What are the optimal video and audio configurations for watching streams on my computer?
What are the optimal video and audio configurations for watching streams on my computer?
Hello, my name is Zach and I am fourteen years old and reside in Canada. Approximately a year ago, I constructed a personal computer and have recently been exploring the world of streaming. I attempted this previously but encountered insufficient performance, however, after experimenting with the NVENC H.264 encoder and a bitrate of 5500 at Constant Bit Rate, it operated satisfactorily. However, today, with the addition of a second display and utilizing identical configurations, my streaming experience deteriorated significantly. I would like to provide you with details regarding my hardware and previous settings, and if anyone could suggest improved configurations for optimal streaming, I would be grateful. I utilize OBS for my streams and primarily play Fortnite.
My system specifications are as follows:
CPU: AMD A8 7650k @3.2GHz (Quad-Core)
GPU: GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of VRAM
Storage: Western Digital Hard Disk Drive with a capacity of 1TB
Motherboard: A68HM Grenade
Power Supply Unit: EVGA 500W
RAM: 16GB DDR3
I am also expecting an AT2020 microphone to arrive in a few days, along with two monitors.
Here are the settings I have been utilizing:
Encoder: NVENC H.264
Bitrate: 5500 CBR
Output: Lanczos 720p at 48 frames per second.
I have enabled the option 'Enforce streaming service encoder settings.'
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated – thank you in advance.
Your current hardware configuration isn’t suitable for simultaneously playing and broadcasting a game. Even with a friend's 4770k processor and a 1070ti graphics card, he experiences lag while streaming Fortnite. While NVenc improved the stream’s stability, the video quality suffered significantly.
Leverage your computer’s encoding capabilities for smooth streaming, as your current setup offers superior results. Modify your NVENC to x264 and maintain a suitable bitrate. Observing other streamers, most opt for resolutions falling between 1080 and 720 pixels, frequently utilizing a 900 value. Unless you possess upgraded hardware or robust internet connectivity to increase the bitrate, further adjustments are unlikely to yield significant enhancements.
Regarding streaming, I suggest utilizing your computer’s integrated video encoder. You'll likely achieve superior results with this method, especially given your current setup. Switching from NVENC to x264 and maintaining a suitable bitrate should work well for most streamers, with resolutions typically falling between 1080p and 720p using a bitrate of 900. However, if you possess a more powerful system or have access to robust internet connectivity, you could consider increasing the bitrate. Initially, I utilized x264 for streaming but experienced issues – when starting, my game would freeze and display a blurred, laggy image until several minutes had passed before it stabilized, which then negatively impacted my gameplay experience. Do you have any other suggestions?
You’re limited in what you can accomplish; your current setup isn't suitable for simultaneously playing and broadcasting. Even with a friend’s 4770k processor and GeForce GTX 1070, he experiences lag while streaming Fortnite. While NVenc improved the stream’s stability, the video quality suffered significantly.