Recording games on PC is essential for sharing gameplay and creating content. This article discusses the top 6 effective tools to record gameplay, like CapCut, OBS Studio, Radeon ReLive, Bandicam, Xbox Game Bar, and MSI Afterburner. We will also briefly compare these tools based on video resolution and built-in editing tools. Finally, we will discuss the top tips to create professional-level gameplay recordings.
Note: We respect the rights of all gamers. Screen recording should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as personal learning, educational presentations, or authorized projects. Please do not record copyrighted content (e.g., movies, music) for commercial use or unauthorized distribution.
Can you record gameplay on a PC
Yes, users can record gameplay on PC using built-in tools like CapCut, OBS Studio, and Bandicam. Game recording is quite beneficial as it allows the players to share epic moments, improve their skills, and create content for social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. It also helps with troubleshooting issues and creating tutorials. Furthermore, recording games allows other gamers to refine their techniques for better gameplay.
So, recording gameplay has several benefits for gamers and content creators. There are several tools for recording games, like CapCut, OBS Studio, Bandicam, and MSI Afterburner. So, keep on reading.
Record your gameplay on PC: 6 effective recorders
CapCut
CapCut is versatile video editing software that allows you to record games, making it perfect for content creators and casual gamers. It features a built-in recording tool with adjustable FPS, allowing you to create high-quality recordings. You can further edit the recorded video using CapCut's advanced editing features, such as transitions, filters, effects, and animations, and AI-powered features, such as auto-captions, voice changers, and transcripts.
Download CapCut today and use its recording and editing features to make high-quality gaming videos.
- CapCut features a built-in screen recorder to capture clear video and audio.
- It will automatically recommend related functions to polish your recording, such as recommending auto-captions for your gameplay video in which contains speaking.
- Easily trim, cut, add video transitions, and visual effects to enhance recording.
- AI features help polish the game recording, including the auto-captions, transcripts, and voice changer.
- Advanced features require an internet connection.
Steps for screen recording gameplay
- STEP 1
- Start the screen recording
First, open CapCut and click the "Screen recorder" option on the homepage. Next, select the recording area and click the recording button to start recording your gameplay. Once done, click the recording button again to stop the recording.
- STEP 2
- Edit your recording (Optional)
Once the video is recorded, you will have two options: "Download" or "Edit more." Choose the editing options to enhance the gameplay recording. You can use the auto caption feature to generate captions for the game player. To protect the players' privacy, you can also use the voice changer to change the speaking voice.
- STEP 3
- Export the video
Once you've finished, click "Export" in the top-right corner and select your format and desired resolution. CapCut supports multiple video formats, such as MP4, MOV, FLAC, and AAC. Finally, click "Export" to save the video to your PC.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a powerful open-source tool for live streaming and recording games. It features advanced customization options, multi-source recording, and real-time audio mixing, making it attractive to streamers. Unlike basic screen recorders, OBS allows live streaming and users to create dynamic overlays, use virtual cameras, and modify the bitrate settings for optimal performance.
- OBS Studio records unlimited high-resolution gameplay without restrictions or watermarks.
- Stream simultaneously on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch without third-party tools.
- Users can create multiple scenes with different layouts, overlay elements, and transitions.
- OBS Studio lacks advanced recording editing features.
Radeon ReLive
Radeon ReLive is AMD's built-in recording and streaming software, especially for Radeon GPU users. It allows efficient gameplay capture with minimal performance impact, making it perfect for live streamings and high-quality recordings. With GPU-accelerated encoding and intuitive settings, it provides smooth gameplay recording without requiring extra software.
- Radeon ReLive uses AMD's hardware to record gameplay with minimum FPS drop.
- The tool automatically saves the recent gameplay without manual recording.
- The tool supports 4K game recording.
- The software only works with Radeon graphic cards, excluding the NVIDI users.
Bandicam
Bandicam is a lightweight screen recording software designed to capture high-quality gameplay on PC. It uses advanced compression technology to record high-quality videos like 4K while maintaining small file sizes. The tool features customizable recording modes, making it perfect for gamers who want smooth and lag-free recordings.
