When starting to stream with OBS (OBS Studio), the first obstacle you will likely face is ensuring your PC meets the necessary specifications. If the performance is lacking, the video might become choppy, leading to viewer drop-off and decreased motivation for yourself.

This article explains not only the standards for CPU, GPU, and memory, but also covers the differences between Windows and Mac, specific cooling strategies for laptops, and even some tricks for PCs without dedicated graphics cards.

By the end of this read, you will have a deeper understanding, enabling you to confidently explain what your PC can handle using your own words.

What are the Minimum and Recommended Specs Required for OBS?

The criteria for determining the minimum and recommended specs needed for OBS to function smoothly are as follows.

• The performance of CPU, GPU, and memory is crucial
• Recommended specs differ for “solo use” and “game streaming”
• If you plan on game streaming or recording, specs above the recommended standard are essential

We’ll explain each in detail.

CPU, GPU, and Memory Performance Matters

When it comes to streaming with OBS, three critical components are the “CPU,” “GPU,” and “Memory.” When these three components are up to par, smooth operation and clear images are possible.

The main roles of these components are as follows.

Part	Details
CPU (Central Processing Unit)	Acts like the brain; used for video processing and stream calculations
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)	Responsible for smooth display and processing of images
Memory	Acts like a workspace; insufficient memory can slow down overall operations

Choppy video or mismatched audio is often a sign that one of these components is lacking.

Among these, insufficient memory is a typical cause of sluggish performance, making it a top priority for live streamers using games or browsers simultaneously.

Recommended Specs for “Solo Use” and “Game Streaming” Differ

OBS is a software that requires different specs depending on the intended use.

If you’re just casually chatting in front of a webcam or sharing your screen slightly, you likely won’t need a high-performance computer. Many older desktops or standard laptops can handle these tasks.

However, everything changes when it comes to game streaming. Since games are already taxing on your PC, OBS further processes video conversion and streaming simultaneously. Imagine two people trying to use water from the same tap, causing a drop in pressure.

Guidelines based on usage are as follows.

Usage	Load Required on PC
Casual Chat & Webcam Streaming	Light (moderate CPU/GPU is okay)
Game Streaming	Heavy (high-performance CPU and GPU required)

Exceeding Recommended Specs is Essential for Game Streaming or Recording

If you want to try game streaming or recording and editing later, having a computer that exceeds the recommended specs is a must. That’s because both gaming and OBS apply significant load on your computer.

Excessive load can result in the following issues.

• The screen freezes with each transition, and enemy movements are not smooth
• Characters move as if they are teleporting, making it hard to follow the gameplay
• Audio and video timing are off, mismatching gameplay and commentary

To maintain stream quality, you need to have both gaming and OBS running smoothly at the same time.

If you want to do game streaming or high-quality recording, use “whether I can continue comfortably or not” as your criteria, rather than “whether my current computer can barely run.”

OBS Required Specs Vary by OS

Because Windows and Mac differ in their graphic processing methods and encoding systems, the conditions for OBS to run smoothly also differ.

If you’re concerned about “What should I mind on Windows?” or “Can I stream properly on Mac?” we will explain the necessary specs and points to watch for each OS.

Windows Required Specs

The minimum required specs for using OBS on Windows are as follows.

Part	Details
OS	Windows 10 20H2 (64 bit)
Processor	・Intel i5 2500K ・AMD Ryzen 1300X
Memory	4GB RAM
Graphics	・GeForce GTX 900 Series ・Radeon RX 400 Series ・Intel HD Graphics 500
DirectX	Version 11
Storage	600MB of free space

OBS can launch with the specs above, but performance issues like choppiness and video distortion are likely. For a smoother experience, the following are recommended.

Part	Details
OS	Windows 11 (64 bit)
Processor	・Intel i7 8700K ・AMD Ryzen 1600X
Memory	8GB RAM
Graphics	・GeForce 10 Series ・Radeon 5000 Series ・Intel Xe
DirectX	Version 11
Storage	600MB of free space

Mac Required Specs

The minimum required specs for using OBS on a Mac are as follows.

