Getting OBS settings right makes the difference between a crisp, smooth stream and a pixelated mess. The ideal settings depend on your hardware, internet speed, and target platform. Here are the best configurations for different scenarios.
Quick Recommended Settings
For most streamers with a mid-range PC and decent internet:
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (output)
- FPS: 60
- Encoder: NVENC (NVIDIA GPU) or x264 (CPU)
- Bitrate: 6000 kbps
- Audio: 160 kbps AAC
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
- Preset: Quality (NVENC) or Medium (x264)
These settings work well for Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.
Choosing Your Encoder
NVENC (NVIDIA GPU encoding):
- Uses your GPU's dedicated encoding chip
- Minimal impact on gaming performance
- Excellent quality at high bitrates
- Best choice if you have a GTX 1660 or newer NVIDIA GPU
x264 (CPU encoding):
- Uses your CPU to encode
- Better quality at lower bitrates than NVENC
- Significant CPU load during streaming
- Best for powerful CPUs (8+ cores) or non-gaming streams
AMD AMF (AMD GPU encoding):
- Uses AMD GPU hardware encoder
- Similar concept to NVENC but for AMD cards
- Quality has improved significantly in recent generations
AV1 (Newest option):
- Available on RTX 4000 series and newer
- Better quality at lower bitrates than H.264
- Platform support is still growing
If you have an NVIDIA GPU, use NVENC. It gives you great quality without eating into your gaming performance.
Resolution Settings
Canvas (Base) Resolution: Set this to your monitor's native resolution. This is what OBS captures.
Output (Scaled) Resolution: This is what viewers see. Common choices:
- 1920x1080 (1080p): The standard. Requires 4500-6000 kbps on Twitch.
- 1280x720 (720p): Good for weaker hardware or slower internet. 2500-4000 kbps.
- 2560x1440 (1440p): For YouTube which supports higher bitrates. 8000-12000 kbps.
Use the Lanczos downscale filter for the sharpest results when scaling down.
Bitrate Guide
Bitrate determines video quality. Higher is better but requires more upload bandwidth:
| Resolution | FPS | Recommended Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p | 30 | 2500-3500 kbps |
| 720p | 60 | 3500-4500 kbps |
| 1080p | 30 | 4000-5000 kbps |
| 1080p | 60 | 5000-6000 kbps |
| 1440p | 60 | 8000-12000 kbps |
Twitch caps non-partners at 6000 kbps for H.264. YouTube allows much higher. Kick supports up to 8000 kbps.
Your upload speed should be at least 1.5x your bitrate for stability. For a 6000 kbps stream, you want 9+ Mbps upload.
Audio Settings
- Audio bitrate: 160 kbps (good balance of quality and bandwidth)
- Sample rate: 48 kHz
- Channels: Stereo
- Desktop audio: Enabled for game sound
- Mic audio: Separate source with filters
Recommended Mic Filters (in this order):
- Noise Suppression: Removes background noise (RNNoise or Speex)
- Noise Gate: Cuts audio below a threshold when you are not talking
- Compressor: Evens out volume peaks
- Limiter: Prevents audio clipping at maximum volume
Platform-Specific Settings
Twitch:
- Max 6000 kbps bitrate (H.264)
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds (required)
- 1080p60 or 720p60 recommended
- Server: Choose closest geographic server
YouTube:
- Higher bitrates supported (8000-15000)
- 1080p60 or 1440p60 recommended
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds
- Use YouTube's ingestion URL
Kick:
- Up to 8000 kbps supported
- 1080p60 recommended
- Similar settings to Twitch otherwise
Performance Optimization
If you drop frames while streaming:
- Switch from x264 to NVENC (if you have NVIDIA GPU)
- Lower output resolution from 1080p to 720p
- Reduce FPS from 60 to 30
- Lower encoder preset (from Slow to Medium/Fast for x264, or from Quality to Performance for NVENC)
- Reduce in-game graphics settings
- Close background applications
Monitor the bottom of OBS for dropped frames indicators. "Encoding overloaded" means your encoder cannot keep up. "Network" dropped frames mean your internet is struggling.
Advanced Settings
- Process Priority: Set to Above Normal in OBS Advanced settings
- Color Format: NV12 (default, most compatible)
- Color Space: 709 for content filmed/rendered in standard definition or higher
- Dynamic Bitrate: Enable for adapting to network fluctuations (useful on unstable connections)
FAQ
What bitrate should I stream at? 6000 kbps for 1080p60 on Twitch. Adjust based on your platform and upload speed.
NVENC or x264? NVENC if you have an NVIDIA GPU (1660 or newer). It barely impacts gaming performance while delivering great quality.
Why does my stream look blurry? Bitrate is too low for your resolution, or your upload speed cannot sustain the configured bitrate. Lower resolution or increase bitrate.
Related: OBS Studio streaming setup guide, How to stream on Twitch, Stream encoder settings guide