OBS Recording and Streaming Settings
Last updated: September 1, 2026
There is no single correct configuration, but there are sensible defaults. These values suit a typical Windows desktop and are a good place to start before you tune anything.
Recording settings
- Output mode: Advanced.
- Format: MKV during capture, remuxed to MP4 afterwards.
- Encoder: NVENC / AMF / Quick Sync for low overhead, x264 for maximum quality per megabyte.
- Rate control: CQP 20–23, or CBR at 20,000 kbps for 1080p60.
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds for compatibility with editors and uploads.
- Audio: 192 kbps, 48 kHz, separate tracks for voice and system sound when you plan to edit.
Streaming settings
- Rate control: CBR, always.
- Bitrate: about 70% of measured upload — 4,500 kbps at 720p60, 6,000 kbps at 1080p60.
- Keyframe interval: 2 seconds.
- Preset: veryfast for x264, Quality for NVENC.
- Profile: high.
- Audio: 160 kbps AAC.
Video settings
Base canvas matches the monitor. Output resolution matches the canvas for recordings, scales down for streams. Downscale filter: Lanczos. Frame rate: 30 for slide-based content, 60 for games and anything with fast motion.
Advanced settings worth changing
Set the process priority to Above Normal when recording games, enable the network optimisations only if you actually see network drops, and turn on automatic reconnect for long streams. Colour format NV12 with Rec. 709 and limited range remains the safe default for both recording and streaming.
Platform-specific numbers for Twitch are on the Twitch page, and hardware limits are described under system requirements.