Best CPU for ultra high quality live streaming: July 2014

[HiImLucky]

I am in search of a CPU for my streaming PC that will work alongside my gaming PC to deliver the highest quality stream possible without any 'Taking too long to encode' issues. I am hoping to stream with AT LEAST these settings in OBS:

>VIDEO ENCODING
Encoder: x264
Use CBR: False
Enable CRB padding: True
Quality Balance: 10
Use Custom Buffer Size: True
Max Bitrate (kb/s): 3500
Buffer Size (kbit): 3500

>AUDIO ENCODING

Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 160
Format: 48kHz
Channel: stereo

>VIDEO

Resolution Downscale: None (1920x1080)
FPS: 60

>ADVANCED

x264 CPU Preset: Slower

I'd like to spend the least amount possible, AMD or Intel.

 

[TopLuca]

I think If you want to stream/Record then you can't go wrong with AMD's FX-8350

 

[KyleADunn]

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

 

[XtremeAero426]

I am in search of a CPU for my streaming PC that will work alongside my gaming PC to deliver the highest quality stream possible without any 'Taking too long to encode' issues. I am hoping to stream with AT LEAST these settings in OBS:

>VIDEO ENCODING
Encoder: x264
Use CBR: False
Enable CRB padding: True
Quality Balance: 10
Use Custom Buffer Size: True
Max Bitrate (kb/s): 3500
Buffer Size (kbit): 3500

>AUDIO ENCODING

Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 160
Format: 48kHz
Channel: stereo

>VIDEO

Resolution Downscale: None (1920x1080)
FPS: 60

>ADVANCED

x264 CPU Preset: Slower

I'd like to spend the least amount possible, AMD or Intel.

The FX-4130 is a good CPU for a low price.
The Athlon X4 760K is a good cheap CPU if you want to overclock.
(Note: what socket are you looking for? One of these is FM2 and the other is AM3)

 

[HiImLucky]

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

 

[TopLuca]

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

The FX-9xxx Series suffer from a large heat output and massive Power Consumption , I wouldn't really recommend those.

 

[Calnin]

It does somewhat. But in multithreaded applications, it does help quite a bit.

I was running stock and able to stream 720p 60fps quite well. Limiting factor for me is my net if it wants to cooperate to me.

The thing is that the 9590 is basically the fx8350 but overclocked.

 

[KyleADunn]

I am in search of a CPU for my streaming PC that will work alongside my gaming PC to deliver the highest quality stream possible without any 'Taking too long to encode' issues. I am hoping to stream with AT LEAST these settings in OBS:

>VIDEO ENCODING
Encoder: x264
Use CBR: False
Enable CRB padding: True
Quality Balance: 10
Use Custom Buffer Size: True
Max Bitrate (kb/s): 3500
Buffer Size (kbit): 3500

>AUDIO ENCODING

Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 160
Format: 48kHz
Channel: stereo

>VIDEO

Resolution Downscale: None (1920x1080)
FPS: 60

>ADVANCED

x264 CPU Preset: Slower

I'd like to spend the least amount possible, AMD or Intel.

The FX-4130 is a good CPU for a low price.
The Athlon X4 760K is a good cheap CPU if you want to overclock.
(Note: what socket are you looking for? One of these is FM2 and the other is AM3)

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

High numbers within AMD = better, yes. Haha, though but not against intels.

The 9590 has 4.7ghz stock clock with 8 cores, and is at that, considerably more powerful than previous AMD CPUs. Though, as a trade off, it has a 220 TDP, which most motherboards can't safely guarantee. The Gigabyte UD3 (or 5) 990 boards surely can, as well as some others.

EDIT: Calnin is right about the 9590; it's pretty much an over clocked, power hungry, 8350.

 

[HiImLucky]

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

The FX-9xxx Series suffer from a large heat output and massive Power Consumption , I wouldn't really recommend those.

Gotcha, so they are the Haswells pre Devils Canyon of the AMD family

 

[HiImLucky]

I am in search of a CPU for my streaming PC that will work alongside my gaming PC to deliver the highest quality stream possible without any 'Taking too long to encode' issues. I am hoping to stream with AT LEAST these settings in OBS:

>VIDEO ENCODING
Encoder: x264
Use CBR: False
Enable CRB padding: True
Quality Balance: 10
Use Custom Buffer Size: True
Max Bitrate (kb/s): 3500
Buffer Size (kbit): 3500

>AUDIO ENCODING

Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 160
Format: 48kHz
Channel: stereo

>VIDEO

Resolution Downscale: None (1920x1080)
FPS: 60

>ADVANCED

x264 CPU Preset: Slower

I'd like to spend the least amount possible, AMD or Intel.

