Elgato 4K X vs AverMedia GC573: picking a capture card for 2PC

Both cards do the same job for a 2PC aimbot setup: carry your Valorant display from gaming PC to AI PC with zero visible latency. The difference is how they physically mount and plug in.

Elgato 4K X (external USB-C)

External box the size of a deck of cards. Plugs into your AI PC via USB-C. HDMI in from the gaming PC, HDMI passthrough out to your monitor.

Pros

• No case open, no PCIe slot needed
• Works with laptops as the AI PC
• Plug and play, no firmware or drivers beyond Elgato's installer
• Portable if you ever need to move the setup

Cons

• Needs a USB-C port with enough bandwidth (USB 3.1 Gen 2 / USB 3.2 Gen 2 minimum)
• €250 to €300 depending on region
• Another box on the desk

AverMedia GC573 (internal PCIe)

PCIe card that slots into your AI PC's motherboard. HDMI in from the gaming PC, HDMI passthrough out to your monitor.

Pros

• €130 to €180, roughly half the Elgato price
• Zero USB bandwidth consumed
• Completely hidden inside the case

Cons

• Requires a free PCIe x4 slot on the AI PC
• Desktop only, no laptop option
• Installation means opening the case
• Drivers are historically flaky on Windows 11, check current reviews before buying

Which one to buy

Simple rules:

• AI PC is a laptop: Elgato 4K X
• AI PC is a desktop, you want cheap: AverMedia GC573
• AI PC is a desktop, you want easy: Elgato 4K X

Both support 1080p240 passthrough. Both have zero visible latency (under 5ms frame delay, measured). For the aimbot use case they're equivalent once the video is reaching the AI.

What about other capture cards?

• Elgato 4K60 Pro (PCIe): works fine, older but still reliable
• No-name Chinese capture cards (HDMI-to-USB): often downscale to 720p60 internally even when the listing claims 1080p. Avoid, the AI needs the full resolution and framerate to detect enemies reliably.
• OBS virtual camera or software capture: not a capture card. Doesn't work for 2PC because it requires software on the gaming PC, which defeats the whole point.

Stick to Elgato 4K X or AverMedia GC573. Other options exist but the compatibility matrix gets painful fast.