For a lean, single-stream Linux VPS, 4 GB of RAM is a reasonable starting point; choose 8 GB if OBS shares the server with other services or runs a more complex scene. Neither figure is a published minimum or a guarantee of uninterrupted streaming. RAM is only one constraint: encoding, scene rendering, network capacity, reconnect handling and monitoring matter too.
OVHcloud RAM options at a glance
OVHcloud’s public VPS page labels its current offer “VPS 2027.” The configurations below are a snapshot of that page accessed on 2026-10-03, not a permanent specification. Check availability, terms, region and bandwidth conditions when ordering.
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| Plan shown | RAM | vCores | NVMe storage | Public bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPS-1 | 4 GB | 2 | 40 GB | 500 Mbps |
| VPS-2 | 8 GB | 4 | 75 GB | 1 Gbps |
| VPS-3 | 12 GB | 6 | 100 GB | 2 Gbps |
| VPS-4 | 24 GB | 8 | 200 GB | 3 Gbps |
OVHcloud also advertises unlimited traffic on the page; that claim is subject to the offer’s terms and service conditions. Public bandwidth is not the same as a guarantee that a particular route or stream will remain healthy. See OVHcloud’s VPS plan page.
When 4 GB is a sensible starting point
For one output with a static or lightly animated visual, one audio track and a lean OBS scene, 4 GB is a practical initial estimate. That is an engineering estimate informed by the available plan sizes and OBS’s workload guidance—not a tested RAM requirement. A simple looping video is likely to demand less than a scene with multiple browser overlays, media sources, filters, recording or transcoding, but the exact use depends on the setup.
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OBS says its CPU requirements vary with encoder, resolution, frame rate and scene complexity. Its system requirements page cautions: “Having a compatible system does not guarantee that it is capable of streaming or recording using OBS Studio.” Compatibility alone therefore does not establish that a VPS can sustain your specific stream. OBS system requirements.
When to choose 8 GB or more
Consider 8 GB when OBS runs alongside other applications, the scene has several browser or media sources or filters, or you also record or transcode. The 12 GB and 24 GB configurations may suit heavier combined workloads, but RAM alone does not justify selecting them: first identify whether memory, CPU, encoding or another constraint is actually limiting your stream.
OVHcloud says upgrade options depend on the VPS range and model. Its upgrade documentation includes a U.S.-specific support article updated 2025-02-14; its regional details should not be generalized to every location or current offer. Check the options for the exact model and region before relying on a later upgrade. OVHcloud VPS upgrade information.
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RAM is not the only streaming constraint
CPU, encoder and scene rendering
Encoding can overload a CPU even while memory remains available. OBS also has to render and composite the scene; browser sources, filters and other complex elements add work. A hardware encoder can shift encoding work to a specialized GPU component, but a plan’s listed vCores and RAM do not prove that the VPS exposes a usable GPU encoder. Verify the specific instance, drivers, operating system and software configuration before assuming NVENC, Quick Sync or another hardware path is available. OBS hardware encoding guidance.
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Network capacity and YouTube ingest settings
YouTube’s current encoder guidance recommends constant bitrate, testing with audio and movement similar to the intended broadcast, monitoring stream health and sending over RTMPS. Its recommended video ingest bitrates include:
| Resolution and frame rate | AV1/H.265 video bitrate | H.264 video bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s recommended video bitrates for ingest, not RAM requirements or proof of route reliability. Allow headroom for protocol overhead and variation, and verify the actual VPS limits and stream-health status. YouTube says it automatically transcodes live streams into output formats for viewers. Recommendations may change, so consult YouTube’s live encoder settings when configuring a stream.
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How to validate a VPS before depending on it
- Start with the workload you will actually run. Choose the resolution, frame rate, codec, audio, sources, filters and whether you will record or transcode. For a lean single stream, start with 4 GB as an estimate; use 8 GB as a more suitable starting point when the scene or other services add load.
- Confirm the encoder path. Check whether the chosen software can use the intended encoder on that VM. Do not assume a hardware encoder is available just because the host plan lists vCores and RAM.
- Configure YouTube ingest. Use the current YouTube guidance for your codec and output, including constant bitrate and RTMPS. Use the recommended bitrate as a starting point and leave network headroom.
- Test the exact scene and content. Include representative audio and movement rather than testing only a static screen. YouTube advises: “Make sure to test before you start the live stream.” Watch stream-health messages and review them during operation.
- Observe the host while testing. Look for memory pressure, CPU saturation and encoding or rendering overload. If memory is available but the encoder is overloaded, adding RAM may not solve the problem.
- Plan the recovery path. A 24/7 setup needs process supervision, reconnect handling, monitoring and a way to recover after a failure. The available guidance does not set a universally safe RAM margin, test duration or uptime guarantee for this use case.
Common sizing and reliability problems
- OBS starts, but the stream stutters or drops frames: check CPU and encoding or rendering load, scene complexity and network stability; extra RAM will not necessarily resolve those causes.
- Memory use climbs or the VPS begins swapping: inspect OBS and other running services, then simplify sources or move to a configuration with more RAM if observed memory pressure is the constraint.
- A hardware encoder option is missing: verify the instance actually exposes compatible hardware and that the guest OS, drivers and software support it. Do not infer availability from the plan’s RAM or vCore count.
- The stream disconnects and does not return: review YouTube’s stream-health messages and configure process supervision and reconnect behavior. A VPS being online does not by itself ensure OBS or the live session recovers.
- The selected plan is unavailable or cannot be upgraded as expected: check the range, model and region-specific options with OVHcloud before purchase; upgrade availability varies.
DIY VPS or a managed cloud loop?
If you want OBS and the stream to run on your own server, the sizing guidance above applies: start with a lean workload, test it and choose more resources only when measurements point to a need. If you would rather not maintain a continuously running computer or VPS, StreamNeo is an alternative for keeping uploaded videos live on YouTube: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once and go live. It loops from the cloud, so your computer can be off.
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