No, the 6850k stream and game cannot run together simultaneously.
No, the 6850k stream and game cannot run together simultaneously.
I'm currently using the NVANC encoder, but I understand that software h.264 at lower bitrates on Twitch gives better visuals. I just don't want to lose frames, so before going live I wondered if it can support both. My chip is overclocked to 4.6 all cores.
It all comes down to the specific game. You might need to lower the bitrate with h.264, but NVENC usually performs better. I think it’s safer to use NVENC rather than worrying about frame drops or microstutters from heavy CPU usage. The GPU you’re using matters too—RTX 2000/3000 will likely look superior with NVENC versus the lower-end h.264 alternatives.
I mainly enjoy classic retro titles or, when trying new ones, they run at 4K resolution. Recently I’ve been using DLSS with settings up to 1440 for smoother performance at maximum quality.
Sadly, the statement isn't fully accurate. Many games showcase NVENC as superior to CPU x264. It varies based on the game, the encoder version you're using (1650Super and newer cards feature a more advanced encoder), and your specific settings and resolution. In some cases, x264 at 8000bitrate 1080p Slow appears inferior to NVENC on a 1080ti, while in others, x264 Very Fast outperforms Slow or Medium for reasons like less foliage. NVENC requires more setup, whereas x264 demands fine-tuning to achieve optimal results across different titles. FPS will decrease with either method regardless of CPU choice. NVENC generally offers better performance.
Your retro titles would probably leave ample CPU capacity to enhance h.264 performance. Even in 4K, newer games will likely appear sharper with NVENC since they demand more CPU power. You may need to choose a more demanding h.264 setting to beat NVENC. With an RTX 2000/3000 or a 1650s-1660ti GPU, NVENC is usually the better choice. Older hardware will show a larger gap between NVENC and solid H.264 quality. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with setting up multiple configurations for different games. These differences must be directly compared to see which works best. Sadly, bitrate is the only factor that will noticeably improve your viewers’ experience.