What is the "best" way to stream with the lowest input lag?

[uchihascar]

1: 2 PC setup. Gaming PC going through a capture card via passthrough to a 240HZ monitor and to a secondary streaming PC broadcasting with OBS. No additional latency from OBS and minimal latency from the capture card passthrough, but it is unfortunately limited to 240HZ due to capture card technology. Audio latency is also compromised a little bit.

2. 2 PC setup. Gaming PC sends the feed to the streaming PC via display cloning. 540HZ monitor. Slight latency increase from display cloning. Slight audio latency.

3. 1 PC setup with a 540 HZ monitor running OBS. Increase in latency from CPU/GPU usage.

Which is ultimately going to be the best? Or if there's a different option that I have not considered yet please let me know.

[pigzera]

I think with todays GPUs like 4090, you can stream using NVENC and call it a day. I have an ok PC (5700x, 16gb 3600mhz, 4070ti) and can stream CS2 on 1080p60 wih no issues related to input lag or FPS drops, i presume someone with 7800x3D, DDR5 ram, 4090 etc would even feel anything at all.

[daviddave1]

1: 2 PC setup. Gaming PC going through a capture card via passthrough to a 240HZ monitor and to a secondary streaming PC broadcasting with OBS. No additional latency from OBS and minimal latency from the capture card passthrough, but it is unfortunately limited to 240HZ due to capture card technology. Audio latency is also compromised a little bit.

2. 2 PC setup. Gaming PC sends the feed to the streaming PC via display cloning. 540HZ monitor. Slight latency increase from display cloning. Slight audio latency.

3. 1 PC setup with a 540 HZ monitor running OBS. Increase in latency from CPU/GPU usage.

Which is ultimately going to be the best? Or if there's a different option that I have not considered yet please let me know.

For 1080P a Two PC setup is best, Don't use cloning it tears screen in stream. Use Fullscreen Projector Mode . I tried NDI dualPC but its not good quality. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYjP2u8 ... el=FR33THY how to set Fullscreen Projector Mode up with a dual PC. ignore the NDI part. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCp1AYI ... el=FR33THY for more info about inputlag dual pc 1080p 1440p and 4k.
Best is 540hz 1080P HDMI 2.1 / DP 1.4 passthrough but there is no such card. max passthrough is 1080P 360hz with Avermedia latest 2.1 HDMI capture card.