Hikaru Nakamura Streaming Setup

Hikaru Nakamura Streaming Setup

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He is a five-time U.S. champion, claiming the title in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2019. Nakamura was also a participant in FIDE’s 2004 World Championship tournament and a candidate for the world championship in both 2016 and 2022, qualifying for a third in 2024. He was also the 2022 Fischer Random World Champion.

About This Setup

Trying to pin down Hikaru Nakamura’s streaming setup as of 2025 is a bit of a challenge he hasn’t published an official gear list, and his setup has changed over the years. Still, based on what’s visible in his streams, interviews, and what’s been discussed on platforms like Reddit and YouTube, here’s my best guess at what the world’s most popular chess streamer is using right now. For the most current info, it’s always worth checking his Twitch channel or recent YouTube appearances.

Microphone

From his own comments during a TSM facility tour, Hikaru mentions using the same microphone at both his home and the TSM studio, with only the audio interface being slightly different. While he doesn’t name the exact model, the audio quality and the fact that he references a “Focusrite” interface suggest he’s likely using a Shure SM7B dynamic microphone—a favorite among top streamers and podcasters. The “Focusrite” he mentions is almost certainly a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, which is commonly paired with the SM7B.

Camera

Hikaru’s streams are known for their sharp, well-lit video. While he hasn’t confirmed the exact camera, the quality points to a mirrorless or DSLR camera, likely a Sony Alpha a6400 or a Logitech Brio 4K webcam, both of which are popular with high-profile streamers. In a YouTube office tour, the camera is visible but not clearly labeled.

Headset

There’s no direct confirmation of his headset model in recent videos. However, in past streams and interviews, Hikaru has been seen using Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones and sometimes HyperX Cloud II for gaming and commentary. Both are comfortable for long sessions and offer solid audio quality.

Keyboard & Mouse

Hikaru’s setup is described as “pretty straightforward” in his office tour. He’s been spotted using a Logitech G Pro X Mechanical Keyboard and a Logitech G Pro Wireless mouse, which are popular among both gamers and chess streamers for their reliability and feel.

Monitors

He typically uses a dual-monitor setup, as seen in his TSM facility tour and office videos. While the exact models aren’t specified, they appear to be 24–27 inch high-refresh-rate displays, likely from ASUS or Dell.  Here is an Asus Tuf Gaming 27 inch monitor comparable to what he has or close to it, if not exactly, though I would take this with a grain of salt

PC/Computer

Hikaru’s streaming and chess prep require serious computing power. According to a Reddit discussion, he has mentioned building a “$20k supercomputer” for deep chess engine analysis (distinct from his streaming PC). We won’t get into that computer, but his normal PC, for streaming, it’s likely he uses a high-end desktop with specs such as:

For chess analysis, his “supercomputer” reportedly features multi-core CPUs (possibly Threadripper or EPYC) and multiple high-end GPUs, but these are used off-stream for engine prep.

Software

Hikaru uses OBS Studio for streaming, as he mentions in his office tour, and Streamlabs for managing alerts and overlays.

All of this is my best guess based on what’s visible and discussed publicly—Hikaru may change up his gear at any time. For the latest, check his Twitch streams or YouTube channel, where new gear sometimes makes an appearance. Amazon links above are for equivalent models where exact details aren’t confirmed.

Disclaimer:

The equipment information provided is based on research, observations, and reasonable assumptions. Streamers frequently update their setups, and some details may change over time. In the tabs you will see prices for each item, but it is not guaranteed to be the most current or accurate. Please refer to the link to the product page for the most up-to-date information. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.