Question / Help High CPU usage, do I need to upgrade?

sqitso

sqitso

New Member
Hi all. First post. I don't want to bore you, because I know this question has been asked a lot. I know that because I have probably read 100 posts on the issue. So here it is in a nutshell. I can stream using any encoding method x264, quick syn, nvenc at pretty much any resolution 720p-1090p in 60fps all the wayy to 25fps.. with many bitates 1800-3500.. with my Elgato capture card from my console. With good results. My CPU will stick between 40-50 % usage on all cores. I will list specs below. I can deal with that, no problem.

Now.. when I try to stream from my PC "yes single system stream setup" my CPU usage always goes to 90-100% at pretty much any good resolution. Not just streaming, I mean I will even lower my resolution and color settings in game. I could list how many combinations of things I have tried, but there are sooo many. I tried all encoding methods x264, quick sync, nvenc, various bitrates. Resolutions, Downscales, Audio quality. Twitch servers, CBR on and off. Not using my webcam. Using my webcam. All sorts of stuff, again too many to list. I mostly tried this on CS:GO just because that game is so weak it's a wonder PCs can't run it with the power turned off. I didn't want to try something really intense like Far Cry 4.. Heck if I can't stream CS:GO I might as well stop right there.

Now I did not try to lower CS:Go to an even lower resolution that 720p because that would be horrible. If I can't even play the game at 720p it wouldn't even be worth playing. So here I will list my computer specs. Plus 2 questions.

Question 1: Is my processor just not enough to stream on a single rig? My processor is plenty for games. I am older so I usually play at 720p anyway.

Question 2: Would a stronger GPU also mean stronger hardware encoding with NVENC? The reason I ask that is because though my 660 is fine for 720p, which is what I normally play at. I received a 970 for Christmas. Just haven't installed it. If a stronger GPU means more powerful encoding then my problem would probably be solved there.

Anyway, here are my specs.

Processor : I5-4670K @ 4.2GHZ
Memory : 16GB Corsair Vengence
Video: Nvidia GTX660 "Have a 970 available"
HDD: Effed if I know, I have five 1tb drives in this thing.
OS: Windows 8.1 legit
OBS ver: I have tried 32bit and 64bit

Streaming settings. I have tried them all by reading these forums. As I said console streaming is fine. It's PC streaming that kills me.

P.S. If I use the Elgato to stream my PC through the Elgato software my CPU resources only go up to 40-50%. So is it possible OBS just hates me?

Thanks
 
dodgepong

dodgepong

Administrator
Community Helper
Can you post your log? (Here's how)

Streaming via the Elgato software uses the onboard encoder of the Elgato and does no compositing on your computer, which is why it doesn't take up much resources.
 
sqitso

sqitso

New Member
So my processor is fine for pretty much everything but streaming PC games? I just stream for fun, I'm retired. So if the processor is the problem, only with OBS and Games.. then that would be kind of a waste to upgrade processors. Once I install this 970 I should probably be good for games for another couple of years.. of course I could be wrong.

P.S. I have several capture cards. I have an Avermedia live gamer portable, and a Haupauge PVR2. I even have an internal Avermedia of some kind. I just liked the Elgato software better. Would any of those capture cards help?
 
sqitso

sqitso

New Member
I think this is the right log. I just streamed for a couple of minutes. Was CS Go at 720. This was with Nvenc I believe, but it really doesn't matter because they all max out.
 

Attachments

  • 2014-12-27-0651-29.log
    12.1 KB · Views: 43
sqitso

sqitso

New Member
Well can anyone just verify if a stronger GPU = a stronger encoder using Nvenc? If I can just pull the load of the CPU I think I will be fine.
 
sqitso

sqitso

New Member
One more question.. Can I use a dedicated Nvidia card for an encoder? I can install this 970 as my primary.. and was wondering if I could use the 660 as a dedicated encoder?
 
sqitso

sqitso

New Member
Well.. I guess never mind. CS:Go is just a piece of crap when it comes to code. I loaded up gpuz my mobo cpu utils. I checked CSgo at various resolutions and graphics settings and it always almost maxed my CPU and GPU even with no OBS running. I wanted to be sure, so I loaded and played several other games. Daylight, Alien Isolation, BF4, The Evil Within and Dragon Age Inquisition. None of them pushed my CPU passed about 60% even at 1080p Ultra, except Dragon Age. Dragon Age pushed my CPU to 80% but that was at 1080p.. it came into the 70s at 720p. Yes many of the games pushed my GPU to 90% or higher but it only has 2gigs. That's to be expected. I usually play at a lower resolution anyway. CS Go is ugly as f*ck and could probably run on a mobile phone. Don't know why it pushes my system so hard. No great loss I guess.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top