Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) settings

[HugoVirtuoso]

To those who use Open Broadcaster Software (aka OBS Classic / Studio), what output settings do you use for local recordings? This is what I use:

Output resolution: 1920x1080
Recording format: mp4
Encoder: x264
Rate control: CRF
CRF (setting): 23
CPU Usage Preset: ultrafast
Profile: (none)
Tune: (none)
VFR (Variable framerate): OFF
Audio bitrate: 160
Audio sample rate: 44.1 KHz
Channels: Stereo

I've been using OBS since the beginning of February 2017 and I haven't gone back to XSplit since!

If anyone is reading and is well-versed with OBS, what settings do you recommend for FPS games like Halo? In my experience, I noticed frequent lag with Halo 1 (the original one), but no lag with Halo 2. So far, I get the least amount of lag, if possible, for Halo 1 while recording at high-quality 1920x1080 if I'm using CRF rate control, set at 23, with the ultrafast preset, and with Variable framerate OFF. IIRC, the lag was worse when the Variable framerate setting is ON. Of course, if I'm just recording only PosChengband (or any Angband-based roguelike) alone and without switching to FPS games at all, though continuing on with music in the background, the lag is nonexistent while recording high-quality at 1920x1080 resolution!

[Patashu]

You forgot to list your Encoding > Video Encoding > Max Bitrate setting, which is the most important value for recording videos.

In particular, the higher it is, the more data will be spent per second on making the video look better. This will make the video larger and probably increase CPU usage of OBS as a tradeoff. Fast moving FPSes need a higher bitrate to look good than series of static images like Poschengband. Also, the bitrate is spread out over the resolution, so the bigger your recorded video, the more bitrate you need for it to look as good as it used to.

[HugoVirtuoso]

My OBS Settings -- a clearer picture of my exact OBS settings you're seeing in the thumbnail below

Anyways, note I'm using the Advanced Settings. Because of that (Advanced Settings) and me using CRF, there is no max bitrate...thus not included in my settings in the original post. And note that I'm using OBS Studio, not the Classic version.