Playing video games is easily up there as one the most enjoyable pastimes – engaging, relaxing and dynamic. Sure, there might be a little bias here, but there’s nothing quite like diving into a trip to Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or frantically avoiding the blue shell in Mario Kart World. Those moments shouldn’t just be confined to your memories, but rather as videos or streams. Share the wins and losses with the wider world!
The latest and greatest video game consoles do have the option to capture footage out the box. Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 players can store up to an hour of footage, whereas Nintendo Switch 2 players can nab the last thirty seconds as ad-hoc highlight reels.
For longer sessions and the flexibility of having gameplay saved directly on a PC or laptop, that’s where the nifty Elgato Game Capture 4K X comes into play. Is this model worth investing in as someone new to the capture card scene or as an upgrade for those already versed in gameplay recording?
The Elgato Game Capture 4K X and its younger sibling, the 4K S, are designed to record gameplay from a wide array of systems that output via HDMI cables. Both live up to their namesake 4K capture resolution, with the 4K X model capable of pushing the technical envelope further with higher maximum framerates and HDR capture at certain resolution combinations, too.
All this swanky capture technology is housed within a unit that’s surprisingly small and sleek in form factor. Gone are the days of clunky boxes with hefty power supplies. The Elgato line simply connects via a USB-C cable that provides both power and data transfer of all your gameplay moments. The 4K X sits within a lightweight plastic enclosure with soft matte-black finish, sitting nicely alongside contemporary consoles or blending in seamlessly within a desktop space. The case is finger-print prone, but given the card is unlikely to be moved about too often, it’s not a cause for concern.
To make the game capture magic happen, the 4K X includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, LED status light and a handy 3.5mm line-in port for additional audio. A secondary HDMI output isn’t too common on capture cards, so having the output, like the previous HD60 line-of cards, is a welcome continuity.
This output port allows for optional, but highly recommended, connectivity to a TV or second monitor for pixel-perfect, lag-free passthrough. It means that players can record or stream gameplay, all whilst outputting the original footage directly to a separate screen. On testing, it works perfectly. The 4K X line supports up to a maximum 2160p144 passthrough, with the 4K S model capped at a still impressive 2160p60.
Cards that don’t have an HDMI output can use an HDMI splitter to push gameplay to multiple screens, but having everything within a single package is a plus.
Capture functionality is arguably more important – and here, the 4K X delivers in spades. Compared to some cards on the market, including Elgato’s older range, the 4K series supports plug-and-play. Providing the correct USB port is used to deliver enough power, the card just works. It appears as a video input source on your computer, ready to start recording or streaming. No manual drivers or the usual “turn it on and off again” headaches.
The 4K X hits a lot of the high notes, supporting a maximum 2160p144 capture, with HDR support at slightly lower combinations – for example 2160p30 or 1440p60. During testing, a significant amount of motion and frames were thrown at the card to try to simulate an average, slightly chaotic stream. The card delivered in spades, with flicker-free, stable performance without any noticeable hiccups.
Performance, however, will be limited by factors outside the capture card hardware itself. Given the high volume of data, the 4K X does require faster USB speeds to reach its full potential – something worth considering before purchase. Resolutions or framerates may need to be limited for those without the recommended spec PCs or laptops.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 joining the family of consoles that can output at a 4K resolution, the Elgato Game Capture 4K X can gobble up a significant amount of footage for longer sessions. It outpaces the in-built 30 second clips (which do have benefits) and gives Switch 2 and original Switch owners the flexibility to showcase more gameplay.
Those who may not need all the top-end specs could opt for the similar 4K S model, which captures up to 4k60 and has support for HDR in certain 1080p configurations, too. It’s a great alternative option to the 4K X for those on a budget or casual creators.