The FX-4130 is a good CPU for a low price.
The Athlon X4 760K is a good cheap CPU if you want to overclock.
(Note: what socket are you looking for? One of these is FM2 and the other is AM3)

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

High numbers within AMD = better, yes. Haha, though but not against intels.

The 9590 has 4.7ghz stock clock with 8 cores, and is at that, considerably more powerful than previous AMD CPUs. Though, as a trade off, it has a 220 TDP, which most motherboards can't safely guarantee. The Gigabyte UD3 (or 5) 990 boards surely can, as well as some others.

EDIT: Calnin is right about the 9590; it's pretty much an over clocked, power hungry, 8350.

Okay, thanks, I think Im understanding things a bit better, so the 8350 is pretty much the gold standard for CPU heavy processes.

 

[Calnin]

If you're overclocking, get the 8320 + decent cpu cooler + a decent motherboard (Gigabyte 970a UD3P minimum) and overclock the thing to a decent speed.

 

[KyleADunn]

I am in search of a CPU for my streaming PC that will work alongside my gaming PC to deliver the highest quality stream possible without any 'Taking too long to encode' issues. I am hoping to stream with AT LEAST these settings in OBS:

>VIDEO ENCODING
Encoder: x264
Use CBR: False
Enable CRB padding: True
Quality Balance: 10
Use Custom Buffer Size: True
Max Bitrate (kb/s): 3500
Buffer Size (kbit): 3500

>AUDIO ENCODING

Codec: AAC
Bitrate: 160
Format: 48kHz
Channel: stereo

>VIDEO

Resolution Downscale: None (1920x1080)
FPS: 60

>ADVANCED

x264 CPU Preset: Slower

I'd like to spend the least amount possible, AMD or Intel.

The FX-4130 is a good CPU for a low price.
The Athlon X4 760K is a good cheap CPU if you want to overclock.
(Note: what socket are you looking for? One of these is FM2 and the other is AM3)

I'd vote, based on price / performance, the FX-8350. It's got plenty of cores to handle multi-core games, then streaming on top of that. I've got an oc'd 8320 (4.5ghz) and I'm able to stream (while playing CoH2 on max settings) with your listed settings. The stock 8350 is 4 ghz, but I'm sure that'll still suffice.

If you had a limitless budget, I'd vote some expensive 8-core intel, or a powerful 4 core with good hyperthreading. But as price is a point, I say AMD's FX 8350.

Does AMD follow the whole 'higher number = better' logic? As in the FX-9590 would preform better than the FX-8350? I haven't read too far into AMD processors as of yet, I suffer from Intel fanboyism.

High numbers within AMD = better, yes. Haha, though but not against intels.

The 9590 has 4.7ghz stock clock with 8 cores, and is at that, considerably more powerful than previous AMD CPUs. Though, as a trade off, it has a 220 TDP, which most motherboards can't safely guarantee. The Gigabyte UD3 (or 5) 990 boards surely can, as well as some others.

EDIT: Calnin is right about the 9590; it's pretty much an over clocked, power hungry, 8350.

Okay, thanks, I think Im understanding things a bit better, so the 8350 is pretty much the gold standard for CPU heavy processes.

Right. The 4570k and FX8350 are the two "gold standards," I'd say. The intel being better core-for-core than the AMD, but the AMD having more cores, and thus, can handle more simultaneous operations. Here's a nifty article on the two.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4570-vs-AMD-FX-8350

 

[HiImLucky]

If you're overclocking, get the 8320 + decent cpu cooler + a decent motherboard (Gigabyte 970a UD3P minimum) and overclock the thing to a decent speed.

What if I plan to NOT overclock? Which CPU would you recommend? I have an overclockable setup at the moment since I bought my current PC when I was all starstruck about finally joining the PC Masterrace, but I never really got into overclocking, so I ended up way overspending and I dont want to make that mistake again.

 

[Calnin]

Fx 8350 + cm 212 evo + Gigabyte 970a ud3p would do alright. It's ~250$ for all that. It's overclockable build, you'll be fine.

 

[KyleADunn]

If you're overclocking, get the 8320 + decent cpu cooler + a decent motherboard (Gigabyte 970a UD3P minimum) and overclock the thing to a decent speed.

What if I plan to NOT overclock? Which CPU would you recommend? I have an overclockable setup at the moment since I bought my current PC when I was all starstruck about finally joining the PC Masterrace, but I never really got into overclocking, so I ended up way overspending and I dont want to make that mistake again.

If you don't wish to OC, then the FX 8350 would still be a great option. The reply about OCing was if you'd wanted to save maybe $50, you could buy the cheaper 8320 and OC it to 8350 speeds.