OBS Studio is free, powerful, and confusing. Here are the settings that actually work in 2026.
Video Settings
Base Resolution
Set to your monitor resolution, usually 1920x1080.
Output Resolution
1920x1080 for most streams. 1280x720 if your PC or internet is slow.
FPS
60 FPS for gaming. 30 FPS acceptable for talking content.
Output Settings
Encoder
- NVIDIA GPU: NVENC (best quality)
- AMD GPU: AMF
- No GPU/Weak GPU: x264 (uses CPU)
Rate Control
CBR (Constant Bitrate) for streaming stability.
Bitrate
- 1080p60: 6000 kbps
- 1080p30: 4500 kbps
- 720p60: 4500 kbps
- 720p30: 3000 kbps
Keyframe Interval
2 seconds. Required by Twitch and Kick.
Audio Settings
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz
- Channels: Stereo
- Desktop Audio: Your speakers/headphones
- Mic: Your microphone device
Advanced Tips
Scene Collection
Create separate scenes for: Starting Soon, Gameplay, Be Right Back, Ending.
Audio Filters
Add Noise Suppression and Compressor to your mic for professional sound.
The Other Half of Quality
Perfect OBS settings mean nothing without viewers to appreciate them. Many streamers focus so much on technical quality they forget about discoverability.
Once your settings are dialed in, focus on visibility. Services like streamhub.shop help your quality content actually get seen.
Conclusion
These settings work for 90% of streamers. Start here, then adjust based on your specific hardware.