DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
Skip to content
DocumentaryTube
Admit one · Blog

How to Limit OBS Frame Rate When Streaming Prerecorded Videos to YouTube

Set OBS's overall output frame rate in Settings > Video > Common FPS Value. Understand the 30-versus-60-fps trade-off and the role of Media Source.
Opened Runtime2 min Written byDocumentaryTube Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

In OBS, go to Settings > Video and select the desired output rate under Common FPS Value. That setting controls the frame rate OBS sends in its overall output; it is not a separate frame-rate cap for a prerecorded video added as a Media Source.

Set the OBS output frame rate

  1. Open OBS and select Settings.
  2. Choose Video in the settings sidebar.
  3. Under Common FPS Value, select the output rate you want, such as 30 or 60 fps. OBS describes this as the desired output FPS. OBS settings overview
  4. Select Apply, then OK, and check the stream output. If performance is poor at 60 fps, try 30 fps.

Changing the output FPS affects the OBS stream, not the frame rate or contents of the original video file. Choose a rate that suits the footage and that your computer can render and encode reliably.

What 30 fps and 60 fps mean for a prerecorded stream

Output rate When it may suit Performance consideration
30 fps A practical choice when you want to reduce work or the footage does not need a higher output rate. OBS recommends trying 30 fps if 60 fps is not working. Fewer frames mean less rendering and encoding work. OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
60 fps When the desired viewing result calls for smoother motion and the system can sustain it. OBS cautions that 60-fps streaming can be more taxing than 30-fps streaming. OBS settings overview

These are choices for OBS output, not a claim about YouTube’s current accepted or preferred frame rates. Check YouTube’s current live encoder guidance if you need platform-specific requirements; exact YouTube recommendations are not established here.

How the prerecorded video source fits in

To play a local recording in OBS, add it as a Media Source and select the video file. OBS documents Media Source playback options such as looping, restarting playback, decoding, and playback speed, and supports formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM. The documented Media Source controls do not provide a separate FPS cap; use Settings > Video > Common FPS Value to set overall output FPS. OBS Media Sources guide

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
ASUS ROG G700 (2025) Gaming Desktop PC, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 265F Processor, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070, 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4 SSD, 16GB DDR5 RAM, Windows 11 Home, G700TF-DS774
  • Fearless ROG Design – The G700’s dual-glass chassis showcases iconic ROG design with the ROG Slash and Aura Sync RGB lighting. Its 58L capacity supports triple-slot GPUs.
  • Unstoppable Power – Equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD PCIe 4.0 storage for seamless gaming and multitasking.
  • Optimized Thermals – Stay cool with a quad-fan system, while dust filters and efficient airflow ensure long-term reliability.
  • Advanced Connectivity – Game without lag with 2.5Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and versatile ports. Dolby Atmos audio and AI noise cancellation enhance sound and communication.
  • Ready for Upgrades – Designed with tool-less access, easily swap out components, ensuring future-proof performance for years to come.

If OBS still struggles

  • Try 30 fps: OBS recommends this when 60 fps is not working. It reduces the number of frames that must be rendered and encoded. OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
  • Consider lowering output resolution: OBS identifies reducing output resolution as another way to reduce GPU resources. Treat it as a separate performance adjustment, not as a frame-rate setting. OBS Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
  • Save alternate configurations in profiles: If you switch between output setups, OBS Profiles can retain settings such as Video and Output for reuse. OBS Studio overview
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is to keep prerecorded video live on YouTube without leaving a computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos in the cloud; it does not stream from a camera. Nothing has to stay on at home. Uploaded video streams at its made quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers, and StreamNeo can recover automatically if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly: $9.99 per month.

Best Value
KOTIN Prebuilt Gaming PC RTX 5070 12GB, Ryzen 7 9700X, 32GB DDR5, 1TB SSD
  • POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
  • 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
  • BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
  • 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
  • READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.
Rank #4
msi Codex Z2 Gaming Desktop, AMD R7-8700F, RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
  • POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
  • NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
  • Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
  • Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
  • Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.
Rank #3
Sale
WIWB Gaming PC Desktop, GeForce RTX 3050 8GB GDDR6, AMD Ryzen 7 4700LE
  • 8-Core 16-Thread Processing Power – Powered by the Ryzen 7 4700LE processor with Zen 2 architecture, delivering 8 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock up to 4.2GHz. Effortlessly handle multitasking, streaming, content creation, and demanding applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
  • GeForce RTX 3050 8GB Graphics – Equipped with 8GB GDDR6 dedicated VRAM and real-time ray tracing support. Experience smooth 1080p gaming at 55-60 FPS in AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, 70+ FPS in Fortnite, and 90-100 FPS in Apex Legends with DLSS enabled. The 8GB buffer handles modern game textures comfortably – a step above 6GB variants
  • High-Speed Memory & Storage – Paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200MHz dual-channel RAM (16GB), the PC ensures responsive multitasking—whether streaming while gaming or editing videos. It also includes a 512 GB NVMe M.2 SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loads, and ample storage for your game library, creative projects, and files.
  • Next-Gen WiFi 6 Connectivity – Stay connected with the latest WiFi 6 technology for faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency. Whether you're gaming online, streaming 4K content, or joining video conferences, enjoy stable, high-speed wireless connectivity.
  • Ready-to-Use Value Desktop – Pre-built and ready to go right out of the box. Perfect for gamers, students, content creators, and home office users seeking reliable performance without the hassle of building a PC themselves. The mature AM4 platform with DDR4 memory offers excellent value and proven stability.
Rank #2
CyberPowerPC Gaming PC, AMD Ryzen 5 5500, Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB
  • System: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6GHz 6 Cores | AMD B550 Chipset | 8GB DDR4 | 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | Windows 11 Home
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB Graphics | 1x HDMI | 1x DisplayPort
  • Connectivity: 4 x USB-A 3.2 | 4 x USB-A 2.0 | 1 x LAN | WiFi 5 | Bluetooth 5.0 | 7.1 Channel Audio
  • Tempered Side Case Panel | Custom RGB Lighting | Keyboard and Mouse
  • 1 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Free Lifetime Tech Support

See StreamNeo for details, or start your free day.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Screening Room

  1. Mexico’s Drug War BBC DocumentaryAdmit one · CrimeMexico's Drug War BBC DocumentaryOpened05 OCT 2026Runtime2 min
  2. Vincent Moon and Naná Vasconcelos: The World’s Hidden Music RitualsAdmit one · Personal TriumphsVincent Moon and Naná Vasconcelos: The World's Hidden Music RitualsOpened05 OCT 2026Runtime2 min
  3. 100 Greatest Discoveries – Origins And EvolutionAdmit one · Science100 Greatest Discoveries - Origins And EvolutionOpened05 OCT 2026Runtime3 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.