New GeForce-Optimized OBS and RTX Encoder Enables Pro-Quality Broadcasting on a Single PC

To achieve the best stream quality, top Twitch and YouTube broadcasters use a powerful PC dedicated to running games, and a second powerful PC dedicated to high-quality CPU software encoding. This means purchasing and setting up two PCs, two keyboards and mice, an external audio mixer, and a capture card.

Through our GeForce RTX GPUs and a collaboration with OBS, NVIDIA is enabling all streamers to achieve the performance and image quality of a dual-PC setup with a single RTX PC or laptop -- including PCs based on our new RTX 2060 GPU, and new GeForce RTX Max-Q laptops.

GeForce RTX GPUs feature our dedicated hardware encoder, NVENC, which is an independent section of the GPU used to encode video. This removes the need to encode with your CPU, lifting a massive strain from your system, which in turn ensures your GPU isn’t bottlenecked, giving you better game performance.

We have been collaborating with OBS, the industry-leading streaming application, to help them release a new version with improved support for NVIDIA GPUs. Scheduled to debut at the end of January, the new OBS will reduce the FPS impact of streaming by up to 66% compared to the currently shipping version.

This means higher FPS for your games. In battle royales, such as Fortnite, PUBG and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 - Blackout, framerates are boosted by up to 48% compared to x264 Fast, and 27% compared to x264 Very Fast.

Current GeForce GTX GPUs, 700-Series and newer with NVENC, will also see speedups with these optimizations. StreamLabs will implement these improvements in their client after the OBS release. Users of the StreamElements plugin will be able to use the changes as soon as the new OBS version is released.

GeForce RTX GPUs are up to 15% more efficient (i.e. require 15% less bitrate at the same quality level) than previous-generation Pascal GPUs when streaming in H.264, thanks to architectural improvements to the dedicated hardware encoder, NVENC.

For you as a streamer, this means that GeForce RTX GPUs can stream with superior image quality compared to x264 Fast, and on par with x264 Medium.

Below, you can see an example of how GeForce RTX is able to retain better quality even in the most challenging situations, such as high motion scenes.

With GeForce RTX, text is sharper, and more details are shown on textures, giving viewers a clearer, more comfortable viewing experience.

Twitch recommends streamers use at least 6 Mbps to stream 1080p60. But if your Internet connection doesn’t let you stream that fast, GeForce RTX’s improved efficiency will noticeably improve image quality at reduced bitrates, where image quality is already strained. Just remember to adjust your output to 720p60 for 4-5 Mbps bitrate, and 720p30 for 2.5-4 Mbps bitrate for the best image quality.

When building an audience for your livestream, production quality matters -- you want high quality graphics and a smooth, stutter-free video stream. The encoder improvements of the new GeForce RTX graphics cards and laptops, combined with the performance optimizations in the upcoming OBS release, will allow streamers to achieve pro-quality broadcasts all from a single PC. Happy streaming!