Video playback is choppy, yet the processor isn’t operating at more than 90 percent capacity.
Video playback is choppy, yet the processor isn’t operating at more than 90 percent capacity.
My current system includes an i7 7700k running at 4.8 GHz, a GTX 1080TI, and 16GB of RAM. While I’m not a beginner streamer, I require assistance. Before detailing my situation, please note that I intend to upgrade to an i7 8700K within the next few weeks. However, presently, I’m seeking to achieve the highest possible video quality, which seems challenging with my existing i7 7700k unless the game demands minimal processing power. Currently, I’m exclusively utilizing the NVENC encoder for streaming. My standard configuration includes:
NVENC
6000 bitrate
Default
Keyframe interval 2
Profile Main
GPU 0
B frames 2
Level Auto
I've been utilizing these parameters for approximately three to four months. However, reviewing past streams reveals noticeable pixelation during scenes with fast motion. My typical streaming content encompasses titles such as Anthem beta, The Division, The Division 2 beta, Overwatch, Destiny 2, and other first-person shooters. Prior to November, I successfully streamed Destiny 2 using a blend of medium and high settings with x264, without encountering issues. The settings then were:
x264
6000 bitrate
keyframe interval 2
Faster preset
High quality
This setup performed admirably. However, last night, I experimented with the “Faster” and “Very fast” presets within x264 while streaming Apex Legends and The Division 2. The results have been disappointing, and I’m uncertain why this is occurring. While I can stream using NVENC, it produces significant pixelation during intense movement. “Faster” consumes roughly 50-60% of my CPU, which exceeds the game’s demand, rendering it impractical. “Very Fast” appears to work correctly in Task Manager - CPU usage never exceeds 95% – yet, I consistently experience brief stutters during streaming, with CPU utilization remaining at approximately 70-90%. I've experimented with resolutions of 900p60 and 720p60.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance or suggestions you can offer, thank you.
I believe stuttering problems stem from insufficient processor power.
Exercise caution when assessing CPU usage displayed by the task manager; Windows distributes activity across multiple threads. Consequently, a single-threaded, CPU-intensive game on a quad-core processor might appear to be utilizing only 25% across all four cores, leading you to believe another component is the limiting factor.
In reality, most games only effectively utilize two or three threads. Determining a game’s threading efficiency requires a specific test: disable one thread and observe the performance change. This can be achieved through Windows’ System Configuration tool, accessed via Boot -> Advanced Options, by reducing the number of processors available. Restarting is necessary for the modification to be effective. Observing minimal performance variation indicates that additional cores will not provide significant advantages – a higher clock speed would likely be more beneficial.
For those with sufficient funds, an upgrade to an i7-8700K would present a considerable improvement due to its enhanced single-thread speed. This represents a trade-off between 12 threads and a faster 8-threaded processor. If cost is not a concern, the i9-9900K offers optimal performance. Unfortunately, I’m unable to provide assistance with specific game configuration adjustments.