Stream/recording quality worsens noticeably when game is in foreground(Dual PC Setup, All Common Fixes Tried)

S

Sakamin

New Member
Hello everyone,

I’m posting here after extensive troubleshooting because I’ve run out of ideas. I’ll try to be as detailed and structured as possible so someone experienced might identify what’s going on.

Core Problem​

When I stream (Twitch) or even record using OBS:

  • The stream/recording bitrate/quality is good until i alt tab into a game
  • This happens ONLY when the game (ARC Raiders) is in the foreground
  • When I alt-tab or put another app in focus → stream instantly becomes smooth
  • This affects:
    • Game capture
    • Display capture
    • Even my webcam feed becomes bad
  • OBS itself shows:
    • ✅ Stable green bitrate
    • ✅ No dropped frames
    • ✅ Preview looks perfectly smooth
The issue is only visible in:

  • Twitch VOD
  • Actual stream output
  • Recording

Hardware Setup​

Gaming PC:​

  • Ryzen 7 7700X
  • 16GB DDR5 6000MHz
  • Originally RX 6600 XT 8GB → upgraded to RTX 5070 12GB
  • Windows 11

Streaming PC:​

  • Ryzen 5 5600G
  • 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
  • RX 580 2048sp

Network:​

  • 500 Megabytes per second download/50 Megabytes per second upload

Streaming Methods Tested​

1. OBS Teleport​

  • Used initially for dual PC setup
  • Result:
    • ❌ Same issue persists
    • Stream becomes bad when game is foreground

2. OBS NDI​

  • Switched to NDI to eliminate Teleport issues
  • Result:
    • ❌ Same behavior
    • No improvement

3. Single PC Streaming (for testing)​

  • Ran OBS directly on gaming PC
  • Result:
    • ❌ Same issue

Capture Methods Tested​

  • Game Capture
  • Display Capture
  • Window Capture
Result:

  • ❌ ALL behave the same
  • Issue persists regardless of capture method

⚙️ Encoder Tests​

On Gaming PC:​

  • AMD encoder (with RX 6600 XT)
  • NVENC (after upgrading to RTX 5070)
  • x264
Result:

  • ❌ No difference
  • Issue persists across all encoders

In-Game Tests (ARC Raiders)​

  • Switched between DirectX 11 and default
  • Lowered resolution (even down to ~936p and 720p60)
  • Capped FPS (tested 180 120 90 FPS and other limits)
  • Observed GPU usage (~70%)
Result:

  • ❌ No change
  • Stream still becomes worse when game is in foreground

Key Observation (Important)​

  • When the game is in foreground:
    • Stream + webcam = bad bitrate / inconsistent
  • When ANY other app is in foreground:
    • Stream becomes perfectly smooth instantly
This behavior is 100% consistent and reproducible.

⚙️ Windows / System Tweaks Tried​

  • Disabled Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
  • Disabled windows game mode via settings and registry
  • Tested different Windows configurations
  • Checked background processes
  • Disabled Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
Result:

  • ❌ No improvement

Network / Internet Tests​

  • Verified internet quality (stable, high upload)
  • OBS bitrate always stable (green)
  • NDI bandwidth confirmed working (2.5GBPS)
  • LAN communication between PCs works perfectly
Result:

  • ❌ Not a network issue

Dual PC Setup Variations Tested​

  • OBS Teleport
  • NDI
Result:

  • ❌ Issue persists across all setups

GPU Upgrade Attempt​

Upgraded from:

  • RX 6600 XT → RTX 5070
Expectation:

  • Better encoding / scheduling / stability
Result:

  • ❌ ZERO change
  • Same exact issue

What This Is NOT​

After all tests, I can confidently say the issue is NOT caused by:

  • Internet / bitrate instability
  • OBS encoder (x264 / NVENC / AMD)
  • GPU performance
  • VRAM limitations
  • Capture method
  • Dual PC method (NDI / Teleport)
  • Resolution or FPS settings

My Current Theory​

This appears to be:

A Windows foreground application scheduling
Click to expand...

Temporary Workaround​

  • Keeping another app in foreground (like a browser):
    • ✔ fixes the issue instantly
But this is obviously not a real solution.

❓ What I’m Looking For​

I’d really appreciate help on:

  1. Is this a known Windows / OBS / GPU scheduling issue?
  2. Any OBS setting or hidden option that addresses this?
  3. Any advanced workaround besides using a capture card?

Final Note​

I’ve tested everything I could think of:

  • Different encoders
  • Different GPUs
  • Dual PC setups
  • Capture methods
  • Network setups
The behavior is always the same:
Foreground game =bad quality stream even the webcam
Background game = smooth stream

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read and help
(i used chatgpt to remind me of everything ive tested because ive been trying to fix this for 3 months now with it to no avail)
 
Ditch PC2 & just use your main PC would be my recommendation. Your 5070 can encode up to (8) concurrent streams.

PC1 is overloaded & needs attention. Rendering lag is GPU overload plain & simple. No Teleport or NDI running will help to reduce load. Change your Multipass setting to qres, fullres is too slow. Test & post a new log.

21:20:15.934: multipass: fullres

21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': stopping
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total frames output: 129564
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total drawn frames: 129563 (129565 attempted)
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 2 (0.0%)

21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': stopping
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Total frames output: 5064
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Total drawn frames: 5067 (5071 attempted)
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 4 (0.1%)
21:59:09.987: [mp4 output: 'adv_file_output'] Waiting for file writer to finish...
21:59:09.987: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 4/5069 (0.1%)

23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': stopping
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total frames output: 237752
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total drawn frames: 237732 (237753 attempted)
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 21 (0.0%)
23:36:56.052: [distroav] NDI Main Output stopped
23:36:56.119: [distroav] NDI Output Stopped. 'OBS PGM'
 
rockbottom said:
Ditch PC2 & just use your main PC would be my recommendation. Your 5070 can encode up to (8) concurrent streams.

