NVEnc 9.10

Rather than relying on your CPU for video encoding tasks, NVEnc offloads the entire process to the GPU, delivering dramatically faster export times while keeping system resources free for other applications.

For streamers, content creators, and video professionals with NVIDIA hardware, this tool provides an efficient path to high-quality H.264, HEVC, and AV1 output without the processing bottlenecks of software-based encoding.

Why Choose GPU Encoding Over CPU-Based Encoders?

Traditional software encoders like x264 Video Codec rely heavily on CPU processing power, which competes directly with games, editing software, and other demanding applications.

NVENC's dedicated hardware approach eliminates this competition entirely by using specialized encoding circuits built into every modern NVIDIA GPU.

The practical benefits become immediately apparent during real-world use.

Gamers can stream to Twitch or YouTube while maintaining smooth framerates, and video editors can export projects in a fraction of the time required by CPU encoding. Recording gameplay no longer causes stuttering, and batch encoding large video libraries happens in hours rather than days.

The quality difference compared to older hardware encoders has also narrowed considerably - RTX 40-series NVENC output now rivals x265 HEVC Encoder at slower presets while encoding many times faster.

For those curious about how different graphics cards compare for encoding tasks, our Best GPU for Video Encoding 2025 guide provides detailed benchmarks across NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel hardware.

Supported Formats and Encoding Features

NVEnc supports the three most important video codecs for modern content creation and distribution.

H.264/AVC remains the universal standard with playback support across virtually every device and platform. HEVC (H.265) delivers roughly 50% better compression at equivalent quality, making it ideal for 4K content and archival purposes.

AV1 encoding - available on RTX 40-series and newer GPUs - pushes efficiency even further with royalty-free licensing that benefits commercial creators.

Resolution support extends up to 8K, with 10-bit color depth available for HDR workflows.

The encoder integrates with popular streaming and recording software including OBS Studio, XSplit, and Streamlabs for real-time broadcasting.

Advanced users can combine NVEnc with tools like StaxRip or VidCoder for GUI-based encoding workflows, or pipe output through MKVToolNix for container manipulation.

The command-line interface provides granular control over encoding parameters including bitrate, reference frames, B-frame configuration, and hardware-accelerated video processing filters. Dolby Vision RPU passthrough enables professional HDR workflows, while Vapoursynth API V4 support allows integration with advanced filtering pipelines.

System Requirements

NVEnc requires an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 series or newer graphics card. Each generation brings improved encoding quality and additional codec support - GTX 10-series and newer handles HEVC encoding, while AV1 encoding requires RTX 40-series or newer hardware.

Use GPU-Z to verify your graphics card capabilities and ensure drivers are current.

Windows users should have the latest NVIDIA drivers installed, and Linux users benefit from the enhanced Vulkan initialization and hardware decode fixes included in recent NVEnc releases.

Complementary Tools for Video Workflows

NVEnc works best as part of a broader video processing toolkit.

For users who prefer graphical interfaces, HandBrake supports NVENC hardware encoding with a more approachable interface, while Shutter Encoder offers batch processing with hardware acceleration options.

Those working with AV1 specifically might also explore SVT-AV1 for CPU-based encoding when maximum quality matters more than speed.

Playback of encoded files works seamlessly with VLC Media Player or Media Player Classic, and installing the AV1 Video Extension or HEVC Video Extension enables native Windows playback in the Movies & TV app.

What's New in NVEnc 9.10

• Add feature to set --audio-bitrate to different value depending on audio channels.
  Added installer for AviUtl2 and new native AviUtl2 plugin (NVEnc.auo2)
• Vapoursynth API V4 support for advanced filtering workflows
• Improved DX11 device initialization to avoid virtual/remote adapter detection
• New --unidirectb option for lossless encoding with unidirectional B-frames
• Changed default reference frames to 4 for H.264 and 5 for HEVC/AV1
• Added --fallback-bitdepth option for automatic 8-bit fallback when 10-bit is unsupported
• Improved subtitle burn-in quality via updated libass and harfbuzz
• Switched --vpp-resize ngx-vsr and --vpp-ngx-truehdr to CUDA API for better efficiency
• YUV444/10-bit output support for AviUtl2
• New CUDA optimization options (--cuda-stream, --cuda-mt)
• Added --bitstream-padding for AV1 CBR encoding
• Multiple bug fixes for interlaced encoding, raw output, and Linux stability
• Optimized Dolby Vision RPU conversion with detailed error logging
• Improved auto GPU selection accuracy in multi-GPU environments
• Updated FFmpeg libraries for Windows builds