OBS 2025: Best Settings for 1080p/1440p/4K
One profile for streaming, one for recording, zero headaches. These settings work on NVIDIA/AMD/Intel, with fallbacks for x264 CPU.
Encoder cheat sheet
Streaming (upload-limited)
AV1 (if platform supports) → best quality per bitrate. Otherwise NVENC H.264 or AMF/QSV.
Recording (disk-limited)
Use CQP/CRF quality mode. AV1 or HEVC preferred; H.264 if you need max compatibility.
x264 fallback
Works, but eats CPU. Use “veryfast” or “faster” for gaming; don’t tank FPS.
Bitrate & resolution table
| Target | Platform hint | Bitrate (CBR) | Encoder note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p60 | Twitch/YouTube | 6,000–8,000 kbps | AV1/264; keyframe=2; B-frames 2 (4 if allowed) |
| 1440p60 | YouTube preferred | 10,000–16,000 kbps | AV1 shines; 264 ok with high bitrate |
| 4K60 | YouTube | 20,000–45,000 kbps | AV1 or HEVC; ensure upload + storage |
If your upload wobbles, enable Dynamic Bitrate (Advanced → Network) to avoid drops.
Output settings (profiles you can copy)
Stream profile
- Rate Control: CBR • Bitrate: see table • Keyframe: 2
- Preset: Quality (NVENC/AMF/QSV) • Look-ahead: off • Psycho Visual Tuning: on
- B-frames: 2–4 • Max Quality if GPU headroom allows
- Audio Track: 1 (160–192 kbps AAC/Opus)
Record profile
- Container: MKV • Encoder: AV1/HEVC/H.264
- Rate Control: CQP/CRF (NVENC CQP 18–22; x264 CRF 18–22)
- Audio Tracks: 2–4 (game, mic, music, VOD)
- Replay Buffer: on if you clip highlights
Video & scaling
- Base (Canvas): native monitor res. Output (Scaled): your stream target (1080/1440/4K).
- Downscale filter: Lanczos (36 samples) for crisp scaling.
- FPS: 60 for most games; 30 for strategy/retro if bandwidth is tight.
Scene hygiene (no-stutter setup)
- Use Game Capture (not Display) when possible; whitelist anti-cheat exceptions if needed.
- Keep browser sources to a minimum; set them to “Refresh when scene becomes active.”
- Cap your game at 120 or 144 if your GPU is maxed—OBS needs a little GPU headroom.
- Enable NVIDIA Reflex / AMD Anti-Lag in-game for better response while streaming.
Create a “Panic” scene with a still image + music in case the game crashes on stream.
Audio tracks & VOD safety
- Use OBS Advanced Audio Properties to route: Track 1 (Stream), Track 2 (VOD no-music), Track 3/4 (local record).
- Set sample rate 48 kHz, 160–192 kbps per track; add light compressor on mic.
