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 B580
Encoder hardware: Intel Arc (Battlemage) 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.
A budget card with AV1, HEVC and H.264 encoding; the AV1 for YouTube is a standout at its price.
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.