Game On: Master the Lag-Free Way of Recording CS:GO with OBS

How to Record CS:GO with OBS No Lag: A Complete Guide

If you’re a fan of CS:GO, there’s a good chance you’ve considered recording your gameplay to share with friends or even make some money from your skills. However, it can be frustrating when your recordings are laggy or low-quality. That’s where OBS comes in. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you need to take to record CS:GO with OBS without any lag.

What is OBS?

OBS or Open Broadcaster Software is a popular, free, and open-source streaming and recording software. It allows streamers and content creators to capture and broadcast content from their desktop, webcams, and even games.

Why Use OBS for CS:GO Recording?

While there are many recording software options available, OBS is a popular choice for CS:GO. It offers a range of options to customize and optimize your recordings, including:

  • Open Source Code: more flexibility and greater control over your recordings
  • Lightweight: it doesn’t consume too much CPU or GPU space
  • Zero-Lag: your recordings won’t slow down your gameplay
  • Free of charge: no hidden costs or additional features to purchase

Requirements for Recording CS:GO with OBS

Before we proceed to the actual steps, it’s important to ensure that you have the necessary hardware and software requirements to record CS:GO with OBS no lag. Here’s what you need:

Hardware Requirements

  • A good gaming PC: Ideally, your PC should at least have a minimum of 6 GB RAM and an i5 or better processor. Also, pay attention to your graphics card since it will influence the quality of your videos.
  • A microphone (optional): If you want to add your voice to your videos, you will need a separate microphone.

Software Requirements

  • OBS: Download OBS from the official website and install the software on your machine.
  • Video Codec + Media Player: Make sure that you have essential codecs like H.264, HEVC, and a media player that can handle high-res. videos.

Steps to Record CS:GO with OBS No Lag

Now that we have covered the minimum requirements let’s start with the process of recording CS:GO with OBS no lag. We will divide the process into smaller steps to make it easier for you to follow.

Step 1: Add CS:GO to OBS

  1. Open OBS
  2. Click the “+” icon under the “Sources” window to add a source
  3. Select “Game Capture” from the list of options and click “OK”
  4. Name the source according to your preferences and click “OK”
  5. Select CS:GO from the “Window” drop-down menu or select “Capture Any Fullscreen application” if you’re running the game full-screened.

Step 2: Optimize OBS Settings

Now, we have successfully added CS:GO to OBS. It’s time to optimize the settings of OBS to make sure everything runs smoothly without any lag.

Setting up Video Resolution and Frame rate
  1. Click “Settings” from the bottom right-hand side of the screen
  2. Select “Video” from the left-hand side of the menu.
  3. Under “Resolution,” select your desired resolution. We recommend using 1920×1080.
  4. Under “Common FPS Values,” select your desired FPS value. We recommend selecting 60 FPS.
  5. Once you have made the changes, click “OK” to apply them.
Optimizing Encoder Settings
  1. Click the “Output” tab on the left-hand side of the settings menu.
  2. Under “Output Mode,” select “Advanced.”
  3. Set the “Encoder” to x264.
  4. Change the “Rate Control” to CBR.
  5. Target bit rate should be 6000 kbps, and your peak bit rate should be18000 kbps.
  6. Set your profile to High.
  7. Select “Main” for “Keyframe Interval.”
  8. Leave “CPU Usage Preset” at “veryfast.” You can increase this preset when streaming, but for local recordings, there’s no need to.
  9. Apply the changes by clicking “OK.”

Step 3: Record the CS:GO gameplay

Now that you’ve added CS:GO to OBS, changed the required settings, and created a scene, it’s time to record your gameplay.

  1. Click “Start Recording” or press “Ctrl + Alt + R.”
  2. A recording status indicator will appear in the top right-hand corner of the OBS screen to indicate that your gameplay is being recorded.
  3. Play your game until you’re done with the recording.
  4. Press “Stop Recording” or press “Ctrl + Alt + R” again to stop the recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended OBS video settings for recording CS:GO?

For the best video quality, we recommend recording at 1080p and 60 FPS.

Is it possible to record without any lag using OBS?

Yes. If you use the recommended hardware requirements and optimize your OBS settings as described above, you will be able to record your gameplay without any lag.

What are the best settings for game capture in OBS?

We recommend selecting “Capture Any Fullscreen application” if you’re running the game full-screen. Otherwise, manually select the specific game from the “Window” drop-down menu.

Conclusion

Recording CS:GO gameplay with OBS is an easy and straightforward process if you follow the steps and recommendations in this article. With some optimization and tweaks, you can set yourself up for success and create high-quality content to share with your friends or even upload online.