OBS maxes out my CPU — what can I do?

Switch to a hardware encoder (NVENC/QSV/AMF), lower the x264 preset, reduce output resolution to 720p or 540p, set FPS to 30, and close background apps and overlays.

Best settings for an older iGPU or 4 GB RAM?

Try 960×540 @ 30 FPS, 2,500–3,500 Kbps CBR for streaming. Keep scenes simple, avoid heavy browser sources, and record with CQP/CRF instead of very high bitrates.

Is NVENC better than x264 on low‑end PCs?

If you have a supported NVIDIA GPU, NVENC (new) offloads encoding to the GPU and usually gives smoother performance than x264 on weak CPUs.

OBS Studio for Low‑End PCs: Performance & Encoding Tips (Windows)

Windows 10/11 (64‑bit) • Low‑spec optimization

Performance & Encoding Tips for Low‑End PCs

These lightweight settings help keep OBS responsive and your streams watchable on older or low‑spec Windows machines.

Download OBS Studio (Windows x64) Best Settings Troubleshooting

Lightweight streaming preset

Encoder: NVENC (new) / QSV / AMF; fallback: x264 superfast.
Rate control: CBR • Bitrate: 2,500–4,500 Kbps.
Output (Scaled): 1280×720 (or 960×540 if needed).
FPS: 30. Try 48 only if stable.
Keyframe: 2s • Preset: Performance.

Low‑impact recording preset

Container: MKV • Remux to MP4 if required.
Encoder: NVENC CQP 20–24 (higher = smaller files).
x264: CRF 20–24 with superfast preset.
Resolution/FPS: Match streaming preset to save resources.

Scene and source optimizations

Disable the preview when you don't need it (right‑click Preview → Disable).
Avoid heavy filters (blur, scaling) and limit browser sources/animations.
Use Game Capture for fullscreen games; Window/Display Capture for apps/desktop.
Keep sources inactive when off‑scene (right‑click source → "Unload when not showing").

Windows stability tips

Power mode: set to Best performance (Windows Settings → System → Power).
Close overlays (Discord/Steam/NVIDIA) and background updaters.
Update GPU drivers; reboot after updates.

Quick checklist

720p @ 30 FPS, CBR 2.5–4.5 Mbps.
NVENC/QSV/AMF if possible; x264 superfast fallback.
Trim scenes, disable preview, and close overlays.

Quick FAQ

Q: CPU hits 100% while streaming?
A: Switch to a GPU encoder, lower preset, 720p30, and close background apps.

Q: What if I have only an iGPU?
A: Try QSV (Intel). If unavailable, use x264 superfast at 960×540 or 720p and 30 FPS.

Q: Recording lags but streaming is fine?
A: Use CQP/CRF recording with moderate quality (20–24) and avoid high bitrates that saturate disk I/O.