MyStreamSetup.Separate the display passthrough path from the video that reaches your computer. The current family covers different console, camera and desktop jobs.
Game Capture Neo is a candidate for a 1080p60 capture path while passing 4K60 HDR to a display. Those are separate outputs.
4K S belongs in a USB console route when its exact capture and display modes cover your output. Check its mode table before preserving high refresh or HDR.
4K X is the fast USB option. Full performance needs a 10 Gbps connection; a 5 Gbps host limits the capture modes.
4K Pro uses a PCIe x4 desktop slot. It is not a USB substitute for a laptop and is incompatible with the documented macOS path.
Cam Link 4K is for a suitable HDMI camera. Confirm a clean feed, continuous runtime and powered operation; it does not provide the game-display passthrough route.
A capture card is not the default same-PC performance upgrade. Try an appropriate OBS game source and encoder configuration before adding a hardware loop.
5 models. Compare the connections and modes your setup needs, then read the profile for cables, mounts and limitations.
| Decision field | Elgato Game Capture Neo | Elgato Game Capture 4K S | Elgato Game Capture 4K X | Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro | Elgato Cam Link 4K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capture | 1080p / 60 fps* | 4K / 60 fps* | 4K / 144 fps* | 4K / 60 fps* | 4K / 30 fps* |
| Passthrough | 4K / 60 fps | 4K / 60 fps | 4K / 144 fps | 4320p / 60 fps | None documented |
| Host USB speed (Gbps) | 5 | 5 | 10 | Not confirmed | 5 |
| Connection | HDMI; USB | HDMI; USB | HDMI; USB | HDMI; PCIe x4 | HDMI; USB |
| Host OS | Windows 10 64-bit+; macOS 12+; iPadOS 17+ | Windows 11+; macOS 14.2+; iPadOS 18 USB-C+ | Windows 10 64-bit+; macOS 11+; iPadOS 17+ | Windows 10 64-bit+ | Windows 10 64-bit+; macOS 13+; iPadOS 17+ |
| Video input | HDMI unencrypted | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI unencrypted |
| Video output | HDMI passthrough; USB capture | HDMI passthrough | HDMI passthrough | HDMI passthrough | USB capture only |
| HDR | 4K60 HDR passthrough; SDR capture | Not confirmed | OS and mode dependent | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| VRR | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Passthrough; exact mode must be checked | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| HDCP | Unencrypted input only | Unencrypted input only | Unencrypted input only | Unencrypted input only | Unencrypted input only |
| Included parts | Game Capture Neo; USB 3.0 USB-C to USB-A cable, 100 cm | Game Capture 4K S; USB-C to USB-C cable (150 cm); HDMI 2.0 cable (150 cm) | Game Capture 4K X; USB 3.2 C-to-C cable (150 cm); 8K HDMI cable (200 cm) | Game Capture 4K Pro; 8K HDMI cable (200 cm) | Cam Link 4K; USB 3.0 A-to-C extension (30 cm), current revision |
| Main check | Use its HDMI output for a 4K60 HDR gaming display and its USB output for up to 1080p60 capture. Choose another card if the recorded stream must be 4K. | Select a listed capture mode and a separate listed display mode. If HDR or high refresh is essential, match both exact modes before choosing this card. | Use a 10 Gbps USB connection for the full mode set. On a 5 Gbps port, choose one of the reduced capture modes or a different host connection before buying for high resolution. | Use a supported Windows desktop with a suitable PCIe x4 slot. Choose a USB capture device for a Mac or a laptop without an accessible compatible slot. | There is no HDMI display output. Identify the unit’s revision before planning 4K frame rates, then test clean HDMI and continuous camera power; use a passthrough card for a separate gaming display. |
*A maximum mode is conditional on software, host bandwidth and color format. Resolution, HDR and frame-rate maxima must not be combined without the exact mode matrix.
Elgato Game Capture Neo
Use its HDMI output for a 4K60 HDR gaming display and its USB output for up to 1080p60 capture. Choose another card if the recorded stream must be 4K.
Connections & full profile →Check price on Amazon ↗Elgato Game Capture 4K S
Select a listed capture mode and a separate listed display mode. If HDR or high refresh is essential, match both exact modes before choosing this card.
Connections & full profile →Check price on Amazon ↗Elgato Game Capture 4K X
Use a 10 Gbps USB connection for the full mode set. On a 5 Gbps port, choose one of the reduced capture modes or a different host connection before buying for high resolution.
Connections & full profile →Check price on Amazon ↗Elgato Game Capture 4K Pro
Use a supported Windows desktop with a suitable PCIe x4 slot. Choose a USB capture device for a Mac or a laptop without an accessible compatible slot.
Connections & full profile →Check price on Amazon ↗Elgato Cam Link 4K
There is no HDMI display output. Identify the unit’s revision before planning 4K frame rates, then test clean HDMI and continuous camera power; use a passthrough card for a separate gaming display.
Connections & full profile →Check price on Amazon ↗Current recommendations and owned legacy products answer different questions. An older device can remain useful in a documented, tested setup. It is kept in the owned-gear builder, while this table uses the current catalog. Colorways are not separate recommendations, and a new generation does not inherit the previous model’s exact requirements.
For a complete connection plan, open the camera capture checker. The result should resolve the missing port, route or capability before it sends you to a merchant.