How would I get more people to look at my work?
Most new streamers just download OBS, hit "Start Streaming" and wonder why their stream looks like a slideshow. Here's what's actually going on:
1. Encoder: Use NVENC, not x264
If you have an NVIDIA GPU, switch to NVENC (new). x264 uses your CPU and will tank your game performance. NVENC offloads encoding to your GPU's dedicated hardware encoder.
2. Output resolution ≠ Canvas resolution
Set your canvas to your monitor's native res (usually 1920x1080), but your output to 1280x720 if your upload speed is under 10 Mbps.
3. Bitrate matters more than you think
720p @ 30fps → 2500-4000 kbps
720p @ 60fps → 3500-5000 kbps
1080p @ 60fps → 6000+ kbps
Run a speed test and set bitrate to ~75% of your upload speed.
4. Audio: Use filters
Add these to your mic source in order: Noise Suppression (RNNoise) → Gain → Noise Gate → Compressor. You'll sound 10x more professional.
5. Scenes aren't just for "Starting Soon" screens
Set up scenes for: gameplay, BRB, just chatting, and ending. Transitions between them make your stream feel polished.
These 5 things will put you ahead of 90% of new streamers. Want the full setup walkthrough? Join Apex Hub — it's free.