Question / Help Random CPU Spikes from OBS

[Danny McKean]

Hi Everyone!

I've been using OBS for well over a year now, but I've suddenly encountered a problem with a massive spike in CPU usage from OBS. These happen at completely random intervals, and reduce game FPS down to ~10 for a few seconds.

I've looked through these forums and tried several of the suggestions I have come across, all without success. I have tried lowering the encoding settings and disabling all CPU power saving features on the BIOS.

It is worth noting that I never experienced these problems previously, even when recording the same games. The only change I've made to my settings recently was to bump the FPS up to 60 (from 30), but I am still getting these random CPU spikes when I set my FPS back at 30%.

I've just done some analysis using ProcessExplorer. The game I am recording at the time (GTA IV) uses, consistently around 60% CPU, with OBS recording at 100% Resolution at 30 FPS. OBS was consistently recording at those settings with 11% CPU use (dropping to 5% during loading screens), which means there is around 30% CPU time free. But randomly the CPU use of OBS would spike into the 40%'s, taking the total CPU use to 100%, and affecting the game!

I have attached the log file from today's recordings, hopefully they can be of use! The OBS Log analyser couldn't find anything wrong with it. My system settings are:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU: AMD FX 9590 (8-core, 4.7GHz)
RAM: 20 GB
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 7970
VRAM: 3 GB
Storage: 300 GB Internal SSD
3 TB Internal HDD
3 TB External HDD

Hope someone can help! If I've missed something or you need more information, please ask!

Thanks!

 

[Sapiens]

How does your CPU temperature look during those fluctuations?

Edit: If you're just recording locally you might want to check the guide for that at https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/how-to-make-high-quality-local-recordings.16/

 

[Danny McKean]

Hi Sapiens,

Thanks for the reply, I'll see how I get on with that guide. CPU temp is consistent between 45 and 55 degrees under 70% Load, when I am recording. It doesn't change when the CPU spike occurs (it only really goes beyond the 55C with continuous heavy load)

I've just finished a test recording. OBS is still spiking, but it has improved slightly. It is now only spiking for around 1 or 2 seconds, rather than around 5-10s. But it is still having a noticeable impact.

 

[Sapiens]

Does the CPU frequency stay consistent as well?

You might try disabling the Cool'n'Quiet option in your BIOS if you have one.

 

[Danny McKean]

CPU frequency is locked at 4.7 GHz. Cool'n'Quiet and all other power saving options are disabled.