How to Set Up OBS Studio for Game Recording

Why OBS Studio for game recording

OBS Studio is a free and open-source application widely used for recording and streaming gameplay. Its flexibility allows you to fine-tune every aspect of the capture, from encoder selection to audio routing, so you can produce high-quality footage without unnecessarily burdening your gaming PC. The goal of this guide is to walk through the settings that deliver clear recordings while keeping the performance impact on your game as low as possible.

If you are also planning to stream your gameplay, the same encoder and quality settings apply, but you will need a solid PC to handle both tasks. See our best gaming PCs for streaming for advice on systems built for simultaneous play and capture.

Selecting the right encoder

The encoder is the component that compresses your video into a file. OBS Studio offers two main categories: software encoding (x264) and hardware encoding (NVENC, AMD AMF, Intel Quick Sync). Hardware encoders use a dedicated section of the graphics card to handle video compression, which frees the CPU to focus on running the game. For example, NVIDIA’s NVENC is an independent part of the GeForce GPU that encodes video without straining the system’s processor. This separation helps maintain smoother gameplay during recording.

If your gaming PC has a GeForce RTX graphics card, NVENC is the recommended choice. The RTX 50 Series includes a ninth-generation NVENC that supports AV1 encoding, which can deliver higher quality at lower bitrates. For systems with an AMD Radeon GPU, the AMF encoder provides similar benefits. Software encoding (x264) can produce excellent quality but consumes more CPU resources, which may lead to frame drops in demanding games. Choose the encoder that best matches your hardware and performance priorities. For help picking a graphics card that suits your recording needs, browse our best graphics cards for PC gaming guide.

• Hardware encoders (NVENC, AMF, Quick Sync) offload video compression to the GPU, reducing CPU load.
• Software encoding (x264) uses the CPU and can offer higher quality per bitrate but at a greater performance cost.
• For most gaming PCs, a hardware encoder provides the best balance of quality and performance.

Configuring output settings

In OBS Studio, navigate to Settings > Output. Under the Recording tab, set the output mode to Advanced to access all options. For the encoder, select your chosen hardware encoder (e.g., NVENC H.265/HEVC or AV1 if supported). Use a rate control method that prioritizes quality: Constant Quality (CQP) is ideal for local recordings because it adjusts the bitrate dynamically to maintain a consistent visual level. A CQP level between 18 and 22 typically yields excellent quality with reasonable file sizes.

Choose a recording format such as MKV. MKV is resilient to crashes; if OBS Studio stops unexpectedly, the file up to that point remains usable. You can later remux it to MP4 if needed using OBS Studio’s built-in remux tool. Set the encoder preset to P5 (Slow) or P6 (Slowest) for NVENC to improve quality, or use Quality for AMF. These presets increase encoding time but do not affect in-game performance because the encoder runs on dedicated hardware.

If you aim to record at 4K resolution, ensure your gaming PC has enough graphics memory to handle both the game and the encoder. Our best 4K gaming PCs list can help you choose a system that meets those demands.

Setting video resolution and frame rate

In Settings > Video, set the Base (Canvas) Resolution to your monitor’s native resolution, for example 1920x1080 or 2560x1440. The Output (Scaled) Resolution should match the resolution you want the recording to be. Recording at the same resolution as your monitor avoids unnecessary scaling and preserves detail. If you need smaller file sizes, you can scale down to 1080p from a higher base resolution.

For the Common FPS value, choose the frame rate that matches your game’s target, such as 60 or 144. OBS Studio will attempt to record at that rate. If your game runs at a higher refresh rate, you can still record at 60 FPS to save file size, but be aware that the recording will not capture the smoothness of higher frame rates. The Downscale Filter should be set to Lanczos (sharpened scaling, 36 samples) for the best quality when scaling down.