- Bandicam captures smooth gameplay while keeping a manageable file size.
- The software lets users add annotations, highlights, and mouse effects while recording.
- It supports NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD for efficient performance.
- The free version has a 10-minute recording limit with a watermark.
Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar is a built-in recording tool in Windows designed to capture high-quality gameplay. It offers a smooth recording experience without external software, making it perfect for casual gamers. It features an overlay interface, allowing users to quickly take screenshots, monitor system performance, and take screenshots without leaving the game.
- The tool comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, eliminating setup hassle.
- Xbox Game Bar allows instant recording, audio control, and system monitoring without leaving the game.
- It features customizable overlays for tracking performance while recording.
- The tool lacks advanced codec selection, bitrate, and multi-source recording settings.
MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is a powerful overclocking utility designed for GPU tuning. It also features a built-in recording feature, making it ideal for gamers who want to record games without installing additional software. Its lightweight design produces minimum performance impact, making it perfect for high FPS recording.
- MSI Afterburner ensures smooth recording without considerable FPS drop.
- Customizable hotkeys allow quick recording during gameplay.
- There is no recording limit, making it suitable for long gaming sessions.
- It has a complex setup for beginners.
Which recorder you should choose - A brief comparison
Tips for recording gameplay like a pro
- Use high-quality settings: Set your recording resolution to 2K or 4K for clear visuals. Adjust the frame rate and bitrate for smooth gameplay. CapCut's built-in recording feature allows you to record smooth gameplay with optimal settings and export in up to 4K resolution.
- Record separate audio tracks: For better editing tools, capture the game sounds and audio on different tracks. You can also use CapCut's audio extraction feature to extract and edit audio separately. For clearer audio, use CapCut's AI-powered voice features, such as voice changer, voice enhancement, and noise reduction.
- Use shortcuts for quick recording: Set up hotkeys to instantly start and stop recordings without interruptions, ensuring you don't miss any key moments. You can quickly start recording by entering "Ctrl+Alt+P" in CapCut.
- Edit and enhance your gameplay video: Add captions, transitions, filters, and slow-motion effects to make your recorded video more engaging. CapCut allows you to generate captions for the screen recording or convert the text to speech for easy understanding.
Conclusion
Recording games on PC allows you to capture epic moments and create engaging content. This article discussed the top 6 tools to record games, like CapCut, OBS Studio, Radeon ReLive, Bandicam, Windows Game Bar, and MSI Afterburner. All these tools offer unique features for smooth gameplay recording. Following expert tips, like high-quality settings, recording separate audio tracks, and editing the recorded video, leads to better online visibility. CapCut is the best tool for recording gameplay, as it offers high-quality recording and built-in advanced editing features, including auto-captions, beauty, and text-to-speech. Get CapCut today and start recording and creating professional-level gaming videos.
FAQs
- 1
- Does screen recording affect the game performance?
Yes, screen recording can affect game performance, especially on lower-end PCs. It consumes CPU, RAM, and GPU, causing lags and frame drops. For best performance, use hardware acceleration and a lower bitrate. Recording on a second drive also reduces the performance impact. Tools like CapCut offer efficient recording and editing with minimal resource usage for smooth gameplay.
- 2
- How can I capture gameplay on PC in 1080p or 4K without frame drops?
To record in 1080p or 4K without frame drops, use a high-performance GPU and enable hardware encoding. Adjust the settings, such as frame rate, bitrate, and CODEC, for optimal balance. You should also close unnecessary background applications to free up system resources.
- 3
- How to record games on my laptop without overheating issues?
Overheating mainly occurs due to the high CPU and GPU usage during recording. To maintain optimal temperatures, ensure proper ventilation and use a cooling pad. Lower the in-game settings and recording resolution to reduce heat buildup when recording games. Tools like CapCut offer customizable bitrate and FPS settings, causing minimal system strain and stable performance.