Anyway to reduce lag from streaming? (Full Specs attached, please help)

[Hauke]

EDIT: Problem has been solved.

I had additional issues with my IGPU and my AMD hardware encoding caused lag. I found a hardware solution by throwing an old Nvidia 460 SE card into my tower and manually selected Nvidia Hardware encoding. No performance reduction from in home streaming!


Host Computer Specs:
I7 6700k Skylake CPU OCed to 4.6 GHZ
AMD Sapphire Radeon R9 Fury X
16 GB DDR4 RAM
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Mobo
700 Watt Thermaltake PSU

Streaming Options Enabled:
Prioritize Network Traffic

Client Computer Specs
I7-4510U @ 2.6Ghz
Nvidia Geforce 840M
8 GB DDR3 Ram

Streaming Options Enabled:
Limit Bandwidth is set to Unlimited
Limit resolution is set to 720p
Client options: set to Fast

Currently utilizing a wired connection with Cat 5e. I haven't tested network throughput but I know I'm getting at least 100 MBPS.

When playing Fallout 4 on the host computer alone I get 60 FPS in most areas. While streaming I dip down to 45-50 fps in those same areas.

What else can I do to prioritize FPS for streaming? I googled a bit and found something about encoding with my Intel CPU using Quick Sync, but it appeared to just be used for actual streaming to Twitch for instance.

Also what does enabling hardware encoding on the host and hardware decoding on the client even do?

Any help here would be appreciated.

[Tucu]

With those specs you should be able to stream at 1080p60 in Beautiful in most games.
Things to check:
-Is your iGPU enabled in your gaming PC BIOS?. This will let you use Quicksync encoding
-Have you enabled hardware decoding in the client?
-Have you enabled hardware encoding in the host? With your setup you have the options of Intel Quicksync, AMD hardware encoding or software encoding. Use the one that works better for each game.
-Set the Bandwidth limit to Automatic or 30Mbps. Unlimited should not be used.

[Hauke]

Hi Tucu,

My integrated graphics card is currently enabled and I'm using it to extend my desktop to a fourth display. I have 4 displays on my gaming computer. Would that cause a problem?

When I enable hardware encoding and decoding my stream does not work properly. The graphics fail to render properly and the stream looks *scrambled* or washed away. Is there a way to choose which encoding to use?

[Tucu]

Originally posted by Hauke:

Hi Tucu,

My integrated graphics card is currently enabled and I'm using it to extend my desktop to a fourth display. I have 4 displays on my gaming computer. Would that cause a problem?

When I enable hardware encoding and decoding my stream does not work properly. The graphics fail to render properly and the stream looks *scrambled* or washed away. Is there a way to choose which encoding to use?

Yes, use the latest beta and switch to Big Picture Mode. Valve has added settings to switch encoders (the change will come to the normal Steam client at some point). You should also enable the Performance Overlay to be able to see what resolution, encoder and bitrate is being used.

[Hauke]

Hi Tucu,

If I enable hardware encoding with my Intel GPU the stream on the client is washed away and unreadable. If I enable hardware encoding with my AMD hardware the stream blinks every quarter second. Any advice on this? I have of course ensured I am using hardware decoding on my client, is that correct?

[Tucu]

Activate the performance overlay and take a snapshot with each encoder. Upload the resulting screenshots to imgurl. It will help understand what you are experiencing.

I am using a 2500K with a 290X and I have no issues when streaming to a Windows PC. I have some issues in some games when streaming to the Steam Link, but you are not using one.

[Hauke]

Here you are,

http://imgur.com/a/sIvTl

The top image is AMD and the bottom one is Intel.

Amd stutters and blinks. Intel is completely messed up.

[Tucu]

Originally posted by Hauke:

Here you are,

http://imgur.com/a/sIvTl

The top image is AMD and the bottom one is Intel.

Amd stutters and blinks. Intel is completely messed up.

Are you using any type of 3rd party overlay (Fraps, Origin, AMD Gaming evolved)? If so, disable them and try with Quicksync again.
Flickering is affecting other AMD users, but it only happens once to me. Can't remember the game or what other settings I was using. This one will probably need a new release to completely go away.

[Hauke]

I think I found the problem. The initial menu for FO4 is messed up but if I press the play button it fixes itself and the game loads and works perfectly. Strange, yet awesome.

Thank you for help setting up the encoding / decoding!