How to Use AMD Advanced Media Framework in OBS

How to Use AMD Advanced Media Framework in OBS

For content creators and streamers using AMD hardware, leveraging the AMD Advanced Media Framework (AMF) in OBS can significantly improve video encoding performance while keeping CPU usage low. This guide explains how to integrate AMD AMF with OBS Studio, plus practical tips for tuning encoding settings to get the best balance between quality and performance.

Whether you’re using a mid-range Ryzen CPU paired with an AMD GPU or a high-end Radeon RX card, this OBS AMD encoder guide will walk you through the setup process and provide actionable performance tips to enhance your live stream or recording quality.

What is AMD Advanced Media Framework and Why Does it Matter?

The AMD Advanced Media Framework is a hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding SDK developed by AMD. It allows software like OBS Studio to offload video encoding tasks from your CPU directly onto compatible AMD GPUs, freeing CPU resources and often providing better encoding efficiency.

Why Use AMD AMF with OBS?

Traditionally, OBS streams and records video using CPU-based encoding methods like x264. These can be very demanding on system resources, especially if you want high-quality output or are gaming simultaneously.

Using AMD’s hardware encoder through AMF offers several benefits:

• Lower CPU usage: Encoding is shifted to the GPU, keeping your CPU available for gameplay or multitasking.
• Efficient power usage: GPUs can handle video encoding more power-effectively than CPUs.
• Competitive quality: Modern AMF encoders can deliver near-x264 quality at much lower CPU cost.
• Better system responsiveness: You’re less likely to experience stutters or FPS drops during streaming.

Since OBS introduced native support for AMD AMF, it has become a practical choice for many AMD system owners looking to optimise their streaming setup.

Who This Guide is For

If you’re a streamer, live content creator, or video recorder with an AMD Radeon GPU from the RX 400 series and newer, this guide is for you. It’s particularly useful if you:

• Experience high CPU usage during streaming.
• Want to improve video quality without sacrificing game performance.
• Are exploring alternatives to NVIDIA NVENC or CPU (x264) encoding.
• Are setting up OBS Studio and want a thorough walkthrough for AMD AMF.

How to Set Up AMD Advanced Media Framework in OBS: Step-by-Step

Getting AMD AMF working in OBS is straightforward, but a few key details matter to ensure smooth operation and good results.

Step 1: Verify Hardware and Driver Compatibility

• Your GPU needs to support AMD AMF encoding. Most modern AMD GPUs from the Radeon RX 400 series onward support it, including RX 570, RX 580, RX 5600, RX 6600, RX 6800, and others.
• Update your AMD graphics drivers to the latest version from the official AMD website. Newer drivers often bring performance improvements and bug fixes related to AMF.
• Confirm your OBS Studio version is at least 27.0 or later, as AMF integration was improved in recent updates.

Step 2: Open OBS and Access Encoding Settings

• Launch OBS Studio.
• Go to Settings > Output.
• Set Output Mode to Advanced to unlock detailed encoding options.

Step 3: Choose AMD AMF Encoder

• Under the Streaming tab in Output settings, look for the Encoder dropdown.
• Select AMD AMF (Advanced Media Framework) from the list.
• Similarly, for recording, you can select AMD AMF as your recording encoder in the Recording tab if desired.

Step 4: Tune AMD AMF Encoding Settings

Basic options you’ll see when choosing AMD AMF encoder include:

• Rate Control: Choose between CBR (constant bitrate), VBR (variable bitrate), or Quality-based modes.
• Bitrate: Adjust your target bitrate based on your upload speed and desired quality. For 1080p streaming, 6000-8000 Kbps is typical.
• Preset: Options typically include Balanced, Speed, Quality, and sometimes Custom. This determines latency and quality trade-offs.
• Keyframe Interval: Commonly set to 2 seconds to match streaming platform requirements.
• Profile: Usually Main or High—High profile offers better compression but may increase GPU load.
• B-frames: Can improve compression efficiency but might increase encoding delay.

Step 5: Save Settings and Start Streaming

• Click Apply and then OK.
• Test your stream or recording. Keep an eye on CPU and GPU usage through Task Manager or performance monitoring utilities to confirm AMF encoding is active and efficient.

Performance Tips for AMD AMF Encoding in OBS

Setting up AMD AMF is only half the battle. How you tune encoding settings vastly affects your streaming quality and performance.

Tip 1: Choose the Right Rate Control Mode

• For stable and consistent stream quality, CBR (constant bitrate) is recommended. It maintains a fixed bitrate, which streaming platforms prefer.
• Use VBR if you want better quality during less complex scenes but expect varying bitrate load.
• The Quality mode prioritises visual fidelity over bitrate constraints but is less predictable.

