Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card vs AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)

Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card vs AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.

Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card
Loya Ark
Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card
$45
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
AVerMedia
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
$299.99

The Ruling

Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card or AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)? Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2).

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is the pricier of the two at $299.99, so the Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card stays the pick if $254.99 matters more than those specs.

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At a Glance

Where each one actually leads

Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.

CategoryLoya Ark Streaming Capture CardAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Capture Quality2.5/1010/10
Passthrough7/1010/10
Value10/101.5/10

The Split

What each one wins

Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card

Plug-and-play HDMI capture interface designed for creator and broadcast starter kits.

It gives up capture resolution and passthrough resolution to the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2). It is the cheaper of the two, by $254.99.

Leads on

  • Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.

AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)

HDMI 2.1 external capture card with high-refresh passthrough for next-gen gaming workflows.

On paper the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) takes capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)) and passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. That costs $254.99 more than the Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card.

Leads on

  • Capture Resolution
    4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)
    1080p60
  • Passthrough Resolution
    Up to 4K144
    4K60

The Record

14 specs, grouped by area

Full specification comparison of Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card and AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2), grouped by area.
Specification
Loya Ark
Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card
AVerMedia
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Capture QualityAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Capture Resolution1080p60✓ 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)
Resolutionno datano data
PassthroughAVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)
Passthrough Resolution4K60✓ Up to 4K144
MotionNot enough data
Refresh Rateno datano data
Audio ResolutionNot enough data
Max Sample Rateno datano data
Mic InputsNot enough data
XLR Inputsno datano data
ConnectivityNot enough data
HDMI Portsno datano data
Connection Typeusb-a, hdmiusb-c, hdmi
PowerNot enough data
Power Requirementno datano data
Phantom Powerno datano data
CompatibilityNot enough data
Operating Systemno datano data
Other specsNot enough data
Audio Supportno data5.1 channel passthrough/capture support
Pcie Slotsno datano data
Interfaceno datano data

A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.

Bottom Line

Who each one is for

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.

The alternative

At $45.00, the Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card is the most affordable option — 85% less than the priciest pick. It trades raw specs for a simpler, more focused experience. Covers the essentials without stretching your budget.

  • + Exclusive connectivity: USB-A
  • × Weaker capture resolution (1080p60 vs 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac))
  • × Weaker passthrough resolution (4K60 vs Up to 4K144)

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ Budget is your top priority — $254.99 less than the priciest option
  • ✓ You want something that works right out of the box

Look elsewhere if

  • × You want 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) or higher capture quality
  • × You want Up to 4K144 or higher capture quality

Best for budget-conscious creators.

Our pick
Best ValuePremium Pick

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) is the priciest at $299.99, but leads on specs where it counts. It leads in capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)) and passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144). Offers the most spec advantages per dollar in this comparison.

  • + Better capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) vs 1080p60)
  • + Better passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144 vs 4K60)
  • + Exclusive connectivity: USB-C

Also worth knowing

  • ✓ You want 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) capture quality
  • ✓ You want Up to 4K144 capture quality
  • ✓ You want USB-C for a modern, reversible connector

Best for value-focused buyers, professionals who want the best, 4k144 (mjpeg via streaming center) / 4k60 (obs mac) content creators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card and AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)?

The largest gap is capture resolution, where the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) leads — 4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac) against 1080p60. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. Two capture cards from Loya Ark and AVerMedia, each taking a different approach to video quality and latency.

Which is better for streaming, Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card or AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2)?

Get the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2). The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) wins Capture Quality and Passthrough. It is the pricier of the two at $299.99, so the Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card stays the pick if $254.99 matters more than those specs.

Is the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) worth the extra $255 over the Loya Ark Streaming Capture Card?

The AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) costs $299.99 against $45.00, a difference of $255. The premium buys capture resolution (4K144 (MJPEG via Streaming Center) / 4K60 (OBS Mac)) and passthrough resolution (Up to 4K144). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.

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