Too low CPU usage

R

rob444

New Member
Hello!
I streamed for like 30-40 minutes today and while I did, I felt most of the time the game felt sluggish, lagging. Like micro-stuttering or something similar. The game is a simple platformer game and Nvidia was showing over 60 FPS at all times. Usually it indicates that the CPU is bottlenecking or Vsync is off however, vsync was on and CPU usage - accoring to OBS was very low (like 10%?!).
I'm playing on a six~ year old machine now so my CPU isn't really up to date but when it's not using more CPU when it could, there must be something off somewhere, maybe in my settings? When I streamed on my previous PC, platform games (2D) worked without some sort of performance degradation.
The encoding is using software (x264) at 2500 kbps. Streaming 720p @ 60 FPS (downscaled from 1080p).
I could provide you with CPU/GPU but it sort of feels unnecessary since a similar stream environment used to work on my computer from 2010 (on 2D platform games)?

Other info:
I'm using game capture and in the old days that used GPU resources from what I was told here at the forums. Should I use something else?
 
qhobbes

qhobbes

Active Member

Please post a log with your issue! Here's how...

OBS Studio creates a log file each time you run it which contains very useful diagnostic information. Without a log file, it's much harder for any support volunteers to figure out problems and your post may be ignored. To upload a log file, go to the Help menu > Log Files > Upload Last Log...
obsproject.com obsproject.com
 
Sukiyucky

Sukiyucky

Member
So the problem you are having is lag, micro stuttering while playing a game. There are a lot of things that can be going on.

Since you are on a 6yr old computer, I imagine its on a low multicore CPU like a AMD FX or Intel 2 Core/4Thread. If so, doing x264 on those systems is really CPU usage taxing and you are likely running into encoding lag. The best thing to do since you are running a NVidia GPU is to use the onboard H.264 encoder called NVENC. This will let the GPU do the encoding to let the GPU do the encoding, rather than your CPU, thus reducing CPU usage that can be devoted more towards the game.

Just go to OBS Output and select Output Mode to Advanced
Click the Streaming tab and do the following:
  • Audio Track 1
  • Encoder NVENC
  • Rate Control CBR
  • Bitrate 3500-6000
  • Keyframe Interval 2
  • CPU Usage Preset veryfast (or go lower)
  • Profile Main
Make sure you have your Nvidia driver updated by using GeForce Experience and that you are using the current version of OBS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top