Question / Help Is this normal?

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BroBase

New Member
Sorry for the incomplete thread title, I suck at summarizing. Anyways, I'm trying to find out if it's normal that I get 100% CPU usage when I stream and record overwatch on ultra settings with the following setup and settings:
  • I7-6700K
  • MSI GTX 1080
  • 32GB 2666MHz DDR4
Recording Settings:
  • Format: mp4
  • Encoder: x264
  • Three audio tracks
  • CRF 18
  • Main profile
  • 1920x1080 without down-scaling
  • CPU Preset: veryfast
Streaming Settings:
  • Encoder: x264
  • CBR
  • Bitrate 2200
  • Buffer 2800
  • Profile: Main
  • CPU Preset: veryfast
  • 1920x1080 down-scaled to 1280x720
I'm not complaining, I just want to make sure it's normal that this setup has 100% CPU usage when I'm recording and streaming at the same time. If not, I should look into what's causing the problem within my warranty period (new setup and all). Thank you in advance!

edit: Small update. I also get 98ish% when I only record and not stream on CRF 23.
edit: Using nvenc for recording decreases CPU usage by a lot. I'm looking for a nice bitrate that gives equal quality to CRF 23 for 1080p 60fps recordings. Currently using 50k bitrate but that seems a bit steep. Any suggestions?
edit: Even though I'm far from maxing my CPU and GPU limits when using NVENC for recording and x264/CBR for streaming, the stream lags. Will a capture card fix this if I let the capture card stream and my pc record?
 
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R

RytoEX

Forum Admin
Forum Moderator
Developer
Hi! Please post a complete log file that shows a streaming/recording session that exhibits the issue that you're describing. Log files also give us useful information about your system specifications and your OBS Studio settings.

BroBase said:
Anyways, I'm trying to find out if it's normal that I get 100% CPU usage when I stream and record overwatch on ultra settings
Click to expand...

Yes, I'd say it's normal. It's been discussed pretty often that Overwatch is a CPU hog. Encoding with x264 is CPU heavy. You're recording and streaming with different encoder settings, which means you're adding even more strain.

You should read this guide for high quality recording, and change your recording encoder settings to a hardware encoder (NVENC or Quick Sync) to alleviate the CPU load. For hardware encoders, don't specify a bitrate. Use one of the quality parameters instead. Regardless, hardware encoded files are going to be large. The hardware encoders simply aren't as efficient as x264, as far as I know.

You should record to MKV instead of MP4. You can remux the files to MP4 later if you need them to be MP4 for editing software.

I'm pretty sure you should not use a custom buffer size for streaming. Disable that.

If you're still having CPU load issues after this, you might have to set your streaming x264 preset to superfast or ultrafast.
 
B

BroBase

New Member
I'm going to try to make this work with nvenc, but I have to research which settings are best for a 720p 60fps stream. (This is a subtle hint to you guys to help me out on that one :p) For recording I've switched to nvenc QCP.
 
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Blauwhelmpje

Member
Got the same cpu and gpu. Although I'm not playing overwatch, I must say I got no cpu issues when streaming ArmaIII for instance at preset medium, 45fps, 720p. I don't stream and record at the same time though, but I would also recommend to use nvencoding at 40-50mbps and streaming with x264). I never checked cpu usage since I got no reason to do so since it's working great so far. I got bitrate without custom buffer though.(so both at 2500kbps atm. Downscale filter: lanczos..

My friend streams Overwatch on a i5 6500 and never heard him complain about cpu issues and his stream looks smooth and without issues.

Only thing I could think of is: did you enable hyperthreading in bios? Although I'm not sure if that would make such a tremendous difference.

Btw, how long do wait to check your stream? Because the occasional buffering might happen in the beginning(first x minutes). Also I check my own stream on my phone because for some reason on my pc dashboard it would give more issues.
 
B

BroBase

New Member
The following settings work for me now, which give me a max CPU load of 60% when streaming and recording at the same time:

Recording:
  • Format: mkv
  • Encoder: NVENC H.264
  • Three audio tracks
  • Rate control: CQP (23)
  • Preset: High Quality
  • Profile: High
  • 1920x1080 without down-scaling
Streaming:
  • Encoder: NVENC H.264
  • One audio track
  • Rate control: CBR
  • Bitrate: 4000
  • Preset: High Quality
  • Profile: High
  • 1920x1080 down-scaled to 1280x720
Both are 60fps and using Lanczos downscale filter. Still balancing things out when it comes to the stream, it spikes here and there, but I'm getting there. Thanks for all the help guys.
 
R

RytoEX

Forum Admin
Forum Moderator
Developer
BroBase said:
Streaming:
  • Encoder: NVENC H.264
  • One audio track
  • Rate control: CBR
  • Bitrate: 4000
  • Preset: High Quality
  • Profile: High
  • 1920x1080 down-scaled to 1280x720
Both are 60fps and using Lanczos downscale filter. Still balancing things out when it comes to the stream, it spikes here and there, but I'm getting there. Thanks for all the help guys.
Click to expand...

You're above Twitch's maximum bitrate limit of 3500 Kbps for non-partners. Keep in mind that that is a violation of their ToS, and they could ban you for it, though they may never notice. See here for more info on that:
The important point on the last one is:
[If] you are not a Twitch partner and are reading this, [stick] to 720p@30fps, 2000kbps, x264 with the slowest preset your rig can handle while in-game.
Click to expand...

It's up to you to make the final call on what's appropriate for your stream. I just wanted to make sure you were informed.
 
B

BroBase

New Member
Suslik V said:
And what hard drive model (just wonder)?
Click to expand...

Crucial_CT256MX100SSD1 - This is the next in line for an upgrade.


RytoEX said:
You're above Twitch's maximum bitrate limit of 3500 Kbps for non-partners. Keep in mind that that is a violation of their ToS, and they could ban you for it, though they may never notice. See here for more info on that:
The important point on the last one is:


It's up to you to make the final call on what's appropriate for your stream. I just wanted to make sure you were informed.
Click to expand...

I will definitely adjust to 3500. Thank you for letting me know. Also I will take a look into slower presets.
 
R

RytoEX

Forum Admin
Forum Moderator
Developer
BroBase said:
I will definitely adjust to 3500. Thank you for letting me know. Also I will take a look into slower presets.
Click to expand...

Slower presets is mostly in reference to x264. Also, slower presets will use more CPU.

As far as I understand it, for NVENC, "High Quality" is essentially a slower preset than "High Performance". For streaming, you might see better performance (not quality gains) with "High Performance". I have enough experience with NVENC for streaming to say for sure.
 
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