Game streaming is the current trend with gamers using cloud-based streaming platforms such as Google Stadia and Microsoft xCloud or their resident storage with installed game content accessible from anywhere. AMD offers its Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 to let you stream the games you want in a more simplistic interface and setup while giving you authority over your content and how you use it. It is a one-stop solution for game streaming (i.e. PC gaming on the go) and the latest software version brings better performance and better integration for your needs. The new version is also easier to install and use and also has a built-in dedicated control region for your flow controls.
AMD Radeon Adrenalin succeeds its predecessor, AMD Radeon ReLive, by offering easier setup and a more seamless user interface. The two are interchangeable in terms of functionality and the latter is still used by many as well. The Adrenalin 2020, however, is the latest version of AMD Radeon and it’s the one we recommend you use for your game streaming activities. Previously, when it came to using the AMD Radeon to stream games, the setup was only useful for those who were sitting in the same locality and connected to the same WiFi as the host PC. If you were sitting in another room or on your bed and wanted to log into your gaming activity without having to sit in front of your PC, this setup did the trick. Recently, however, with the latest version of the application, AMD Radeon has enabled game streaming from anywhere as long as the host PC has a live internet connection. Before we dive in, check out these AMD RX 5600 XT GPUs we’ve reviewed here if you’re looking to upgrade your old GPU.
Become a streamer: let’s dive in!
- Download and install the app from the manufacturer website. Install as an administrator by right-clicking and running the installer with administrator privileges. Follow this till the end.
- Press Alt + R on your desktop screen. You can also right-click and click AMD Radeon Software to launch it.
- Go to the Streaming menu and select the service you want to use. It will ask you to log in and choose your region as well.
- There are two types of broadcast you can do. It can be regional where you choose which part of your screen to stream. It can also be your entire desktop, which means everything that happens on it will be visible. Usually streaming is full screen and this is the default setting, so you won’t have to change anything here.
- You can launch your game and then press the keyboard shortcut Alt + R to launch the full-screen overlay. You can enable or disable your camera and microphone from here.
- When you’re ready, hit “Go Live” and you’ll be on air ready to stream to the public. There’s also built-in chat so you can hear viewers.
Technical details: bitrates, frame rates and bandwidths
The host computer will play to the computer’s resident resolution, but the resolution streamed depends on the settings you have configured in your application. Some general guidelines are as follows. Be aware that a lower resolution at a higher bitrate is more appealing to viewers than a higher resolution at a lower bitrate.
- For around 5 Mbps download, use 720p – 60 FPS – 3500 kbps
- For around 10 Mbps download, use 900p – 60 FPS – 6000 kbps OR 1080p – 60 FPS – 6000 kbps
Final Thoughts
One of the advantages of this application is that all your games are launched from a single platform and not through their own individual launchers. As mentioned above, the configuration and installation steps are also quite easy to follow to do this. Putting aside the app itself, your gaming experience will only be as good as your internet connectivity and bandwidth. This is the case for most online games anyway. The benefit of setting up the AMD Radeon Adrenalin 2020 and using it to stream your games is that you won’t have to make multiple purchases of the same game for the cloud and your local device. You will only need to have it on your host PC and you can get rid of it from virtually anywhere as long as your PC is connected to the internet.
