How to Switch OBS to AMD GPU Encoding for Faster Streaming

AMD GPU encoding in OBS works differently than NVIDIA, and you need to turn it on in settings before it appears as an option

OBS Studio does not automatically detect and enable AMD GPU encoding. Even if you own an AMD graphics card, OBS defaults to CPU encoding, which uses much more of your processor and can cause lag during streams. To use your AMD GPU instead, you need to go into OBS settings, enable the AMD encoder, and then select it as your output method. This takes about three minutes and makes a real difference if your CPU is already working hard.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have an older AMD card (using VCE encoding) or a newer one (using HEVC or H.264 hardware encoding). Both are covered below. You will need OBS Studio version 25.0 or newer — if you have an older version, update it first from obsproject.com.

Key Takeaways

AMD GPU encoding must be manually enabled in OBS settings under Output — it does not turn on by itself even when you have an AMD card.
Newer AMD cards (Ryzen 5000 series and newer, or RDNA architecture) support better encoding quality than older models and should be your first choice if available.
After enabling the encoder in settings, you switch to it by opening Settings, going to Output, and changing the Encoder dropdown from "Software (x264)" to your AMD option.
If no AMD encoder appears in the dropdown after you enable it, your card may not support hardware encoding, or your AMD drivers need updating.
GPU encoding frees up CPU resources, which means less lag in games and smoother streams, but the trade-off is slightly lower quality at the same bitrate compared to CPU encoding.

Check that your AMD drivers are current

AMD GPU encoding only works if your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers are the most common reason the encoder does not appear in OBS even though you have an AMD card. Open AMD Radeon Settings (right-click on your desktop and select it, or search for it in Windows) and look for a notification about driver updates. If one appears, install it and restart your computer before opening OBS.

If you are not sure which AMD card you have, right-click on your desktop, select Display Settings, scroll down and click Advanced Display Settings, then look for the GPU name under Display Information. Common AMD cards that support encoding include the Radeon RX 6000 series, RX 5000 series, and Ryzen integrated graphics (the "Radeon" part of newer Ryzen processors). If you have an older card like the R9 290X or R7 370, it may not support hardware encoding at all.

Enable AMD encoding in OBS settings

Open OBS Studio and click Settings in the bottom right. On the left side, click Output. Under the Output Mode dropdown at the top, make sure "Advanced" is selected (not Simple). This shows you all the encoding options.

Look for the Encoder dropdown — it currently shows "Software (x264)" or similar. Click the dropdown and look for an option that includes "AMD" or "H.264 (AMD)" or "HEVC (AMD)". If you see multiple AMD options, choose H.264 unless you specifically need HEVC (which is newer but less compatible with some platforms). If you do not see any AMD option in the dropdown, scroll down to the next section below to troubleshoot.

Once you select the AMD encoder, click Apply and then OK. OBS now uses your graphics card instead of your CPU to encode video. You do not need to change anything else — the default settings work for most streams.

Adjust bitrate and quality settings for your connection

After switching to AMD encoding, you should set your bitrate based on your upload speed. Open Settings again, go to Output, and find the Bitrate field under the Encoder dropdown. A good starting point is 6000 kbps (kilobits per second) if your upload speed is 10 Mbps or higher. If your upload is slower, use 4500 kbps instead. You can always test and adjust after your first stream.

AMD encoding produces slightly softer video than CPU encoding at the same bitrate, so you may want to increase your bitrate by 500–1000 kbps compared to what you used before to match your previous quality. For example, if you streamed at 6000 kbps with CPU encoding, try 6500 or 7000 kbps with AMD. Watch your first stream and adjust down if your connection struggles or up if the quality looks soft.

What to do if the AMD encoder does not appear

If you followed the steps above and still do not see an AMD option in the Encoder dropdown, the most likely cause is outdated drivers. Go back to AMD Radeon Settings, check for driver updates again, and install any that appear. Restart your computer completely (not just logging out) and open OBS again. Restarting clears out old driver files that OBS may have cached.

If drivers are current and the encoder still does not appear, your AMD card may not support hardware encoding. Very old AMD cards (before the R9 290X) do not have this feature. In that case, you can still stream using CPU encoding, but your processor will work harder. If you are planning to upgrade, newer AMD cards like the RX 6600 or RX 6700 XT have reliable encoding support.

One more thing to check: make sure OBS is not running in compatibility mode. Right-click the OBS shortcut, select Properties, click the Compatibility tab, and make sure "Run this program in compatibility mode for" is unchecked. Compatibility mode can prevent OBS from accessing your GPU.

Test your stream before going live

Before streaming to your audience, run a test to make sure the AMD encoder is actually working and producing good quality. Start a stream to a test channel (YouTube, Twitch, or another platform all allow this) and watch the output on another device or window. Look for stuttering, dropped frames, or unusual artifacts. If the stream looks smooth and your game is not lagging, the setup is working correctly.

While streaming, open the OBS Stats window (View menu, then Stats) to see your encoding performance. Look at the "Encoding" line — if it stays below 50%, your GPU has plenty of headroom. If it jumps above 80%, you may need to lower your bitrate or resolution. The "Skipped Frames" number should stay at zero or very close to it; if it climbs during gameplay, your bitrate is too high for your connection.

Switch back to CPU encoding if you need to

If you test the AMD encoder and the stream quality is worse than before, or if you see dropped frames, you can switch back to CPU encoding anytime. Open Settings, go to Output, and change the Encoder dropdown back to "Software (x264)". This does not affect any other settings — your bitrate, resolution, and scene setup stay the same.

Some streamers find that CPU encoding produces better quality for their specific setup, especially if they have a very fast processor and a slower AMD card. There is no penalty for switching back and forth while you test. Many people also use CPU encoding for single-player games where frame rate is less critical, and GPU encoding for competitive games where they need every bit of CPU power available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AMD GPU encoding make my stream look worse than CPU encoding?

AMD encoding produces slightly softer video at the same bitrate, but the difference is small and most viewers will not notice it. If quality matters more than CPU usage, you can increase your bitrate by 500–1000 kbps to match CPU encoding quality. For most streams, the trade-off is worth it because your game runs smoother.

Can I use AMD encoding and NVIDIA encoding at the same time?

No, OBS can only use one encoder per output. If you have both an AMD and NVIDIA card, you can only select one in the Encoder dropdown. You would need to choose which card to use based on which one is connected to your monitor or which one you want to dedicate to streaming.

What is the difference between H.264 and HEVC AMD encoding?

H.264 is older and more compatible with streaming platforms and viewers' devices. HEVC is newer and produces better quality at lower bitrates, but not all platforms support it and some older devices cannot play it. Use H.264 unless your platform specifically supports HEVC and you want to test the quality difference.

Why does OBS say my AMD encoder is not available even though I have an AMD card?

The most common reasons are outdated drivers, running OBS in compatibility mode, or an older AMD card that does not support hardware encoding. Update your drivers first, check the compatibility mode setting, and restart your computer. If the encoder still does not appear, your card may be too old to support it.

Should I use AMD encoding if I am streaming from my laptop?

Yes, especially on a laptop. Laptop CPUs run hot and throttle under load, so using GPU encoding keeps your processor cooler and prevents your stream from dropping frames. Make sure your laptop drivers are current, and monitor your GPU temperature during streams to ensure it does not overheat.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.