Part	Details
OS	11 or higher
Processor	Intel quad-core recommended
Memory	4GB RAM
Graphics	・Intel ・AMD
Storage	800MB of free space

Although OBS will run on older Intel Macs, for a smoother streaming experience, it is recommended to choose a computer equipped with an “M1” or “M2” chip.

Recommended specs are as follows.

Part	Details
OS	12.5 or higher
Processor	Intel quad-core or Apple Silicon (M1/M2)
Memory	8GB RAM
Graphics	・GeForce 10 Series ・Radeon 5000 Series ・Intel Xe
DirectX	・Intel ・AMD ・Apple
Storage	800MB of free space
Network	Broadband Internet connection

While OBS offers convenient features like “virtual camera” and “extension functionality,” some plugins are Windows-exclusive. It’s advisable to check if the desired features can be used on Mac beforehand.

Points to Note When Using OBS with a Laptop

Streaming with OBS is possible on laptops as well, but be aware of the performance limitations and necessary precautions.

We’ll explain the recommended spec configurations for OBS on laptops and how to ensure a smooth experience, divided into three key points.

Less Advantageous Than Desktops Due to Poor Heat Dissipation and Limited Component Exchange

Laptops are convenient due to their small size but also have the drawback of being unable to effectively dissipate heat.

This leads to the activation of a safety feature called “thermal throttling,” where the laptop automatically reduces processing power when the internal temperature gets too high.

When thermal throttling is active, the following problems are more likely to occur.

• Choppy video (lower frame rate)
• Audio temporarily stops or desynchronizes
• Recorded data becomes corrupted midway

If you want to use OBS stably on a laptop, the following measures are effective.

• Use a cooling pad or external fan to prevent the bottom’s temperature from rising
• Make sure there is no dust clogging the air vents (fan exhaust ports) ahead of time
• Ensure at least 16GB of memory, preferably 32GB for peace of mind
• Configure memory in pairs (dual channel) to increase processing speed

Many Mobile GPUs Are Incompatible with NVENC and Require Adjustments in Settings

Many GPUs in laptops are energy-saving models and might not be supported by NVENC.

For instance, for patterns like the following, NVENC may be unavailable, or its performance drastically limited.

• Mobile-specific older GPUs like “GTX 1650 Max-Q”
• Devices with only integrated GPUs from Intel or AMD (no dedicated GPU)

When NVENC is not available, alternatives like “Quick Sync” or “AMF” are used, but they have limited processing capacity. To stabilize OBS, lightweight settings that reduce computer load effectively include lowering resolution to 720p, setting frame rate to 30fps, reducing the number of sources (images or browsers) within scenes, setting the encoding preset to “veryfast” or higher, and turning off color correction and filter effects.

• Lower resolution to 720p
• Set frame rate to 30fps
• Reduce as many sources as possible (images and browsers) within scenes
• Set the encoding preset to “veryfast” or above
• Turn off color correction and filter effects

Even Laptops with RTX Models Can Handle OBS Streaming Well

Although it’s often thought that game streaming is impossible on a laptop, laptops equipped with high-performance GPUs like the RTX series are a different story.

Laptops with RTX40 series or above, particularly the RTX 4050 class and up, support high-definition streaming using NVENC. If paired with a CPU like Core i7 or Ryzen 7 and at least 32GB of memory, 1080p 60fps game streaming becomes quite feasible.

However, overheating and power supply issues could still be problematic with laptops. High-performance models can consume over 180W when at full operation, making performance more likely to drop in hot indoor environments.

Those serious about OBS streaming should consider cooling solutions along with GPUs to ensure comfortable streaming.

Can You Meet OBS’s Required Specs Without a Dedicated GPU?

It is possible to use OBS on a PC without a dedicated graphics card. However, it places limitations on what functionalities are available and imposes substantial constraints on game streaming.

For those who want to use OBS at a practical level without a dedicated GPU, I will explain recommended settings and spec considerations from two perspectives.