Tip 2: Manage Bitrate According to Bandwidth and Resolution

Your internet upload speed defines the maximum bitrate you can reliably stream at. A general recommendation:

• 720p at 30fps - 3000-4500 Kbps
• 1080p at 60fps - 6000-9000 Kbps
• 1440p or above requires even higher bitrates or lower frame rates.

Use speed tests to verify your upload speed and leave some headroom (~20%) for stability.

Tip 3: Preset Selection Balances Quality vs Latency

• The Quality preset delivers better visuals but may increase encoding latency and GPU load.
• The Speed or Balanced presets reduce latency and processor load but slightly sacrifice quality.

Test which preset works best for your streaming style—if you play fast-paced games, opting for lower latency presets can help.

Tip 4: Keep Keyframe Interval at 2 Seconds

Streaming platforms such as Twitch generally recommend a 2-second keyframe interval for compatibility. This setting helps video players synchronise streams efficiently.

Tip 5: Monitor GPU and CPU Usage

AMD AMF offloads encoding to the GPU, but encoding still consumes GPU resources. If you notice bottlenecks:

• Lower your bitrate or resolution.
• Close GPU-intensive background applications.
• Experiment with encoding presets.

Your CPU usage should drop significantly compared to x264 encoding, freeing it up for games or other tasks.

Tip 6: Update OBS and AMD Drivers Regularly

Both OBS Studio and AMD drivers receive frequent updates. Make sure to keep both up to date to benefit from bug fixes and improved AMF integration.

Expert Insights and Common Pitfalls

Many users underestimate the importance of driver versions. AMD AMF reliability and performance can vary greatly depending on your driver version. Some older drivers may cause crashes or lower quality output.

While AMD AMF is excellent for many setups, it may not yet match NVIDIA’s NVENC in raw encoding quality or stability for very high-end streaming needs.

AMD AMF is fantastic for budget-conscious streamers or those prioritising CPU availability. However, if you want 4K 60fps streaming at the highest fidelity, NVIDIA NVENC or high-end CPU encoding (x264) might offer advantages.

Alternatives: Comparing AMD AMF with Other Encoders in OBS

If you don’t have a compatible AMD GPU, NVENC or CPU encoding remains your best bet. But if you own an AMD Radeon card, AMF is a compelling choice to boost performance without expensive hardware.

Quick Summary: Best AMD AMF Settings for OBS

• Encoder: AMD AMF
• Rate Control: CBR for streaming
• Bitrate: 6000-8000 kbps for 1080p60
• Preset: Balanced or Quality (test for latency)
• Keyframe Interval: 2 seconds
• Profile: Main or High
• B-frames: Enabled if latency can be tolerated

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use AMD AMF if I have an older Radeon card?
A: AMF support generally starts with Radeon RX 400 series and newer GPUs. Older cards might not be compatible.

Q: Does AMD AMF cause input lag when streaming games?
A: It can add some encoding delay, especially on Quality presets. For fast-paced games, use the Speed preset to reduce latency.

Q: Is AMD AMF better than x264 CPU encoding?
A: AMD AMF uses less CPU and generally offers good quality, but x264 can still achieve better visuals if your CPU can handle the load.

Q: How do I check if OBS is using AMD AMF encoder?
A: In OBS, check the Stats window during streaming or recording. You should see lower CPU usage and GPU encoder activity.

Q: What bitrate should I use for 1080p streams with AMD AMF?
A: Aim for 6000 Kbps or higher, depending on your upload speed and streaming platform.

Q: Can I record locally with AMD AMF?
A: Yes, OBS supports AMD AMF for both streaming and recording.

Pricing and Availability

The AMD Advanced Media Framework is included as part of AMD’s driver package at no additional cost. You only need a compatible AMD GPU, which can range from about $150 for an entry-level Radeon RX 6500 XT to $400-$700 for mid to high-end RX 6700 or RX 6800 cards in current markets. OBS Studio is free and open source, so no software costs are involved.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Integrating AMD Advanced Media Framework with OBS is a straightforward way for AMD GPU users to significantly reduce CPU load and maintain high-quality streaming or recording. With the right setup and some tuning based on network bandwidth and performance requirements, AMF can provide an excellent balance of quality, latency, and efficiency.

If you’re setting up your streaming rig or looking to improve your existing AMD-based streaming workflow, give AMF a try with the configuration steps and performance tips outlined here. Keep your drivers and OBS updated, and monitor your system performance to fine-tune the settings to match your content needs.

For more streaming optimisation tutorials, check out our Streaming Setup Guides and learn how to get the best from your gear!

Related links:

• How to Optimise OBS Streaming Settings
• NVIDIA NVENC vs AMD AMF Encoding: Which is Better?
• Budget Streaming PCs with AMD GPUs

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