Question / Help CPU/Capture card - better performance?

[antifiend]

Hello

I'm currently streaming at 1080p on twitch but I'm getting below 60fps on quite a few games that otherwise runs without any problems at 60fps when not streaming.

My question is - what's the best way to reduce the load on my computer so I can achieve constant 60fps in games? Is it by getting a new CPU or getting a capture card or both? And does a capture card really reduce the load?

My setup;

i7-2600k @ 4.8Ghz
2x R9 280x

100Mbps Down/300Mbps Up

 

[dodgepong]

A capture card on a single-PC streaming setup will not give you better performance. I recommend downscaling your stream to 720p, or maybe trying QuickSync if you have a compatible motherboard.

 

[antifiend]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I have no wish to downscale anything. I want to run maximum settings for the best quality while running 60fps.

Is there no hardware to improve on this at all? Also is it possible to use 1440p?

Would a 4930K/4960X make a big difference?

After reading around one might as well get a dedicated box for streaming - any tips on pre-made boxes that can deliver quality?

 

[dodgepong]

Just so we're clear, I was suggesting downscaling the stream, not the game. Are you wanting to stream at 1080p60, or just 1080p30 and be able to play the game at 1080p60? Because streaming out at 1080p60 is a pretty bad idea.

What kind of motherboard do you have?

 

[antifiend]

I want the stream at 1080p 30fps and actually playing the game at 60fps.

Sabertooth z77.

 

[Krazy]

If you're willing to shell out for a 4930k, you may as well just build a dedicated encoding PC. That will remove all load from streaming.

 

[antifiend]

If it's possible with a single computer because of limited space mainly, that would be wonderful.

 

[Boildown]

If I'm not mistaken a Z77 motherboard with a 2600k can do Quicksync, which would be your best bet for low-CPU-impact streaming. A capture card is only worthwhile if you have a second PC.

What games are you playing?

 

[alpinlol]

you actually shouldnt have so much problems streaming 1080@30 with the default preset anyway in my opinion

keep in mind high motion games tend to get really ugly in 1080p due to the fact that it actually would need a shit ton of bitrate

and since you say you got crossfire r9 280x you also shouldnt have problems with sustaining a constant 60 fps

 

[dodgepong]

Eh, with a 2600k, I wouldn't be surprised if it affected in-game performance so much on 1080p30.

Your best bet for performance increase will be QuickSync. If you can't get that to work, or if you aren't satisfied with the video quality, then perhaps an overclocked i7-3770k would suffice. Again, it might depend on the game.

 

[antifiend]

What games are you playing?

you actually shouldnt have so much problems streaming 1080@30 with the default preset anyway in my opinion

and since you say you got crossfire r9 280x you also shouldnt have problems with sustaining a constant 60 fps

I'm playing MMOs that require more of my CPU than my GPUs, and BF4.

Eh, with a 2600k, I wouldn't be surprised if it affected in-game performance so much on 1080p30.

Your best bet for performance increase will be QuickSync. If you can't get that to work, or if you aren't satisfied with the video quality, then perhaps an overclocked i7-3770k would suffice. Again, it might depend on the game.

I'll try QuickSync. As mentioned above, what kind of CPU would eliminate most of the CPU load - 3930k or a 4930k? Is it a big difference in performance from a 3770k/4770k to a 4930k?

 

[Krazy]

BF4 destroys everything, even an overclocked haswell will likely be slowed down while try to stream it.

The 4930k would definitely be stronger than the 3930k, it's the next "step" in processor for the Extreme line, after all. Having 6 physical cores, and therefore 12 threads made a big difference from Sandy/Ivy to the 3930k, so I imagine there will be a similar difference between normal Haswell and 4930k.

edit: Side note, do understand that 3930k/4930k do not come with iGPU so you won't be able to use QuickSync.
edit2: Second side note, QuickSync on the 4770k is actually pretty solid quality compared to earlier Sandy/Ivy Bridge. Comparable to x264 veryfast preset (which is OBS default)

 

[antifiend]

BF4 destroys everything, even an overclocked haswell will likely be slowed down while try to stream it.

The 4930k would definitely be stronger than the 3930k, it's the next "step" in processor for the Extreme line, after all. Having 6 physical cores, and therefore 12 threads made a big difference from Sandy/Ivy to the 3930k, so I imagine there will be a similar difference between normal Haswell and 4930k.

edit: Side note, do understand that 3930k/4930k do not come with iGPU so you won't be able to use QuickSync.
edit2: Second side note, QuickSync on the 4770k is actually pretty solid quality compared to earlier Sandy/Ivy Bridge. Comparable to x264 veryfast preset (which is OBS default)

Streaming a game like Dota 2 or Starcraft 2 works fine, and it's easy to adjust for good quality. 1080, 30 or 720, 60 and it doesn't dip under 60.

I barely notice a difference in quality between veryfast and faster/fast preset, neither do I notice that much of a difference at 1080p with quality 8-10 or using CBR. Maybe it's because my game/desktop resolution is 1440p? I've tried changing bitrate from 3000-10000

Also streaming at 720p 60fps looks decent at most no matter what settings I use - CBR with fast preset and Lanczos filter.