Streaming and Recording Are at Practical Levels with an Intel Quick Sync-Equipped CPU

Quick Sync is a video encoding function built into Intel CPUs. It allows video compression processing using the integrated graphics processor (iGPU) within the CPU, even without a dedicated GPU.

When using Quick Sync with OBS, ensure the following conditions are met.

• The integrated GPU (iGPU) is enabled in the BIOS.
• Select “QuickSync H.264” or “HEVC” in OBS settings.

Quick Sync provides enough performance for recording and light streaming even without a dedicated GPU. However, if playing PC games and streaming simultaneously, there is a risk of choppy screens and desynchronized audio.

Therefore, it is recommended for lighter uses like webcam streaming or PowerPoint presentations.

Efficient Preset Adjustments Are Crucial When Using Software Encoding (x264)

If hardware encoding is not an option, the fundamental alternative is using “x264” for software encoding.

However, x264 is heavy on processing and burdens the CPU significantly. Without a dedicated GPU, CPU usage can become excessively high, leading to jittery streams and running fans at full blast.

Thus, tweaking the “preset” settings becomes vital.

The preset decides the balance between speed and quality of encoding. Each preset level has its own characteristics.

Detailed information on OBS presets and settings is explained in the following article.

>>Easily Understandable Causes and Solutions for When OBS Is Slow or Laggy

Specifications Required for OBS for Recording Purposes

If you want to use OBS solely for “recording” rather than “live streaming,” a computer with slightly lower performance should suffice. There’s less load on the PC because there is no need to send the video over the internet.

However, in the following cases, you’ll need a laptop or desktop with a decent level of performance.

• Want high-quality videos (Full HD or higher, 60fps, etc.)
• Recording for extended periods (over an hour, etc.)
• Want to edit the recorded footage later

The following are the minimum specs for using OBS for recording purposes.

Part	Recommended Specs	Notes
Memory	8GB or more	If editing, 16GB for assurance
Available Storage	At least 100GB	Can use a lot of space if recording for extended periods
Type of Storage	SSD or NVMe SSD	Faster write speed compared to HDD, reducing the likelihood of recording interruptions

Additionally, the settings for OBS when recording are important as well. To avoid recordings stopping midway or becoming corrupt, review your settings beforehand and ensure there is sufficient available space.

Solutions for PCs That Don’t Meet OBS’s Required Specs

If your computer doesn’t meet the specs needed for OBS, you might still be able to operate quite comfortably by compromising a little in terms of image quality and smoothness.

Here are three recommended settings for making OBS work well even on underpowered PCs.

Adjust Resolution, FPS, and Bitrate

If you want to stabilize operations in OBS, first check the output settings.

For example, simply lowering the resolution from Full HD (1080p) to HD (720p) cuts the computational requirement for video processing by about half. Additionally, decreasing the frame rate from 60fps to 30fps will reduce processing weight, albeit at the expense of smoothness.

Here is a guideline for settings commonly used in recording and streaming.

Resolution	Frame Rate	Recommended Bitrate	CPU Load Estimate
1,080p	60fps	4,500-6,000kbps	High
1,080p	30fps	3,000-4,500kbps	Medium-high
720p	60fps	2,500-4,000kbps	Medium
720p	30fps	1,500-2,500kbps	Low-medium

Review Filters and Effects

Since OBS’s filters and effects are processed in real-time, they place a significant load on your computer.

Especially the following filters tend to be heavy on processing, so caution is needed.

• Noise suppression
• Sharpening/blurring (image processing)
• Chroma key (background compositing processing)
• Using multiple audio filters simultaneously (compression, EQ, etc.)

Additionally, leaving unused sources or scenes can lead to excess processing within OBS. For instance, “hidden browser sources” or “temporarily hidden video materials” might continue processing even when not visible.

Prioritize a lightweight configuration by removing unused images, videos, and browser sources and disabling unused filters.

Utilizing Hardware Encoding

In OBS, the load on the computer varies based on which component handles the encoding process that creates and outputs the video. Leveraging hardware encoding can maintain image quality while lightening the processing burden.

