For OBS on a supported Windows PC, set the GPU preference in Windows Graphics settings according to how you capture the picture: OBS recommends High Performance for Game Capture or Window Capture, and Power Saving for Display Capture. This is separate from choosing a video encoder in OBS. A local video playing through an OBS media source is not automatically a game-capture case, so do not change GPUs just because the stream loops.
Choose the GPU preference for your capture method
This setting is most relevant on laptops and PCs with more than one GPU. It tells Windows which GPU should run OBS; it does not select the encoder that compresses the outgoing video. OBS’s documented recommendations are specifically for the listed capture methods, rather than every possible media-source or capture-card setup. OBS GPU Selection Guide
| What OBS captures | Windows GPU preference recommended by OBS |
|---|---|
| Game Capture | High Performance |
| Window Capture | High Performance |
| Display Capture | Power Saving |
| Local video added as a media source, or another capture arrangement | The guide does not give a specific recommendation. Identify the actual capture path and test before changing the preference. |
Set the preference in Windows
- Close OBS before changing its graphics preference.
- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics. These instructions apply to Windows 10 version 1809 and later, and Windows 11.
- Add or select the OBS executable:
C:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe. - Choose High Performance for Game Capture or Window Capture, or Power Saving for Display Capture, then save the preference.
- Reopen OBS and test the actual scene and loop. If you use a media source rather than one of the three capture types above, keep the current arrangement unless testing shows a problem.
Choose the encoder separately in OBS
After selecting which GPU runs OBS, choose an encoder in OBS’s Output settings. The Windows graphics preference and encoder are different controls: the former assigns OBS to a GPU, while the latter determines how video is encoded. Select only an encoder supported by the installed hardware, OBS version, and intended output. OBS says hardware encoding can move encoding work from the CPU to a specialized component in a GPU; that does not guarantee a benefit on every setup. OBS Hardware Encoding
Do not assume every GPU generation or operating system offers the same encoder options. Advanced NVENC controls are NVIDIA-specific and depend on OBS version and hardware; consult the relevant OBS documentation rather than applying settings intended for another generation. OBS Advanced NVENC Options (31.0)
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Match output to YouTube and your upload capacity
YouTube’s live encoder guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS ingestion and H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1. It recommends CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, with a maximum interval of four seconds. Recommended bitrate varies by codec, resolution, and frame rate; the figures below are YouTube’s recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular internet connection can sustain them. Check YouTube’s current table for your exact output before going live. YouTube live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
| Output | AV1 or H.265/HEVC | H.264 |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 24 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K) at 60 fps | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
These are YouTube-published recommended bitrates in the guidance accessed October 3, 2026. Use the value for the chosen codec and target output, and confirm that your sustained upload can support it. The OBS GPU setting cannot compensate for insufficient upload bandwidth or an unsupported codec.
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Test the loop before changing hardware
- Run the exact scene and media loop you intend to stream, using the target resolution, frame rate, codec, and bitrate.
- Check OBS statistics for rendering or encoding overload and watch YouTube’s stream health during a test. YouTube recommends testing before the stream; resolve visible or reported issues before leaving a long-running stream unattended.
- If OBS reports overload, inspect resource use and reduce competing GPU workloads. OBS also suggests trying to run OBS as administrator on Windows as a troubleshooting option; it is not a guaranteed fix. OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
- Change one variable at a time—capture method, GPU preference, encoder, output settings, or competing workload—and repeat the test. Consider hardware changes only if the measured bottleneck remains after troubleshooting.
Common GPU-selection problems
- Black or missing capture after changing GPUs: Recheck that the Windows preference matches the capture method. OBS’s guide recommends High Performance for Game/Window Capture and Power Saving for Display Capture; close OBS before changing the preference again.
- GPU selection did not change CPU load: The Windows preference chooses which GPU runs OBS, not which encoder OBS uses. Review the encoder separately in Output settings.
- Rendering or encoding overload persists: Check OBS statistics and resource use, reduce competing GPU work, and test the Windows administrator troubleshooting option. Do not infer from a loop alone that a new GPU is required.
- YouTube reports poor stream health: Check the selected codec, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, keyframe interval, and available upload capacity against YouTube’s guidance; then retest.
- The expected encoder is missing: Encoder availability depends on installed hardware and software support. Choose an available supported option rather than assuming a particular GPU feature exists.
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Quick Recap
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