I have been using a Mac mini to run OBS for live streaming for several years. Suddenly the mini will only run OBS at low resolution. Could this be because other processes are hogging the CPU? If so, how do I change the priority to give OBS first shot? All other things are equal no major changes made recently.
Mac mini (M2, 2023)
Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?
Please download and run Etrecheck. The free version is sufficient.
Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.
Copy the report
and after clicking on the Reply button use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.
Then we can examine the report and see if we can determine the cause of the problem.
You may start by updating from macOS Sonoma 14.0 (23A344) Installed 2023-10-04
To the current Sonoma 14.8.2 released November 3, 2025
About the security content of macOS Sonoma 14.8.2
Really cross wrote:
Thanks for your help - whilst I'm here, do you know how to change my login name - not appropriate any more - I'm usually quite chilled....:)
N
<log.log>
Your request to " change my login name " has been put to the Appropriate Apple Authorities
We are thinking about switching to a hardware streaming device to take the load off OBS and hence the mac-mini. It would then only be controlling hardware, (cameras, stream deck companion, ATEM, Youtube) not actually doing the data crunching. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help - whilst I'm here, do you know how to change my login name - not appropriate any more - I'm usually quite chilled....:)
N
Neil-Millward wrote:
cheers!
You are welcome and welcome for the new user name @ Neil-Millward
🦉-53
OBS suddenly overheating the Mac mini
