0 with data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps, dual HDMI 2.0 outputs supporting up to 4K@60Hz, and a 3.5mm audio jack. With WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000Mbps), it easily connects to monitors, projectors, printers, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals for convenient home, office, and everyday use
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 2.8GHz), the B3Pro supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment
- Bmax WARRANTY - Bmax offers a 1-year limited Bmax's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC
Gyre instead streams prerecorded files from its cloud service. Its official homepage says: “Your streams continue running on Gyre’s cloud infrastructure even if your laptop is off, your browser is closed, or your internet connection drops.” That describes Gyre’s cloud delivery model; it is not an independent uptime guarantee.
Compare the practical trade-offs
| Consideration | OBS on your PC | Gyre |
|---|---|---|
| Software or service charge | OBS is free; electricity and any other owner-specific costs are separate. | Listed one-month plans start at $49/month; check the live plan page for current terms. |
| Where the stream runs | Locally on your computer. | In Gyre’s cloud service for prerecorded files. |
| PC and home connection during the broadcast | The PC must run the local broadcast, and its connection is part of the setup. | Gyre says the computer and home connection need not stay online to send the broadcast. |
| Stream capacity and resolution | Depends on your setup and stream configuration; the cited OBS and YouTube guidance does not establish a particular PC’s capacity. | Plan-specific capacities are listed above; confirm current terms with Gyre. |
| Storage, playlists, scheduling, watermark | Not stated in the cited OBS sources as comparable service-plan allowances. | Storage and features vary by plan; the trial includes a watermark. |
| Reliability comparison | No independent comparison establishes a typical PC’s or Gyre’s reliability. | No independent comparison establishes a typical PC’s or Gyre’s reliability. |
Stream and YouTube requirements still matter
Changing from a local encoder to a cloud service does not remove YouTube’s live-stream requirements or make copyrighted material safe to broadcast. YouTube’s current encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS protocols, resolution-specific bitrate guidance, and recommends RTMPS for encrypted delivery. Follow the settings for your chosen resolution in YouTube’s encoder settings guide; those recommendations do not establish a specific PC’s power draw or connection reliability.
Rank #4
- 【Powerful & Efficient Performance】Powered by the Intel Celeron J3355 Processor (up to 2.5GHz), this Mini PC delivers a 25% performance boost over previous generations. Pre-installed with Windows 11 Home and supporting Linux/Ubuntu, it’s the ideal micro desktop for seamless web browsing, document editing, and efficient daily office tasks.
- 【Massive Storage & Unique Expansion】Equipped with 6GB LPDDR3 RAM and 128GB onboard storage for fast boot-ups. Stand out with our dual M.2 SSD slot design (1x SATA + 1x NVMe), allowing you to easily expand storage up to 2TB without replacing the original drive. Perfect for managing large digital libraries and intensive multitasking.
- 【Stunning 4K Dual HDMI Display】Boost your productivity with Intel HD Graphics 500 and dual HDMI ports, supporting 4K @60Hz high-definition visuals. Connect two monitors simultaneously to streamline your workflow—ideal for home office setups, stock trading, or enjoying a theater-like 4K media experience.
- 【Ultra-Compact & Space-Saving Design】Measuring only 4.2x4.1x1.4 inches and weighing just 0.49 lbs, this palm-sized mini computer fits anywhere. Use the included VESA bracket to mount it behind your monitor for a zero-clutter workspace. Features a smart silent fan and heat sink system for quiet, reliable 24/7 operation.
- 【Stable Connectivity & Smart Recovery】Stay connected with Dual-Band WiFi (2.4G/5G), Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet. Exclusive One-Click Restore feature (via F9 key) allows for quick system recovery in minutes. Backed by Bmax's 12-month warranty and lifetime technical support for a worry-free purchase.
Use only video and audio you have rights to use, and check YouTube’s current live and monetization policies for your channel and content. Gyre’s API guide says monetization on third-party-created streams depends on a YouTube Studio monetization default being enabled and describes controls for ads on eligible broadcasts. That is Gyre’s guidance, not evidence that any particular channel qualifies for monetization or will earn revenue. See Gyre’s YouTube API guide.
Which option fits your channel?
- Choose OBS when you want local control, already have a suitable PC and connection, and your measured incremental electricity cost makes sense against the cloud plan you would otherwise buy.
- Choose Gyre when you want prerecorded video to continue from the cloud without keeping your own computer and home connection online, and the plan’s capacity and workflow features fit your channel.
- Do the calculation before deciding if cost is the main concern. There is no sound universal answer without your measured power use, actual tariff, streaming hours, and required plan features.
Another cloud option to consider
1. StreamNeo is an alternative for keeping a prerecorded YouTube channel live from the cloud: any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with the first day free.
Or let it run in the cloud
With StreamNeo, upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Your upload streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day on StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
