OBS Studio (v.26 and newer)

OBS Studio is widely used for streaming and recording content, and enabling GPU-accelerated encoding can offload processing tasks from the CPU to the GPU, resulting in smoother performance during live streams or recordings. Using NVIDIA's NVENC technology provides better stream quality and reduces system load.

How to Enable GPU-Accelerated Encoding in OBS

1. Launch OBS Studio
   Open OBS from the default path:
   C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe

2. Enable GPU-Accelerated Encoding (NVENC)

   • Click the Settings button at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

   • Go to the Output tab, and under Output Mode, select Advanced.

   • In the Streaming tab:

     • Set Encoder to Hardware (NVENC).

     • Enable Psycho Visual Tuning and Look-ahead.

     • Set Max B-Frames to 3.

     • Other settings can be left as default, such as CBR for Rate Control, and Quality for the preset.

   • For Recording:

     • Set Encoder to NVIDIA NVENC H.264 (new).

     • Enable Psycho Visual Tuning and Look-ahead, and set Max B-Frames to 3.

     • Leave other settings like Rate Control: CQP and Quality Profile as default.

These settings optimize OBS to use your GPU for smoother streams and recordings, improving efficiency and output quality.

Top Tips to Speed Up OBS Performance

1. Use the NVENC Encoder
   NVENC is superior for streaming and recording because it uses the GPU to handle video encoding, leaving the CPU to focus on other tasks. For most users with NVIDIA GPUs, this results in better quality and faster performance, particularly during fast-paced gameplay.

2. Optimize Bitrate and Resolution
   For Twitch, streaming at 1080p with a bitrate of around 6000 Kbps is ideal, but you may reduce this to 720p or 936p if your internet connection is slower. Always ensure your bitrate is suitable for your upload speed to avoid frame drops.

3. Set the Correct Presets
   When using NVENC, set the preset to Quality or Max Quality depending on your GPU’s capabilities. These presets ensure smooth streaming while maintaining high video quality. Lower the preset to Performance if you’re experiencing lags or dropped frames.

4. Use an SSD for Recordings
   If you’re recording content locally, store files on an SSD to avoid bottlenecks when saving high-resolution footage, ensuring faster write speeds and smoother performance.

OBS Studio System Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Operating System:

  • Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11.

  • macOS: macOS 11 ("Big Sur") or later.

  • Linux/Unix: OpenGL 3.3-compatible GPU and X Window System or Wayland.

• Processor: Intel i5 2500K or AMD Ryzen 1300X.

• RAM: 4 GB.

• Graphics Card: DirectX 10.1 compatible GPU.

Recommended Specifications:

• Processor: Intel i7 8700K or AMD Ryzen 1600X.

• RAM: 8 GB.

• Graphics Card: DirectX 11 compatible GPU.

Meeting these specifications will help you get the most out of OBS Studio, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality outputs. Keep in mind that more complex projects, especially those involving high-resolution recordings or extensive streaming, will benefit from higher-end hardware configurations.

Top Recommended GPUs for OBS Studio

1. NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
   This GPU provides excellent performance for streaming and recording using NVENC. It handles 1080p and 1440p streams efficiently, making it a great choice for mid-range setups.

2. NVIDIA RTX 4070
   With improved encoding features, the RTX 4070 is perfect for those who want to stream at higher resolutions (4K or 1440p) with exceptional quality and low system strain.

3. NVIDIA RTX 4090
   For professional streamers looking for the best quality, the RTX 4090 offers cutting-edge encoding performance, supporting AV1 encoding for even better quality at lower bitrates.

By leveraging GPU-accelerated encoding with the right settings, you can achieve smoother, higher-quality streams with minimal impact on your system’s performance.

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