Not reaching 30 FPS / Rendering / Encoding Lag

[IrriOn1]

Hello, yet another post about a common issue, however I am running a music stream, and I keep dropping about 16 to 17% of frames due to encoding or rendering lag. Stats and Task Manager suggest that both my GPU and CPU are not close to being maxed out, and most posts with valid solutions suggest to limit in-game FPS and the likes. Me, however, not running a game but rather focusing on mostly sources, I am not sure how to further increase my performance here. A lot of visual elements get used directly in OBS (image source or window capture) and the filters applies are mostly dimming (for example on the background wallpapers), or a Chroma key for the captured Visualizer.

Considering my PC runs only the music programme, a slideshow and OBS, I would have thought my current equipment might suffice.

I already scaled down to 720p, and tried both NVENC and or Software rendering, but it did not make much of a difference.

Noticeable on the decorative GIFs and the Visualizer, every second or so, it has a light stutter. Stats tell me I am only reaching about 25 FPS, with a rendering and/or encoding lag of 16% on average. Sometimes it's better, but this is as high as it gets. Task manager usually tells me my GPU is about 25% busy, the CPU being highest at like 50%.

CPU: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor
Memory: 16 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960

Considering I am not running any heavy programmes in the background, I thought this GPU/CPU combo might have sufficed for simply scenes.
I know about Scene Collections, however with the use of OBS Remote on a bot I would like to keep Event Scenes to easily switch via chat commands.

OBS running as Administrator, and the log file is attached, as well as a worst-captured moment of the Stats Window.

Hope I have been thorough, thanks for the help in advance. Cheers.

Log:

https://obsproject.com/logs/_YwClXx6MIKPvJs0

 

[IrriOn1]

An update to this, the Audio Sampling Rate was an oversight. Fixed it, but still experiencing lag-spikes of the same calibre.
Previews are fine until I go live. I want to risk spending a lot of money on an upgrade until I know I could not fix it with some settings I am just overlooking.

Many thanks.

https://obsproject.com/logs/1L4x2IJ0sIQVzATc

 

[BluePeer]

CPU and GPU sorry without bad Behavior but there have not 0 but realy small amount of Performance
alone what i see in the Log you willing to do stuff with filters and more there pull alot of work on the GPU
for new GPU there lol about that load but for the 960 without the new tec optimizations its hard work
same for the CPU

It is not a question about free % or MHZ more a question about integratet features that your old hardware need to calulcate by hand
where new cpu/gpu have specialized parts that do this in idle x2 times faster
stream/record in realtime is a "timing" question every filter ... needs time to apply the system simply needs longer then the time it have

there is a "chance" if you erase every plugin/filter and source that not "required" that you can result in a working array
means the system itself is able to record and transcode a 720P/1080P stream/file with nvenc
That can the hardware, the issue comes with additional load for sources and filter and other stuff running outside of OBS

disable all not needed on windows discord/browser/wallaperengine and all other not required for the stream/record

 

[IrriOn1]

Would still having the sources, but checking things such as "Close File when Inactive", "Restart Playback when Source becomes active" and the likes while still keeping them in other not-currently-used scenes make the difference? So I could enable them via command, when they need to be shown.

 

[BluePeer]

Think like a Bar
===== <-- is what your system can handle
=========== <-- is what you try
you need to to to this
= <---
and add only thinks to reach
===== <---

export all , how it works look at guides
then start with a empty OBS
Look if it works (nothing in it)
If it works
then add 1 source example the game what you willing to show
look if it works
then if it works you can add 1 other thing
this you can to one change by one change this you do until you have your minimalistic requirements
then stop do not try to reach the point where it start truggle then you are to close to max and will genereate problems in future

 

[IrriOn1]

I understand the requirements, please read my post. Also not trying to stream a game, but sources only.
My question was whether it would actually decrease the load if I enabled these options.

I will likely just need to put more money into the rig, despite it running well for months beforehand.

Cheers.

 

[BluePeer]

without know where and how big the Over is
you can try years and find not out
its not related what you try to record if it is a game or simply only your desktop

All creates load on the CPU and GPU some more some less
If you not know what part A , B , C , D have for loads you are blind try

for example
if 90% of the load comes from the Browser you are record as Source and only 10% from OBS
then you can try to optimize OBS for years 0.1% load reduction of 10% is nothing

So you need to start with a clean OBS and take a look how mutch load it takes and how it performe
then you add that what you will record and take another look then you know 2 Values
1. The OBS Itself encode workload
2. The OBS include source Workload
if this bottom steps works fine then you know the issue comes from too mutch scene layouts or filters or something combines

but if you still start get problems on adding your record source without the other then you know you can try everything outside of OBS before tryoptimize scene

you need to find out the balance and where the issue came from

for some simple understand you say " despite it running well for months beforehand" <-- without changes it will never stop running well
so there are changes from old running to current


if the "source" needs more load?
have you add expensive in to OBS scene objects?

you can ask whatever you wan't what can help, its yes to every thats disable or remove load
if this brings you to a success ? i can't tell, reason is simple i don't know is that the issue


just said in a very mean way, theoretically all your problems can come from a new "sub" "follow" gif / animation / video that you have built into your alerts. all needs performance and ressources

you are the only one who knows what has changed between the old functioning and the current non-functioning state. if you don't know you have to find out, for example by using the procedure described above to get an overview

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Your latest log shows lots of streamelements errors - not sure impactful or not, but can't be helping OBS

As noted above, you are using a LOT of OBS filters and effects, so start by backing off until you hit a point of stability. Oh, and maybe removing some/all of those plugins. Basic troubleshooting of make it simple, then identify what is pushing over the top. With your current hardware, you are likely going to have to compromise (eliminate) some of the visual effects you've added

Just curious, you do have a SSD with plenty of free space, right? Or, are are you running Windows off a hard disk drive?

You are increasing the PC workload by rescaling with a base canvas and output resolution being different

Your primary concern may be audio, but you are streaming a real-time encoded video signal (which is a LOT of work for a PC to do, and you don't have the hardware to make that easier, as noted above). And to make matters worse, you have a LOT of plug-ins, effects/filters, etc going on. Too much for your PC. Might a nVidia GTX 1650 Super GPU make enough difference??

 

[IrriOn1]

Thank you for the GPU suggestion, I will likely upgrade on that front, however wondering if my CPU will not be a drag-down as well. Unless I can focus more and more on a new GPU to lift the weight a little.

My SSD has plenty of free space, yes. It only runs OS, and the few (small) programmes like foobar2k and the slideshow. Anything loaded into these programmes are on a separate HDD.

I haven't considered the base canvas and output being too much of a strain, since it was suggested to me to simply downscale to 720p for the time being.

Wondering where the plug-in problem would come in, I have only installed OBS Remote, so I will simply get rid of the rest.
Considering this is a 24/7 Stream, I will need some time to fit maintenance in, for downtime, - thank you for the suggestions thus far.