A Guide To The Best OBS Streaming Settings

As streaming becomes more and more popular over time, all creators have heard of OBS.

Whether you are on Twitch, YouTube or another major platform, using the free Open Broadcasting Software to stream and record your content is essentially the norm. A top choice for many streamers, and easily the most popular software available.

There are many parts that make a stream an engaging and interactive environment to be in. Having professional stream scenes and stream overlay packages for your viewers to see as part of your content, and using stream alerts and emotes as engagement tools are a perfect way to keep the enjoyability of your stream high - but the stream also needs to be seamless and maximum quality for viewers. This is where optimizing your OBS settings come through as a game changer for stream quality.

Before you even get into the nitty gritty of what are the OBS settings for streaming, you need to understand the limitations of your system. The quality of your stream is crucially decided by the hardware you possess on your system - namely your CPU, GPU and internet connection.

CPU

When using a x264 encoder, especially, OBS heavily relies on your CPU. The higher it's capability, the better your quality.

GPU

Offloading your encoding using NVEC or AMF, depending on your graphics card type, can help with CPU load.

Internet Connection

This needs to be stable and strong, and at very minimum 5mbps for 720p. Higher speeds, better connection, equals better quality.

Resolution

Base (Canvas): Set this to your monitor's native resolution.

Output (Scaled): Your stream resolution. For less PC strain and connection strain use 1280x720 for 720p. For higher quality but more strain, use 1920 x 1080 1080p or above.

Downscale Filter

Bicubic: Balanced quality and performance

Lanczos: Best quality but more taxing on your system

FPS Selections

30FPS: Use for Just Chatting or cosy, slower games.

60FPS: High bitrate, better quality, more resources used, but better for fast paced gaming

Some streaming platforms do offer higher FPS, which isn't really necessary. If you do wish to stream at above 60FPS, just be aware of the bitrate and systems needs.

Encoding

x264: CPU Based. Requires a powerful processor and is CPU load based.

Intel Quick Sync: Intel integrated graphics.

Neither is recommended, but will work sufficiently if you do not have a supported GPU.

NVENC: NVIDIA GPU based encoder

AMF: AMD GPU based encoder.

If your GPU is supported, use a GPU encoder. It is much less strenuous on your system, and has minimal impact on performance.

Audio

Rate: 48 kHz is the standard sample rate for Twitch and YouTube that has the highest quality whilst being non-intensive on resources.

Channel: Stereo is the default setting and works best for most streams.

Filters: Noise gate (-26 dB to -32 dB), noise suppressor (default), and compressor (-12dB to -18dB) are all solid choices.

Bitrate: 160 Kbps recommended but can go up to 320 Kbps depending on use. In general 192 - 320 Kbps is higher bandwidth but better quality for podcasts or music.

Network

Bitrate: Dynamically change bitrate should be enabled to keep the stream stable.

Other: Bind to IP should be at default unless you have a separate network system.

Additional Settings

Process Priority: Above Normal or High to put OBS at a higher priority on the system

Encoding will very much depend on which encoder you are using - x264, Intel integrated, AMF or NVEC.

In general, these are the considered settings that fit best, but can be adjusted to your system based on the other hardware and your connection.

It is really important to test each of these before use. Monitor your GPU and CPU load, test your internet connection. It's a symbiotic relationship that will need monitoring to get the most of your hardware and your stream quality.

Bitrate

Dependent on your resolution and framerate. YouTube recommends 4500-9000 Kbps, so keep this in mind.

2160p at 60fps: 20000 - 51000
2160p at 30fps: 13000 - 34000
1440p at 60fps: 13000 - 18000
1440p at 30fps: 6500 - 13000
1080p at 60fps: 6000 -9000
1080p at 30fps: 4500-6000

Rate Control: CBR
Keyframe: 2 seconds
NVENC: Quality or above
x264: Very fast or above
Look ahead: On for NVENC
Psycho Visual Tuning: On for NVENC
Profile: High or above.

Following these settings above with minor tweaks to fit your system and connection, you will find the best settings for YouTube streaming and the best settings for Twitch streaming.

In general, the more powerful your machine is and the stronger connection you have to the internet, the better your stream quality will be. If you have below the recommended settings within this article, it is likely you may still be able to stream but with some issues.

My frames are constantly dropping and/or my stream is lagging?

• Check your upload speed and bandwidth
• Lower your stream bitrate
• Have you enabled Dynamic Bitrate?
• Lower your encoder settings
• Keep background apps at a minimum, if not closed

My stream keeps dropping out, disconnecting and reconnecting.

• Check your internet connection. Turn that router off and on again.
• Use a wired connection
• Change your OBS server
• Reverify your Stream Key
• Lower your bitrate

My stream is blurry or pixelated

• Increase your bitrate
• Adjust output resolution
• Increase your downscale filter
• Raise your encoder settings

My audio is lagging.

• Check Audio Sync offset in the Advanced Audio Properties and adjust
• Reduce your CPU load - lower encoder settings, lower bitrate etc. to offload from your CPU
• Check your drivers are up to date

My audio isn't coming through from a source.

• Check your headset mixer
• Go to Audio in the Settings tab of OBS and confirm that it is set up correctly
• Do the same for Windows

I can't see anything except a black screen

• Check OBS permissions on your system. Run as administrator to do this.
• Game capture = games. Desktop capture = desktop. Check you have the right one.
• Use your GPU settings to check the output for them.
• Disable hardware acceleration in whichever app you are using.

OBS keeps crashing or freezing.

• Make sure all plugins and OBS itself are up to date
• Check antivirus permissions
• Increase RAM virtual memory
• Lower settings for streaming - bitrate, CPU/GPU load settings etc.

I'm getting a warning about high CPU usage.

• Use a lower preset if you are using a CPU based encoder.
• Switch to GPU encoding if you are able to
• Reduce your resolution and frames for your stream recording
• Close those background processes.

And there we are, the best settings for OBS streaming to create a seamless, high quality stream that is perfect viewing material and fits your system.

A quick note: If this settings do not work for you, remember they are entirely system and internet connection dependent. It may be a case of having to tweak them to work, or a system upgrade might be needed to get the desired results.

Check out our OBS Scenes!

CLICK HERE FOR TO SETUP OBS IN 60 SECONDS: THE VIDEO GUIDE

You can also find more information in our Guides.

Well met,

Em

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