Streamlabs OBS (v.1 and newer)

Streamlabs OBS is widely used for live streaming, leveraging GPU acceleration for encoding to reduce CPU usage and improve streaming quality. By using NVENC, a hardware-accelerated encoder from NVIDIA, users can offload video encoding to the GPU, allowing for smoother streaming and higher video quality, even on systems running demanding games.

How to Enable GPU-Accelerated Encoding in Streamlabs OBS

1. Launch Streamlabs OBS
   Open from the default path:
   C:\Program Files\Streamlabs OBS\Streamlabs OBS.exe

2. Configure GPU Encoding

   

   • Click the Settings cog at the bottom left of the screen.

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

   • Under Streaming, set Encoder to NVIDIA NVENC H.264 (new).

   • Set the following options for optimal GPU performance:

     • Psycho Visual Tuning: ON

     • Look Ahead: ON

     • B-Frames: 3

     • Rate Control: CBR (Constant Bitrate)

     • Preset: Quality

     • Profile: High

These settings will allow Streamlabs OBS to offload encoding tasks to your NVIDIA GPU, improving overall system performance during streaming.

Top Tips to Speed Up Streamlabs OBS

1. Update GPU Drivers
   Make sure your NVIDIA drivers are up to date to ensure the latest optimizations for encoding. New drivers can improve performance and fix issues related to video encoding and streaming.

2. Optimize Resolution and Bitrate
   Lower your output resolution to 720p if your system struggles with 1080p. This reduces GPU load and improves streaming stability. Additionally, enable Dynamic Bitrate, which automatically adjusts the bitrate based on your internet connection to avoid frame drops.

3. Use GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
   Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS) can reduce latency in some cases. However, it's essential to test your system, as HAGS can sometimes cause issues with OBS. If performance degrades, try disabling HAGS for better stability.

4. Adjust Game Settings
   When gaming, lower in-game graphical settings to reduce the GPU load, freeing more resources for encoding. Keeping the game's frame rate consistent can also reduce strain on the encoder, ensuring smoother streams.

Top Recommended GPUs for Streamlabs OBS

1. NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
   A great mid-range option, the RTX 3060 Ti handles GPU encoding efficiently and can stream high-quality 1080p at 60 fps with ease, making it ideal for most streamers.

2. NVIDIA RTX 3080
   This high-end card provides excellent performance for GPU-accelerated streaming and gaming at 4K resolution. It's perfect for those looking to stream demanding games while maintaining smooth performance.

3. NVIDIA RTX 4090
   For professional streamers who need top-tier performance, the RTX 4090 delivers unmatched power, allowing for 4K streaming with minimal impact on game performance, even with complex visual effects.

By following these tips and selecting the right GPU, you can maximize your Streamlabs OBS performance, ensuring high-quality streams with minimal interruptions.

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