Nvidia Nvenc Vs X264 Obs: Who Will Win Encoding Battle

The modern live streaming that has gained immense popularity today was made possible by the introduction of video encoding, particularly Nvidia Nvenc and x264.

In summary, video encoding is the process of compressing RAW video files into digital formats, which significantly saves disk space. For instance, when your capture card for OBS receives the signal from your console during streaming, the video encoder processes these signals and produces digital videos.

Furthermore, file compression is not the only benefit. Video encoders enable the preservation of the original image quality during processing.

In other words, the video quality of your games remains intact once it is converted into game footage for streaming. Therefore, video encoders are essential for maintaining high stream quality.

In this article, we will compare two video encoders: the Nvidia encoder and X264. By the end, you should have a clearer understanding of how these two encoders function and their differences. This will enable you to select the one that is more suitable for your streaming setup.

Two points will be discussed:

Nvidia Nvenc Encoder

The Nvenc encoder was once regarded as an encoder that could not compete with the video quality of X264. However, with the introduction of RTX video cards, the quality of Nvenc’s encoding has significantly improved.

GPU Encoding

The primary advantage of the Nvidia Nvenc encoder is that it utilizes the GPU for the encoding process. This means that your CPU remains free, allowing the Nvidia GPU to handle all the encoding tasks.

For a slower CPU, this is highly advantageous because the CPU usage is entirely dedicated to the other processes that are running while you play games. This guarantees improved quality for both your game performance and your stream performance.

Previously, the old Nvenc encoder lacked the capability to encode a 1080p video at 60 frames per second.

However, with the introduction of modern Nvidia graphics cards, GPU usage was regulated, allowing Nvidia to enhance the quality of its encoder.

The new Nvenc, when utilized with RTX cards, can now produce high-quality frames at an elevated frame rate. Furthermore, we can confidently assert that the Nvidia Nvenc encoder is now among the best when compared to other encoders.

Nvenc Encoder Handles Rapid Changes in Images More Effectively

If you play games that feature fast-paced gameplay and contain numerous details in each image, Nvidia Nvenc performs better with these types of games.

Nvidia Nvenc encoder is significantly better at detecting these small graphic details, allowing it to produce much sharper video quality compared to X264.

With the X264, some frames may be skipped, resulting in a blurrier image, particularly in scenarios where a game contains many small elements that change rapidly.

The Nvenc is coded for greater speed, which is particularly noticeable in car racing games where numerous thin lines continuously pass and shift across the screen.

Nvidia Nvenc Produces Much Clearer Text

Many games feature extensive in-game text throughout the gameplay, which appears in the game’s environment, during character conversations, cutscenes, and more. Here, the difference is quite noticeable.

The Nvenc feature with the Nvidia card can accurately encode any text present in the background. This high quality ensures that the text is fully legible.

With the X264, numerous frames are dropped, and text often appears completely illegible, particularly when it is in the background.

This is unacceptable if you aim to achieve a professional stream quality. Such blurry details can significantly harm the overall representation of your stream, and in this case, the Nvidia Nvenc is clearly superior to the X264.

X264 Encoder

The X264 encoder has been utilized for a long time and is well-known for its reliable performance. However, with the advancement of the gaming industry and streaming, additional settings and features have gained significance in video encoding.

Nevertheless, it is regarded as one of the best OBS encoders. However, we have observed that encoders like Nvenc perform better in certain areas.

CPU Encoding

While the Nvenc encoder utilizes the GPU, the X264 relies on the CPU for encoding. This method is regarded as the most reliable for encoding and transferring precise frame data. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with OBS settings, with OBS Studio being the most popular streaming software.

However, this could also pose a significant problem. The CPU may become overly burdened by all the processes that demand its resources.

When streaming, in addition to the game you are playing, you need to run OBS and the encoder. As a result, your CPU must handle all these tasks simultaneously, which can significantly reduce the maximum quality of your stream, particularly if you are playing a game with fast-paced action.

Nonetheless, if you have a PC with a powerful CPU, X264 can achieve performance comparable to Nvidia Nvenc. However, it is important to note that GPU encoding is generally more suitable for gameplay streaming.

The X264 Differentiates More Effectively Between Bright and Dark Colors

When it comes to the various hues in your game’s environment, it appears that the X264 can detect a significantly broader range of color shades.

This is particularly evident when different shades of a single color are used in one image. The X264 codec can make much clearer distinctions between these hues, which can potentially affect the quality of your stream.

CPU rendering can be significantly more precise than GPU rendering. However, these nuances often have little impact on the overall quality of the stream. In many cases, GPU encoding at lower bitrates is a far better choice for streaming.

Conclusion

Of course, the primary question is whether you should choose Nvidia Nvenc or X264 for streaming. Specifically, which encoder prevails in the battle between CPU and GPU encoding?

Overall, for streaming your gameplay, we believe that Nvenc is currently the better option. Modern games require significant CPU usage, and you would need a powerful machine to handle that performance demand.

However, keep in mind that RTX cards are quite expensive, and acquiring an RTX solely for the sake of Nvenc is not worthwhile. Still, if you already own an RTX card, then Nvenc is the best choice for you.

Keep in mind that acquiring a CPU with multiple cores is less expensive than purchasing an RTX card. Additionally, games are gradually becoming more optimized for these CPUs. Therefore, in the future, CPU encoding may improve.

Nonetheless, currently, GPU encoding or the Nvenc encoder is a far better choice for streaming games.

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