Best OBS Studio Settings for Streaming and Recording
A clear, battle‑tested setup for Windows PCs. Choose the right encoder, bitrate, and scaling. Start with these defaults and tweak from there.
Key takeaways
- Prefer NVENC (new) on NVIDIA GPUs; otherwise x264 on CPU.
- Use CBR for streaming; start with 6,000 Kbps @ 1080p60 (platform caps may apply).
- Keyframe = 2s; NVENC preset = Quality; x264 = veryfast.
- Scale to 1920×1080 or 1280×720; try 60 FPS for action, 30 FPS for lower bitrates.
- Recording: MKV, NVENC CQP 18–22 or x264 CRF 18–23.
Encoders: NVENC vs x264
Settings → Output → Streaming
- NVENC (new): Best for NVIDIA GPUs. Preset Quality, Profile High, Look‑ahead off (unless bandwidth is tight), Psycho Visual Tuning on.
- x264 (CPU): Preset veryfast. If CPU is strong, try faster. Keep keyframe = 2s.
- AMD AMF / Intel QSV: Similar to NVENC: use quality‑oriented preset and keyframe 2s.
Streaming bitrates (CBR)
| Resolution / FPS | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|
| 1080p60 | ~6,000 Kbps (Twitch cap) to 8–9 Mbps (YouTube) |
| 1080p30 | 4,500–6,000 Kbps |
| 720p60 | 3,000–4,500 Kbps |
| 720p30 | 2,500–3,500 Kbps |
Note: Platforms may enforce caps or recommend ranges. Adjust based on your upload bandwidth and content motion.
Keyframe, preset, profile
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
- NVENC preset: Quality (Performance on low‑end)
- Profile: High
- Rate control: CBR for streaming
- Max B‑frames: 2 (default)
Scaling & FPS
- Base (Canvas): Your monitor/game resolution
- Output (Scaled): 1920×1080 or 1280×720
- Downscale filter: Lanczos (36 samples) or Bicubic
- FPS: 60 for action; 30 for lower bitrates
Audio
- Sample rate: 48 kHz
- Tracks: Use separate tracks for mic and desktop if your platform supports it
- Bitrate (stream): 160–320 Kbps
- Bitrate (VOD): 320 Kbps
Recording (VOD)
- Container: MKV (safer), then Remux to MP4 if needed
- Encoder: NVENC with CQP 18–22 (lower = higher quality)
- x264 alternative: CRF 18–23
- Rate control: CQP/CRF for quality‑based recording
Troubleshooting quick tips
- Stutters or high CPU? Lower x264 preset or switch to NVENC/QSV/AMF.
- Limited upload? Drop resolution to 720p or lower FPS to 30.
- Black screen on Game Capture? See Troubleshooting.
Quick FAQ
Q: What's the best encoder?
A: NVENC (new) on NVIDIA GPUs. Otherwise x264 with a reasonable preset (veryfast).
Q: What bitrate for Twitch?
A: Commonly 6,000 Kbps max for 1080p60; consider 1080p30 or 720p60 if bandwidth is limited.
Q: What keyframe interval?
A: 2 seconds for most platforms.