FPS Stutters while streaming, high end pc.

[InvisionOW]

I'm streaming Overwatch using OBS Studio 0.16.6 (tried with OBS Classic also, with worse results).

My rig:

MSI Z87 MPower

PSU: 750W

CPU: i7-4770K 4.0 GHz

Cooler: NH-D15 dual fan

GPU: Gigabyte GTX1070 G1 Gaming

RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 2x8GB 2300MHz

Stream settings:

Output:

Encoder x264

Bitrate 3000 (My internet is 500/500 mbs)

CPU Usage Preset: Veryfast

Video:

Base Resolution: 1920x1080

Output Resolution: 1280x720

Downscale Filter: Lanczos

FPS: 30

Advanced: Process Priority High (was normal, no difference).

__

My issue:

I have a stable 300 fps while not streaming (low settings), and when I start streaming my fps is still 300. BUT every 1 second my fps drops to 200-250 for some milliseconds, making it horrific to play. (Render scale from 100% - 75% didnt change anything).

Please help!

 

I attached a log-file from OBS. 

2016-11-29 03-45-11.txt

[Praesi]

Try limit the frames to a number that  would make sense. 

[InvisionOW]

@Praesi I've tried locking it to my monitor rate: 144, to 150, to 160, to 200, to 250, to 300. Doesn't matter. 

[Praesi]

7 minutes ago, InvisionOW said:

@Praesi I've tried locking it to my monitor rate: 144, to 150, to 160, to 200, to 250, to 300. Doesn't matter. 

Try set the "prerendered frame" in the Nvidia Controll to "1".

[InvisionOW]

Just now, Praesi said:

Try set the "prerendered frame" in the Nvidia Controll to "1".

I originally had it set to 1, but also tried using "Use 3D application setting" with no luck. 

[Aereldor]

You've either got some extra zeroes in those numbers, or this is a troll post.

[InvisionOW]

Just now, Aereldor said:

You've either got some extra zeroes in those numbers, or this is a troll post.

Can you point out where my extra zeroes are? 

[KyonEXE]

I believe he's saying that 200-250 frames is good.  Not really drops and you shouldn't be able to see them even with a 144 mhz refresh rate monitor.

[InvisionOW]

Just now, KyonEXE said:

I believe he's saying that 200-250 frames is good.  Not really drops and you shouldn't be able to see them even with a 144 mhz refresh rate monitor.

Head into my twitch stream now and see for yourself (twitch.tv/invisionow). 

It's not like I'm not able to play with a locked fps at 144, 200, or 250 when not streaming. It's these horrific drops every second that makes my game very, very choppy.

 

[DarkBlade2117]

Have you tried not downscaling 1080p? I find 720p60FPS streams to be better and less taxing on hardware. Then changing the downscale filter to the least taxing on (says like easiest, but blurry if scaling )

[InvisionOW]

Yes, I'm currently downscaling to 720p, and tried both 30FPS and 60FPS.

For some reason my stream went more and more choppy over time now, and then I tried switching from x264 to NVENC H.264, which put it back up to 300 fps with small stutters down to 250 (my problem last night). 

 

 

[InvisionOW]

After testing a lot with a helpful fella from this post, I reset my CPU overclock from 4.0 GHz to 3.5 GHz, my RAM from 2400 MHz to 1333 MHz (no XMP) and removed my 2nd. monitor which was a 60Hz monitor. 

 

I now run with a single 144Hz monitor and stable 143 fps (when locked at 144 fps), but I'm unable to get a stable 300 fps when unlocking it. I might try to re-clock my CPU and RAM when I wake up later tonight, to see if that helps when still using only 1 monitor. 

 

Does anyone know why my 60 Hz monitor is interfering with my fps, and how to avoid it (without having to unplug it)? 

I'm able to run stable 300 as I've stated, when not streaming, it's just strange that it drains so much from my streaming. 

 

Would it be better if I bought a new 144 Hz as a 2nd. monitor?

Could it be the HDMI -> DVI cable, or the port maybe?

 

 

Thank you so much @KyonEXE! This guy joined my twitch stream, lead me through a lot of testing, showed me examples on his stream, and then came with an idea outside the box: unplug your 2nd. monitor. Haha! Brilliant. 

 

- Invision

 

[KyonEXE]

Yup anytime.  I am surprised that fixed it haha.  Were you able to test any other monitors??

[InvisionOW]

20 hours ago, KyonEXE said:

Yup anytime.  I am surprised that fixed it haha.  Were you able to test any other monitors??

No, unfortunately I don't have any other monitors available at the moment. 
I tried upscaling my RAM again to 2400 mhz which helped around 30-50 fps ingame, then I clocked my CPU again to 4.0 ghz which helped a little also. 

 

Now I don't go above 50% load when streaming + gaming, I don't drop frames when streaming and my temperatures are very good. Only issue is that I'm on a single monitor and that's a bit annoying. 

[KyonEXE]

Well you have a laptop so that's not too shabby.  Better than the stutters for sure hahaha.