The Elgato Game Capture 4K X meets
the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro)
The external card that finally brings HDMI 2.1 and 4K144 capture in one box, which Dexerto scored a full 5 out of 5.. We tested it head-to-head against the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro) across 6 key dimensions.
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
“The external card that finally brings HDMI 2.1 and 4K144 capture in one box, which Dexerto scored a full 5 out of 5.”
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro)
“PC Gamer's best overall pick, delivering 4K60 capture and VRR passthrough for well under the price of an HDMI 2.1 flagship.”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
- 4K capture at up to 144Hz and 1080p240, which PCGamesN singles out as the best reason to buy
- Full HDMI 2.1 passthrough with VRR and HDR10, per Dexerto's 5 out of 5 review
- Undercuts the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 on price while matching its headline specs, Dexerto notes
- Only one HDMI 2.1 cable is in the box, so Dexerto says you need a second for passthrough
- Still requires the Elgato capture utility despite Plug and Play marketing, per Dexerto
- Overkill for anyone who does not own a high-refresh 4K display, PCGamesN warns
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro)
- 4K60 capture with HDR at a price PC Gamer calls exceedingly reasonable
- VRR support plus 1440p144 and 1080p240 passthrough so PC play stays smooth, per TechPowerUp
- Sits well below HDMI 2.1 flagships while covering what most streamers actually record
- Native software has limitations that PC Gamer flags as the weak point
- Drops to HDMI 2.0, so no 4K144 passthrough like the pricier Ultra 2.1, TechPowerUp notes
- Needs a reasonably powerful PC to handle 4K capture, per PCGamesN's take on the AVerMedia line
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Elgato Game Capture 4K X is the card that finally moved external capture into the HDMI 2.1 era, and Dexerto's Sayem Ahmed handed it a full 5 out of 5. It records 4K at up to 144Hz and 1080p at 240Hz, passes 4K144 with VRR and HDR10 through to your display, and does all of it over USB-C without opening your PC. PCGamesN's Edward Chester ranks it the best card for 4K work, and Dexerto's key point is that it undercuts the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 while matching its headline specs. The box even includes a premium HDMI 2.1 cable that Dexerto rated a cut above most others. For creators who want modern capture in a portable unit, this is the one that keeps turning up at the top.
Elgato Game Capture 4K X
The Elgato Game Capture 4K X is the card that finally moved external capture into the HDMI 2.1 era, and Dexerto's Sayem Ahmed handed it a full 5 out of 5. It records 4K at up to 144Hz and 1080p at 240Hz, passes 4K144 with VRR and HDR10 through to your display, and does all of it over USB-C without opening your PC. PCGamesN's Edward Chester ranks it the best card for 4K work, and Dexerto's key point is that it undercuts the AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 while matching its headline specs. The box even includes a premium HDMI 2.1 cable that Dexerto rated a cut above most others. For creators who want modern capture in a portable unit, this is the one that keeps turning up at the top.
- Creators who want 4K high-refresh capture without installing a PCIe card
- Streamers on PS5, Xbox Series X or Steam Deck who need HDMI 2.1 passthrough
- Buyers who value Elgato's software and OBS integration
AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro)
The AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra S (GC553Pro) is PC Gamer's outright best overall pick, and it earns that on value. It captures 4K at 60fps with HDR and supports VRR with 1440p144 and 1080p240 passthrough, which TechPowerUp measured without noticeable input lag. What makes it the value winner is the gap to the flagships: it lands around $150 or less, well under the $250 Elgato 4K X, because it uses HDMI 2.0 instead of 2.1. For the streamer who records at 4K60 and never touches a 4K144 monitor, that trade removes cost, not capability.
- Streamers who record at 4K60 and want to spend around $150 rather than $250
- People who do not own a 4K144 monitor and would never use HDMI 2.1 passthrough
- Console gamers who want VRR and high-refresh 1440p and 1080p passthrough on a budget