Depending on which components are used, the corresponding hardware encoding method is available.

PC Part in Use	Compatible Encoding Method
PC with NVIDIA GPU	・NVENC (Encoder) ・H.264 or HEVC
Intel CPU (with integrated GPU)	・Quick Sync ・H.264 or HEVC
PC with AMD GPU or APU	・AMF ・H.264 or HEVC

You can switch between these methods in the OBS settings screen by choosing “Advanced” in “Output Mode” and selecting each method from the “Encoder Settings” section.

What Are the Recommended Computer Configurations That Meet OBS’s Required Specs?

If you want to use OBS without stress, the required configuration changes based on “what you want and how much you seek.”

For casual chat, even lighter PCs are fine, but for game streaming or high-quality recording, more substantial performance is needed.

Here we provide recommended configuration examples by purpose, whether “seriously wanting to game stream,” “focused on recording,” or “wishing to start as cheaply as possible.”

High-Performance Configuration for Game Streaming

If you want to play the latest 3D games while streaming 1080p or 1440p video with OBS, you will need a highly capable configuration that can handle both gaming and streaming simultaneously.

Below is an example of a high-spec configuration with a good balance for game streaming.

PC Parts	Recommended Example	Reason
CPU	・Core i7-13700K ・Ryzen 7 7700X	Multi-core, high-clock capabilities for simultaneous game and stream processing
GPU	・RTX 4070 ・4070 Super	Latest NVENC for high-quality streams
Memory	32GB (DDR5 recommended)	Sufficient for simultaneous use of games, OBS, browsers, recording software, etc.
Storage	1TB NVMe SSD (for OS and games) +2TB HDD (for recording storage)	Although HDD is okay for recordings, SSD is recommended for high-bitrate recording

Recording-Focused Configuration

As there’s no real-time transmission in recordings, high-quality recording is possible with stable CPU performance and high-speed storage.

PC Parts	Recommended Example	Reason
CPU	・Core i5-13400 ・Ryzen 5 7600	High processing capabilities allow smooth recording and editing workload management
GPU	RTX 4060 or above	Equipped with NVENC for high-quality recordings
Memory	16-32GB	16GB is useful for Full HD recording, but higher capacities (32GB) better suit 4K or editing software
Storage	2TB NVMe SSD recommended (at least a SATA SSD)	While HDD is inexpensive, write speeds are slower and pose risks of file corruption at high-bitrate recordings

Since there is no concern with network stability when recording, you can have more leeway with specs compared to streaming. However, it is crucial not to compromise on available storage capacity.

Low-Budget Configuration

For those who want to start with OBS for now and wish to keep costs down, a budget-focused configuration that can be built for around 100,000 yen (about $900) is recommended.

Below is a configuration that allows comfortable use of OBS, even under budget constraints.

PC Parts	Recommended Example	Reason
CPU	・Core i5-12400 ・Ryzen 5 5600	6 cores and 12 threads to cover essential performance for streaming and recording
GPU	・GTX 1660 Super ・RTX 3060	Both support NVENC, making them ideal for OBS
Memory	16GB (8GB×2)	OBS often has multiple applications running simultaneously, with 16GB being the standard for smooth operation
Storage	500GB SSD (for OS and OBS) +1-2TB HDD (for recording storage)	While SSDs are preferable for high-bitrate recordings, lighter storage can work with HDD too

The specs recommended for VTubers are explained in more detail in the following article.

>>Guide to Choosing the Best PC Specs for VTubers by Genre

Summary

To use OBS comfortably, it is essential to choose a computer with specs that suit your purpose and to manage the software’s settings to reduce the load.

When starting to stream with OBS, the key points to check are as follows.

• A mid-range spec is fine for chat-centered content
• Game streaming requires high-performance CPU and GPU
• For laptops, heat dissipation and memory capacity are crucial
• When focused on recording, prioritize storage speed and capacity
• Light streaming is possible without a GPU using Quick Sync

Ensure an optimal environment for OBS operation and enjoy continuing your desired streaming style.

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