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How to Set Up OBS for Streaming: Settings, Scenes, and Output Configuration

Configure OBS for Twitch or YouTube streaming by setting output resolution, bitrate, encoder, and audio levels. This step-by-step guide covers initial setup for first-time streamers.

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Step 1: Download and Install OBS

Download OBS Studio from obsproject.com. Run the setup wizard, it auto-detects GPU encoder availability (NVENC for Nvidia, QuickSync for Intel) and suggests optimal settings.

Step 2: Configure Output Settings

Settings > Output > Output Mode: Advanced Encoder: NVENC H.264 (Nvidia) or QuickSync H.264 (Intel), use GPU encoding if available. Bitrate: 6000 Kbps for 1080p60 on Twitch (partner limit); 4500 Kbps for 720p60.

Step 3: Configure Video Settings

Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920x1080 Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1920x1080 (or 1280x720 for bandwidth-limited setups)

Step 4: Connect to Streaming Platform

Service: Twitch (or YouTube) Stream Key: found in your Twitch/YouTube dashboard under Stream Settings

Step 5: Create Scenes and Sources

Scenes are layouts that you switch between (game scene, starting soon screen, BRB screen). Sources are elements within a scene: Game Capture: captures the game window

Step 6: Set Audio Levels

In the Audio Mixer: set microphone to peak at -10 to -6 dBFS during normal speaking. Set game audio to -20 to -15 dBFS so it is audible but does not compete with voice.

Step 1: Download and Install OBS

Download OBS Studio from obsproject.com.

Run the setup wizard, it auto-detects GPU encoder availability (NVENC for Nvidia, QuickSync for Intel) and suggests optimal settings.

Step 2: Configure Output Settings

Settings > Output > Output Mode: Advanced Encoder: NVENC H.264 (Nvidia) or QuickSync H.264 (Intel), use GPU encoding if available.

Bitrate: 6000 Kbps for 1080p60 on Twitch (partner limit); 4500 Kbps for 720p60.

Keyframe interval: 2 (required by Twitch).

Step 3: Configure Video Settings

Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920x1080 Output (Scaled) Resolution: 1920x1080 (or 1280x720 for bandwidth-limited setups)

Step 4: Connect to Streaming Platform

Service: Twitch (or YouTube) Stream Key: found in your Twitch/YouTube dashboard under Stream Settings

Step 5: Create Scenes and Sources

Scenes are layouts that you switch between (game scene, starting soon screen, BRB screen).

Sources are elements within a scene: Game Capture: captures the game window Video Capture Device: webcam source Audio Input Capture: microphone

Step 6: Set Audio Levels

In the Audio Mixer: set microphone to peak at -10 to -6 dBFS during normal speaking.

Set game audio to -20 to -15 dBFS so it is audible but does not compete with voice.

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Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I stream at on Twitch?

For 1080p60 streaming on Twitch: 6000 Kbps is the Twitch non-partner maximum. For 720p60: 3000-4500 Kbps provides good quality without excessive bandwidth use. For stable streaming, your upload speed should be at least 1.5x the bitrate, a 6000 Kbps stream requires at least 9 Mbps upload speed consistently.

What encoder should I use in OBS?

GPU encoding (NVENC for Nvidia, QuickSync for Intel) is recommended over CPU encoding (x264) for most setups. GPU encoding handles the same quality as x264 at a fraction of the CPU usage, leaving more CPU resources for the game. The quality difference at the same bitrate is minimal for streaming purposes. Use x264 only if your GPU encoder is not available or you are rendering recording files for maximum compatibility.

What resolution and frame rate should I stream at?

For most streamers: 1080p60 is the target for PC gaming content. 720p60 is appropriate if your upload speed or PC performance limits 1080p streaming. 1080p30 is not recommended, 60fps is significantly more watchable for gaming content than 30fps at the same resolution.

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