What is actually stopping me from recording in higher resolution with OBS?
What is actually stopping me from recording in higher resolution with OBS?
I own an older PC that requires a complete overhaul, but I was curious about the impact on using OBS:
Open Broadcaster Software | OBS
OBS is a free, open-source tool for video recording and live streaming. You can stream to platforms like Twitch and YouTube, or capture your own videos with high-quality H264/AAC encoding.
obsproject.com
For recording PC games.
Initially, here’s my current configuration:
Core i7 4770
Memory: H97M-D3H, Gigabyte
Windows 10-64 bit, 16 GB RAM
Graphics card:
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/ra...-265.c2558
SSD 1 TB
Old monitor: LG W2452V
And this is the OBS setup I use for these recordings:
https://i.postimg.cc/3xcXVwPm/XU1.png
Audio settings: 320 kbps bitrate, 48 kHz sample rate, stereo.
Also:
https://i.postimg.cc/sghxfDMp/XU2.png
Looking at the example I shared (Resident Evil, 1996, PC):
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERsaiwb1Fc0
At 1280x960 (roughly 720p) there are no issues. OBS generates MP4 files without any slowdowns or problems.
But if I switch both resolutions to 1920x1200—the maximum for my system—then the video would become unusable, freezing completely.
This clearly shows that anything above 720p is beyond what this machine can manage.
Even recent PC games wouldn’t be affected here, but since I’m using an older title, it’s worth noting.
To address your question, there are four possible options:
a) Upgrading CPU, motherboard, and RAM along with Windows 10 would suffice, regardless of the video card.
b) Even with the same system, a newer graphics card would be beneficial. The bottleneck here is the GPU, so replacing it would help avoid freezing at higher resolutions like 1080p or even 4K.
c) My current setup should handle these recordings, but the issue lies in the OBS configuration.
d) You’d need to combine changes a and b together.
My thought is that a new CPU, possibly paired with an updated video card, would be sufficient. The main limitation appears to be the OBS settings.
Or perhaps just adjusting the configuration of OBS itself?
My estimate leans toward a new CPU, maybe this recording isn’t too GPU-intensive.
Compare your setup with OBS's requirements.
Review the Help section for detailed support options.
Explore the Wiki containing various troubleshooters and guides.
Make your own checklist to evaluate potential issues.
Aim to identify the most effective hardware or configuration for better performance.
Use Resource Monitor and Task Manager to track system performance during gaming and recording with OBS.
Identify which resources are being consumed and their usage percentage.
Keep both tools active but focus on one at a time.
^ Your response confirms your answer ^
Higher settings and better quality recordings demand a system upgrade.
Compare your setup with OBS's specifications. Review the Help section for detailed support choices. Explore the Wiki for troubleshooting tips and instructions. Build your own checklist to evaluate potential issues step by step. Aim to identify the limiting factor. Use Resource Monitor and Task Manager to track performance during gaming and recording with OBS. Identify which resources are being consumed and their usage percentage.
The i7-4770 remains quite solid, matching roughly the performance of a Ryzen 5 2600 per core/thread. For better results, consider purchasing at least a GTX 1650 Super, which offers nearly double the power compared to your R7 265. This would allow you to use Nvidia NVENC encoding on the GPU with OBS. Ideally, upgrading to a GTX 1660 Super or an RTX 2060 Super would be even more beneficial, though at least improving your setup is a solid step.
You're using the GPU but have a decent iGPU that could handle the task with quicksync. Your system works well except for the GPU; moving the encoding to the iGPU will fix it. If it's a Windows issue, set the encoding to high priority so Windows understands you need smooth recording instead of more frames.