Adjusting audio settings

Audio quality is an important part of a game recording. In Settings > Audio, set the Desktop Audio device to your default playback device and the Microphone/Aux device to your microphone if you plan to include commentary. Use a sample rate of 48 kHz, which is the standard for video production. In the Output settings, under the Audio tab, set the audio bitrate to 320 kbps for high-quality stereo sound.

OBS Studio allows you to add audio filters such as noise suppression and gain. For microphone audio, enable the Noise Suppression filter (RNNoise is a good option) to reduce background hum without affecting your voice. Test the audio levels to ensure the game sound and microphone are balanced; the mixer in OBS Studio shows real-time volume levels.

Advanced settings for performance

Several advanced settings can further reduce the performance impact of recording. In Settings > Advanced, set the Process Priority to High. This tells Windows to allocate more CPU time to OBS Studio, which can prevent dropped frames during encoding. Under the Video section, set the Color Format to NV12 (the most widely compatible) and the Color Space to Rec. 709. These are standard for SDR content and require less processing than 4:4:4 formats.

If your system supports it, enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows. This feature, available in Windows 11, can reduce latency and improve the efficiency of GPU tasks, including video encoding. You can find this setting in Windows under Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings. Combining this with OBS Studio’s hardware encoder gives the best chance of maintaining high frame rates while recording. See our guide on how to enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling for more details.

Balancing quality and performance

The ideal OBS Studio configuration depends on your gaming PC’s specifications. A system with a powerful graphics card and a modern CPU can afford higher quality presets and resolutions. For a mid-range PC, using a hardware encoder at a lower CQP value (around 22) and recording at 1080p 60 FPS will keep the performance hit minimal. Always run a short recording of your most demanding game to check for dropped frames or stuttering. If you notice performance issues, reduce the recording resolution or increase the CQP level slightly.

Windows 11 includes optimizations for windowed games that can reduce latency and improve frame rates when recording. Ensure your game is running in fullscreen or borderless windowed mode as preferred, and that Game Mode is enabled in Windows Settings. These features, combined with a well-tuned OBS Studio setup, allow you to capture gameplay footage without compromising the experience. For a budget-friendly gaming PC that can handle recording, consider a prebuilt gaming PC with a capable encoder.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Does using a hardware encoder like NVENC affect game performance?

Hardware encoders are separate from the main GPU cores, so they have minimal impact on game performance. The CPU is not burdened with video compression, allowing the game to use more processing power.

What recording format should I use in OBS Studio?

MKV is recommended because it is resilient to crashes. If OBS Studio stops unexpectedly, the file remains usable. You can later remux MKV to MP4 using OBS Studio’s built-in remux tool.

How do I reduce the file size of my recordings?

Increase the CQP level (e.g., from 18 to 22) to reduce quality and file size. You can also lower the recording resolution or frame rate, or use a more efficient encoder like AV1 if your GPU supports it.

Why are my recordings stuttering or dropping frames?

Stuttering often occurs when the encoder cannot keep up. Lower the recording resolution, increase the CQP level, or switch to a hardware encoder. Also ensure OBS Studio process priority is set to High and that no other demanding applications are running.

Can I record HDR gameplay with OBS Studio?

Yes, OBS Studio supports HDR recording. You need to enable HDR in Windows Display settings, set the color format to P010, and use a compatible encoder (NVENC H.265 or AV1). The recording will be in HDR and can be viewed on HDR displays.

Do I need a separate capture card for recording?

No, OBS Studio can capture gameplay directly from your graphics card using game capture or display capture. A capture card is only needed if you want to record from a separate device, such as a console.

What is the best bitrate for local recording?

For local recording, use Constant Quality (CQP) instead of a fixed bitrate. CQP adjusts the bitrate automatically to maintain quality. A CQP level of 18 to 22 is a good starting point for high-quality recordings.

Should I use the same settings for streaming and recording?

Not necessarily. Streaming requires a lower bitrate to match your internet upload speed, while recording can use a higher bitrate or CQP for better quality. OBS Studio allows separate profiles for streaming and recording.