Computer extremely laggy when recording video calls with OBS

[nulogic]

I typically record my calls when I jump on a video call.

With OBS, my computer often lags really badly during recording.

Is there a way to tweak the settings to make it better?

I noted that one way was to set Hardware Encoder as NVENC. But if I use this option, I get an error message.

Thank you all.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

1. follow the big RED warning about NOT recording to MP4
2. Why in the world are you recording a video call at 60fps?

 

[rockbottom]

Disable/Remove the Nvidia MX-450. That GPU is worthless...

Better off using the Intel Graphics IMHO...

 

[rockbottom]

BTW, update your Intel Graphics drivers before trying with OBS. Looks like this is the latest release: 30.0.101.1191

Support for Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics

Support product highlights, featured content, downloads and more for Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics

www.intel.com

 

[nulogic]

1. follow the big RED warning about NOT recording to MP4
2. Why in the world are you recording a video call at 60fps?

1. Sorry I did not see a warning not to use MP4 in either of these sections. May I know what file format I should be using?

High CPU Usage/High Encoding/Taking too long to encode? Read this first!

Encoding video is a very CPU-intensive operation, and OBS is no exception. OBS uses the best open source video encoding library available, x264, to encode video, and can use hardware encoders like NVENC on high end GPUs. However, some people might experience high CPU utilization, and other...

obsproject.com

Dropped frames/disconnecting/lag? Read this first!

NOTE: This thread contains EVERY piece of dropped frames / disconnect / network related advice we can give. If you really truly honestly super duper actually 100% tried everything in this thread (including replacing hardware), and you STILL have issues then the problem is somewhere along the...

obsproject.com

2. I amended it to 30 fps like the file attached. Is that better?

3. Are there any other changes I can make to improve speed?

Thanks

 

[nulogic]

Disable/Remove the Nvidia MX-450. That GPU is worthless...

Better off using the Intel Graphics IMHO...

So I just disable my graphics card (like the attached file) and then update my driver?

Do I need to make any changes in OBS?

Thanks

 

[rockbottom]

Hook up your monitors to the Intel GPU. Update the drivers & then open OBS. You should now be able to use the QuickSync encoder (QSV) instead of x264.

Also, run OBS as admin & disable the following in Windows.
All Settings > Gaming
21:29:24.546: Windows 10 Gaming Features:
21:29:24.546: Game Bar: On
21:29:24.546: Game DVR: On
21:29:24.546: Game DVR Background Recording: On

 

[WBE]

May I know what file format I should be using?

You'd better switch it back to mkv files.

If you want to remux them to mp4 afterwards (take video and audio stream from .mkv and put them in a new .mp4 file), within OBS Studio you can go to File, Remux Recordings. Or even consider Settings, Advanced, Recording: check Automatically remux to mp4

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Also, run OBS as admin

All good advice, but I'd 'belay that order' on running as Admin unless you absolutely have to. Your PC is modern enough though ultra-low power/performance CPU, that with proper OBS settings, I suspect you'll be fine at 30fps. So I doubt you'll need to run as Admin (to force a GPU scheduling priority workaround) but maybe.. I'd make that a sort of last resort type thing

As your system is not well-suited for real-time video encoding, be contentious of what is running in the background and make sure your system isn't running out of CPU, RAM, etc.

 

[DayGeckoArt]

So I just disable my graphics card (like the attached file) and then update my driver?

Do I need to make any changes in OBS?

Thanks

He means don't use the Geforce for recording, use the Quicksync on your Intel chip. Don't disable your graphics card

 

[nulogic]

You'd better switch it back to mkv files.

If you want to remux them to mp4 afterwards (take video and audio stream from .mkv and put them in a new .mp4 file), within OBS Studio you can go to File, Remux Recordings. Or even consider Settings, Advanced, Recording: check Automatically remux to mp4

Thanks, I have switched to this. Am I good to go?

https://i.imgur.com/WF4qQ0Z.png

 

[nulogic]

He means don't use the Geforce for recording, use the Quicksync on your Intel chip. Don't disable your graphics card

Hello, thank you. I have switched to this

https://i.imgur.com/WF4qQ0Z.png

Am I good to go? Thanks.

 

[nulogic]

Hook up your monitors to the Intel GPU. Update the drivers & then open OBS. You should now be able to use the QuickSync encoder (QSV) instead of x264.

Also, run OBS as admin & disable the following in Windows.
All Settings > Gaming
21:29:24.546: Windows 10 Gaming Features:
21:29:24.546: Game Bar: On
21:29:24.546: Game DVR: On
21:29:24.546: Game DVR Background Recording: On

Hi Rockbottom, how do I " Hook up your monitors to the Intel GPU "?

I have googled it and there isn't clear guidance on how to do it.

Thanks.

 

[DayGeckoArt]

Hi Rockbottom, how do I " Hook up your monitors to the Intel GPU "?

I have googled it and there isn't clear guidance on how to do it.

Thanks.

I looked up your MX-450 and I think it's a good GPU. The other poster may have been thinking of older MX graphics cards.

You should try setting recording to use NVENC. I think it will work fine. Also turn down the rate to Medium

 

[nulogic]

I looked up your MX-450 and I think it's a good GPU. The other poster may have been thinking of older MX graphics cards.

You should try setting recording to use NVENC. I think it will work fine. Also turn down the rate to Medium
View attachment 79716

Thank you. I will try this out :)

 

[rockbottom]

New version or old version NVENC isn't on the MX-450.

Video Encode and Decode Support Matrix

Find the related video encoding and decoding support for all NVIDIA GPU products.

developer.nvidia.com

There are no outputs on the MX-450, it uses the host machine output.

NVIDIA GeForce MX450 12W Specs

NVIDIA TU117S, 930 MHz, 896 Cores, 56 TMUs, 32 ROPs, 2048 MB GDDR6, 1250 MHz, 64 bit

www.techpowerup.com

 

[nulogic]

New version or old version NVENC isn't on the MX-450.

Video Encode and Decode Support Matrix

Find the related video encoding and decoding support for all NVIDIA GPU products.

developer.nvidia.com

There are no outputs on the MX-450, it uses the host machine output.

NVIDIA GeForce MX450 12W Specs

NVIDIA TU117S, 930 MHz, 896 Cores, 56 TMUs, 32 ROPs, 2048 MB GDDR6, 1250 MHz, 64 bit

www.techpowerup.com

You are right, it doesn't seem to work with NVENC. I have changed it back to this (https://i.imgur.com/BrwTBY1.png).

Can I check if I am good like this?

Thanks.

 

[rockbottom]

Yep, as long as you updated the drivers, you should be good to go.