Question / Help W10 | MicroStutter on Dual Monitor Setup [144hz/60hz]

[Kraezy]

So, you've heard all this before..
2 x Monitor setup, 1 @ 144hz , 1 @ 60 hz, OBS stream / Recordings Stutter - Due to W10 WDM because Win7 didn't have it.

Cause: W10 WDM / 2 different frequencies
Resolution: Buy another 144hz monitor

Whilst this is the general response by most and I have indeed ordered another 144hz monitor so I can function as a 2 x 144hz setup, I still couldn't believe this was the actual cause even after pairing frequencies at 60hz across the board (or in my case even trying Fractional Values and setting custom resolution timings via CRU etc)

OK before you point me in the direction of the numerous threads on this where users couldn't resolve the issue unless they purchased a second 144hz, I've read them all and tried every fix under the sun within those threads not to mention a few of my own and I was only left with 2 variables, a second 144hz monitor or using a different software platform to record off.

I'm able to stream and record without any micro-stuttering and I couldn't quite believe it... the unfortunate thing is, it means not using OBS.

I won't divulge the software I'm currently using as I'm not sure it's good etiquette to do so, nor am I here to promote OBS users away from OBS but there is a software platform that works with this combination of dual monitor setups and it delivers on par in terms of quality and performance, so it makes you wonder why OBS can't accommodate the same?

FYI: I'll be returning to using OBS once the second monitor arrives but for the time being I'm stoked I've actually got my setup to run, allbeit with a different recording program :(

 

[WizardCM]

OBS can't accommodate the same for a single reason: it's hardware accelerated. Just like your game, just like your web browser, as long as OBS needs to render a canvas (which is required to generate an output), it will remain hardware accelerated. As you've mentioned, the culprit is Windows 10's DWM. As long as you have a hardware accelerated application on the secondary display, things will misbehave. Doesn't matter if it's OBS, or your web browser playing YouTube.

We wish this wasn't the case just as much as you do. Thankfully, Microsoft as recently as last month announced improvements to Windows 10 that lowered the performance impact to OBS when the Game Bar is running, because they understand OBS is used by many gamers. I have my fingers crossed they're looking into the DWM situation to try and solve the issue on their end, too.