Settings for Twitch, YouTube and Kick
| Platform | Encoder (Settings → Output) | Resolution | Bitrate (CBR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch | QuickSync H.264 | 1080p60 (900p60 for fast shooters) | 6,000 kbps |
| YouTube | QuickSync AV1 | 1440p60 | about 17,000 kbps |
| Kick | QuickSync H.264 | 1080p60 | 8,000 kbps |
- Twitch: Twitch's standard ingest is H.264 up to 6,000 kbps.
- YouTube: YouTube gets its better VP9 playback at 1440p; at 1080p60 use about 8,500 kbps.
- Kick: Kick takes H.264 only, with CBR.
Use rate control CBR, keyframe interval 2 s and 160 kbps audio on every platform. These bitrates assume a steady upload of at least 10 Mbps (about 22 Mbps for 1440p on YouTube); the finder sizes them to your real connection.
Encoder preset
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Target usage | Balanced |
| Profile | high |
Install the latest Arc driver; Intel adds encoder fixes often.
Why these settings for the Arc A770
Encoder hardware: Intel Arc (Alchemist) media engine. Codecs: H.264, HEVC, AV1.
Intel Arc cards encode AV1, HEVC and H.264 in hardware, which makes them the cheapest way to an AV1 stream on YouTube.
AV1 for YouTube and H.264 for Twitch and Kick; update the Arc driver before streaming.
Codecs by platform: Kick takes H.264 only. Twitch's standard ingest is H.264; Enhanced Broadcasting can send HEVC or AV1 where Twitch allows it. YouTube accepts H.264, HEVC and AV1 (OBS 29.1 or newer).
What about the CPU encoder (x264)?
Even on a fast gaming CPU such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the GPU encoder is the better default: it barely touches game performance, while x264 takes CPU time from the game. Use x264 only if your card has no encoder, or on a second streaming PC; start at preset veryfast and move to faster only if OBS shows no encoding lag.
Sources: Windows Central: OBS Studio 29 adds AV1 for AMD RX 7000 and Intel Arc; YouTube Help: Live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions; Kick Help: H.264 only, CBR required. Checked November 13, 2026.