PC1 is overloaded & needs attention. Rendering lag is GPU overload plain & simple. No Teleport or NDI running will help to reduce load. Change your Multipass setting to qres, fullres is too slow. Test & post a new log.

21:20:15.934: multipass: fullres

21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': stopping
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total frames output: 129564
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total drawn frames: 129563 (129565 attempted)
21:54:59.355: Output 'NDI Main Output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 2 (0.0%)

21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': stopping
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Total frames output: 5064
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Total drawn frames: 5067 (5071 attempted)
21:59:09.987: Output 'adv_file_output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 4 (0.1%)
21:59:09.987: [mp4 output: 'adv_file_output'] Waiting for file writer to finish...
21:59:09.987: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 4/5069 (0.1%)

23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': stopping
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total frames output: 237752
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Total drawn frames: 237732 (237753 attempted)
23:36:56.052: Output 'NDI Main Output': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 21 (0.0%)
23:36:56.052: [distroav] NDI Main Output stopped
23:36:56.119: [distroav] NDI Output Stopped. 'OBS PGM'
Click to expand...
thank you for the answer
i will try and give you the answer
 
I briefly looked into the game you're playing, it's based on Unreal Engine 5. Frame pacing most likely is playing a part in what you are experiencing. From what I read, v-sync should be disabled to start. You may want to look into it some more on the game's forum since they're the people that should know the best settings to use.
 
hey again , i changed some settings a bit and here is the new log while only using one pc
here is also a very short vod so you can see whats happening once i load into the game , the quality is good until there's too much "motion"i don't understand why it happens even in the cam when its perfectly fine in the menu or when you see me alt tab
www.twitch.tv

Twitch

Twitch is the world's leading video platform and community for gamers.
www.twitch.tv www.twitch.tv
i tested with vsync disabled dw i literally tried everything even capping my fps to 60, always same result
i will also look into the forum you told me about,thanks again
rockbottom said:
I briefly looked into the game you're playing, it's based on Unreal Engine 5. Frame pacing most likely is playing a part in what you are experiencing. From what I read, v-sync should be disabled to start. You may want to look into it some more on the game's forum since they're the people that should know the best settings to use.
Click to expand...
 

Overview of ReBar Issues in Unreal Engine 5​

ReBar (Resizable BAR) can significantly impact performance in Unreal Engine 5, particularly for users with high-end GPUs. Disabling ReBar in the BIOS has been reported to improve VRAM usage and reduce stuttering during gameplay.

Effects of ReBar on Performance​

Performance Improvements​

  • Reduced VRAM Usage: Disabling ReBar can lead to a decrease in VRAM usage, which helps in maintaining smoother gameplay.
  • Fewer Stutters and FPS Drops: Users have noted that turning off ReBar eliminates stutters and FPS drops that occur when moving the camera or during intense graphical scenes.

User Experiences​

GPU ModelReBar StatusVRAM Usage (During Gameplay)Performance Impact
RX 9070 XTOnHigh (maxing out VRAM)Severe stutters and FPS drops
RX 9070 XTOffLower (stable VRAM usage)Smooth gameplay, fewer issues

Recommendations​

  • Disable ReBar: If you experience performance issues in Unreal Engine 5, consider disabling ReBar in your BIOS settings.
  • Monitor VRAM Usage: Use tools like GPU-Z to check your VRAM usage and ensure it remains within optimal limits.
By following these recommendations, users can potentially enhance their experience with Unreal Engine 5 and mitigate performance-related issues.
 
yeah but that is not my issue i dont stutter or lag ingame at all its perfectly smooth my problem is with obs
you can see my vram usage on top left of the clip too its 1/3 of my gpu vram
i will try to disable it and see
 
OBS isn't causing your game to lag & stutter. You may need to try a different source if it still stuttering after REBAR is disabled & the overload is completely eliminated, not there yet. Network isn't holding up too well either, kill the multi-out, you can troubleshoot the network stuff later.

21:45:31.800: Output 'rtmp multitrack video': Total frames output: 9854 (22095 attempted)
21:45:31.800: Output 'rtmp multitrack video': Total drawn frames: 6403 (6405 attempted)
21:45:31.800: Output 'rtmp multitrack video': Number of lagged frames due to rendering lag/stalls: 2 (0.0%)
21:45:31.800: Output 'rtmp multitrack video': Number of dropped frames due to insufficient bandwidth/connection stalls: 12241 (55.4%)
21:45:31.800: [rtmp stream: 'rtmp multitrack video'] Freeing 8288 remaining packets
21:45:31.801: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 2/6346 (0.0%)
21:45:31.858: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 2/6349 (0.0%)
21:45:31.907: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 2/6352 (0.0%)
21:45:31.944: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 2/6354 (0.0%)
21:45:31.980: Video stopped, number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 2/6356 (0.0%)
 
While we're troubleshooting, run your main monitor @ 60FPS & try to get #2 to 60 as well. It's @ 59 now but try to match frame-rates/refresh rates. Get everything running at the closest possible timing.
 
Leave REBAR disabled.

Do you know what this option does? Get rid of it from your encoding settings, wasting resources for stupid B frames.
user opts: lookaheadDepth=4

Run your recording too if you're going to record.
 
rockbottom said:
Leave REBAR disabled.

Do you know what this option does? Get rid of it from your encoding settings, wasting resources for stupid B frames.
user opts: lookaheadDepth=4

Run your recording too if you're going to record.
Click to expand...
user opts: lookaheadDepth=4
should i paste this on custom encoder options?
 
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