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Select your CPU, GPU and stream settings, then click Calculate for your personalised verdict.
x264 vs NVENC vs AMF — Which Encoder Should You Use?
The encoder choice is the single biggest factor in whether your PC can handle gaming and streaming simultaneously. x264 (software encoding) produces the best image quality per kilobit but consumes 15–40% of your CPU depending on resolution, framerate, and preset. NVENC (NVIDIA), AMF (AMD), and QuickSync (Intel) offload encoding to dedicated hardware on the GPU or CPU, reducing CPU overhead to roughly 3%.
x264 Software
- ✓ Best quality per bitrate
- ✓ Works on any GPU
- ✗ 15–40% CPU cost
- ✗ Needs 8+ cores to breathe
NVENC (NVIDIA)
- ✓ ~3% CPU overhead only
- ✓ RTX 40/50: near-x264 quality
- ✓ Dedicated encoder block
- ✗ NVIDIA GPU required
AMF / QSV
- ✓ ~3% CPU overhead
- ✓ Good quality on RX 7000+
- ✓ QSV works on Intel iGPUs
- ✗ Slight quality gap vs NVENC
For most streamers on modern hardware, NVENC or AMF is the correct choice. x264 at fast preset is still preferred by professional streamers who need maximum image quality at low bitrate — particularly for text-heavy scenes like strategy games. Configure your encoder in OBS Studio under Settings → Output → Encoder.
Why the Ryzen 7 7800X3D Is Not the Best Streaming CPU
The 7800X3D dominates gaming benchmarks due to its 3D V-Cache, but it has only 8 cores with a relatively modest multi-threaded score. When x264 encoding at 1080p60 is added on top of an AAA game load, the 8-core limit starts showing. By contrast, a Ryzen 9 7900X (12 cores) or Intel i7-13700K (16 threads) handles the same workload with 20–30% more headroom. If you plan to use x264 at 1080p60, a higher core count CPU is worth more than V-Cache. If you use NVENC, the 7800X3D's gaming advantage stands — CPU streaming load is just 3%.
Use the calculator above to compare how your specific CPU handles both tasks. The FPS Calculator can show you the gaming-only baseline for your CPU and GPU combination.
Bitrate Guide: Twitch vs YouTube Live
Bitrate determines stream quality more than resolution. The platforms enforce different upload caps. Official encoding recommendations are published by Twitch and YouTube.
| Resolution + FPS | Recommended | Twitch Max | YouTube Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| 720p 30fps | 2,500–3,000 kbps | 6,000 kbps | 5,000 kbps |
| 720p 60fps | 3,500–4,500 kbps | 6,000 kbps | 7,500 kbps |
| 1080p 60fps | 6,000 kbps | 6,000 kbps | 9,000 kbps |
| 1440p 60fps | 9,000 kbps | Partner only | 18,000 kbps |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much CPU does OBS actually use?
With x264 at 1080p60 on the fast preset, OBS typically uses 15–25% of a modern 8-core CPU. Switching to NVENC or AMF drops this to roughly 2–4% regardless of resolution and framerate. The exact number depends on your CPU — our calculator uses per-CPU StreamScore ratings derived from multi-threaded benchmark data. You can also verify in real time using the OBS Stats panel (View → Stats while streaming).
Do I need a dedicated streaming PC?
A dual-PC setup (one for gaming, one for encoding) completely eliminates the CPU streaming tax on the gaming machine, but requires an HDMI capture card (~$150–$200) and a second PC. Most streamers with a modern CPU and NVENC/AMF do not need one. A dedicated stream PC becomes worth it when: you are streaming competitive titles at 240fps where every percent of CPU matters, or your primary CPU scores "Upgrade Required" even with hardware encoding. Our calculator helps you make that call before spending money.
Will streaming increase my electricity bill?
Running OBS adds roughly 10–30W to total system draw depending on encoder. Over 4 hours of streaming per day, that is ~5–11 kWh per month — a minor but real cost. Use our Electricity Cost Calculator for an exact annual figure. If you are also upgrading your GPU for the stream, factor in the new card's TDP with our PSU Calculator.
What OBS settings give the best quality on a budget PC?
On a CPU-limited machine: use NVENC or AMF if available, stream at 720p60 rather than 1080p30 (motion clarity matters more than resolution for gameplay), keep bitrate at 4,500 kbps (Twitch cap for non-partners), and set keyframe interval to 2 seconds. If you must use x264, the veryfast preset cuts CPU load by ~35% vs fast with minimal visible quality loss. See the full quickstart guide at OBS Project Wiki.
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