Hardware for streaming on a 32-inch Quad HD display
Hardware for streaming on a 32-inch Quad HD display
I just received a free Asus C202S chromebook. My PC setup includes: 11700KF, 32GB RAM, and a B560M-A motherboard with a 3050 processor. Streaming often causes lag because it needs more buffer space. I play games such as GTA 5, single-player titles, Rocket League, Apex, and R6 Siege Hogwarts Legacy—games that aren’t overly demanding. My 3050 still has performance issues. I’m wondering if adding the new Chromebook might help, or if it’s already too limited on its own. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!
I'm not used to using a laptop for streaming, but I don't think it's completely out of the question. I'd guess your gaming PC would perform better if you added your Chromebook, though your stream might not improve much. The best choice would be to buy a higher-end GPU from the used market (like a 2070 Super, 2080, or 3070) and upgrade it yourself. Then turn on NVENC encoding in OBS and you should be fine. Using GPU encoding is usually the most efficient way on a single PC, as long as your graphics card can handle both encoding and gaming without too much strain. Also, keep in mind that unless you're streaming on Twitch (I'm not sure where you're broadcasting), your streams will likely be limited to 720p60, so streaming in higher resolutions isn't necessary.
What part of the issue are you facing? Are you relying on your 3050's encoder for streaming? The encoder matches what a 3090 provides, and it remains distinct from the graphics core itself, ensuring it doesn't interfere with real-time rendering.
Why exactly do you need to push 120Hz? Aren't most platforms limited to 60Hz? Where are you trying to stream to? Does you gameplay stutter? Have you ever thought that it may be an internet issue instead?
I prefer games with higher frame rates. My goal is 120 frames per second on my display, not streaming. On my monitor at 120fps it runs smoothly and plays well, then I stream at 60fps. Streaming on platforms like YouTube or Twitch sometimes causes stuttering, but that’s not the issue I’m facing. I recognize when my monitor is struggling to render frames because it’s demanding too much from the GPU. What I need is a solution so I can enjoy 120fps gaming and streaming without problems.
I’m looking for the right hardware—specifically a GPU—to achieve this smooth performance, especially for high settings on 2K games with enough buffer for streaming and multitasking. If I’m misunderstanding, please clarify what you need! Thanks for your time.
Identify the main reason for your stuttering video streams. Begin by performing a speed test to check your ISP upload speeds. If it’s 10mbps or less, you’ll likely experience frequent buffering regardless of your hardware. Even higher speeds can cause issues if other users are sharing the connection. Streaming at 60 frames per second demands significant bandwidth and processing power. You’re essentially doubling the data sent compared to a 30fps stream, which requires maintaining the same bitrate for quality. Twitch restricts non-partners to around 5mbps for both video and network, meaning your 5mbps at 60fps translates to roughly 2.5mbps at 30fps. On the viewer side, 60fps content takes longer to render and can cause stuttering on mobile or low-power devices. If you’re testing your stream on the same device used for gaming and streaming, it’s possible you’re overloading it. Try watching on another device to see if the problem persists—this might indicate the stream PC is too demanding. For smoother viewing, consider 720p at 30fps instead of 1080p/60fps if you want fewer lags and buffers. Prioritize quality so more viewers can enjoy your stream without interruptions.
I receive roughly 400 to 600 megabits per second download and around 60 megabits per second upload. Testing upload... 434.7 Mbps download, 64.1 Mbps upload. Latency is 32 milliseconds.