Nvidia and Radeon HDMI 2.1 and HDR questions

[KingDazza]

Been out of PC gaming for 4 years and considering returning to it. With either a RTX 3090 or 6900XT.

However it would be great to know where we now are with HDMI 2.1 and HDR in general as well as any differences between the two GPU's with regards connectivity via HDMI 2.1.

1. In Windows 10 and 11 do games automatically engage HDR, or do you have to switch it on at OS level before launching every game? Is this the same for Nvidia and Radeon?
2. Does windowed mode and full screen mode impact HDR. i.e is one going via the game's HDR settings or is one using the desktop HDR settings.
3. Does anyone's 6000 series or 3000 series card have any connectivity issues when connected to an HDMI 2.1 capable tv?
4. In windows 11 does gamebar remember HDR settings per individual game? For example when setting to use Auto HDR or not.
5. Are there any disadvantages of what mobo and CPU pairs with which GPU i.e intel with AMD or Nvidia etc

Leaving the performance to one side, if anyone can make me aware of any issues with either the Nvidia or Radeon GPU's from a driver perspective, that would be much appreciated.

Cards are crazy expensive these days so any wisdom I can gain prior to splurging thousands of pounds on a complete new build would be of much help/reassurance.

Many thanks.

 

[Poneros]

1. Some do, some don't. In the last 2 years or so you would have had to engage HDR in windows first before starting the game in order for the HDR option to appear in-game. There are some scripts that do it for you if you want to automate it, can't remember the name but you can find it if you look around.
2. Yes, it does. You'll want both to be the same (i.e. HDR on in windows & HDR on in game). If you don't then you'll likely encounter issues, but at a minimum it will reset display as you alt-tab and it transitions from HDR -> non-HDR.
3. None widespread. The issues you might encounter are when you add everything together, i.e. HDR AND VRR AND 120hz etc. but they are rare and a per-individual matter usually.
4. Don't use W11, can't comment.
5. No disadvantages, but AMD has more of an advantage when using Smart Access Memory seeing greater performance gains, but it's more of a per-game thing, not all games see equal benefits.

Imo AMD is more reliable driver-wise and wrt display issues & HDR, but I would ultimately buy Nvidia for overall utility - better raytracing, DLSS, their down-sampling is better & has more options particularly for high refresh rate, etc. Also Nvidia opens you up to more display options, particularly if you want to use an LG OLED you'll have a better time.

Also something to consider - we're about 6 months away from a new generation of cards, so if you wanted to splurge you might want to do it later. Likewise for new CPUs & platforms (AM5). GPU wise I'd definitely wait, but the rest of the system you could buy now if you wanted, and if you get an alder-lake platform then you can use the integrated graphics while waiting for new cards & play games with Geforce Now (Cloud).

 

[KingDazza]

Thanks ever so much Poneros. Exactly the kind of response I was after. Really appreciate you taking the time.

Just out of interest, why Nvidia for a better time with LG OLED? I'm assuming because of G-Sync primarily?

Personally, I'll be using a very high end 2021 Master Series Sony LCD. Which does allow me 8k, but I would only be using 4k 120Hz, but crucially, with no VRR. I'd likely lock most games to 60fps cap, but in 120hz mode for improved panel latency.

 

[Kirby Wurm]

Not adding anything interesting but from my recent experience games that can only run windowed always seem to require HDR to be turned on in Windows, such as Halo Infinite and God of War. Just my recent observation.

The use of HDR in Windows definitely needs more work to make it a streamlined process.

 

[Daytrader]

I've never come across a game that only runs in windowed mode, I've always had a option in settings to change to full screen or exclusive, that i use for every game i have, mind you i don't have them two games you mentioned, i always run in exclusive or full screen to get max performance.

 

[willhub]

I find HDR is hit and miss, even if it's on something you just can't get it right in game, it's a real faff. Windows 11 has better HDR options but it doesn't change much

 

[stooeh]

I find it tiresome that some games need HDR in Windows turned on first. If I leave it on there I find ABL to be very annoyingly aggressive on my OLED compared to off. Perhaps because I have the OLED light set lower in SDR.

 

[Poneros]

Thanks ever so much Poneros. Exactly the kind of response I was after. Really appreciate you taking the time.

Just out of interest, why Nvidia for a better time with LG OLED? I'm assuming because of G-Sync primarily?

Personally, I'll be using a very high end 2021 Master Series Sony LCD. Which does allow me 8k, but I would only be using 4k 120Hz, but crucially, with no VRR. I'd likely lock most games to 60fps cap, but in 120hz mode for improved panel latency.

Yes, mainly due to G-sync, and I know AMD had issues with some Freesync TVs, but can't remember exactly which (mostly Samsung). If you're using the Z9J that would be very cool, it's also been on my mind a lot, I use a Sony XF90 myself & waiting to upgrade but also mainly wanted to stay with high-end Sony LCDs but they seem to be gimping them further every year. In particular I hear the Z9J no longer engages local dimming in game mode for 4K 120hz which would be tragicomical, so in fact you might find yourself more limited to 60hz for HDR. In any case you're not likely to run into other issues, it's mostly VRR which causes headaches across the board, even in the best implementations like for LG OLEDs there's still gamma shift & raised blacks.

 

[shankly1985]

What ever you do if HDR is your main thing. Make sure you use Windows 11 HDR is just so much better on this OS vs Windows 10. Auto HDR works great also even on my IPS panel.

 

[KingDazza]

Yes, mainly due to G-sync, and I know AMD had issues with some Freesync TVs, but can't remember exactly which (mostly Samsung). If you're using the Z9J that would be very cool, it's also been on my mind a lot, I use a Sony XF90 myself & waiting to upgrade but also mainly wanted to stay with high-end Sony LCDs but they seem to be gimping them further every year. In particular I hear the Z9J no longer engages local dimming in game mode for 4K 120hz which would be tragicomical, so in fact you might find yourself more limited to 60hz for HDR. In any case you're not likely to run into other issues, it's mostly VRR which causes headaches across the board, even in the best implementations like for LG OLEDs there's still gamma shift & raised blacks.

Thanks. Yeah, I've already got the Z9J and you can be assured, 4k 120hz is perfect. Back in September, it suffered some colour banding, but that got resolved several months ago. Its only VRR which disables local dimming. 4k 120hz without vrr is fine. Just also to say the Z9J is sublime with 2500+ nits for HDR and excellent detail with the 4k upscale to 8k.

What ever you do if HDR is your main thing. Make sure you use Windows 11 HDR is just so much better on this OS vs Windows 10. Auto HDR works great also even on my IPS panel.

Cheers and really good to hear. I've got a 6900XT arriving tomorrow and it'll be dropped into my current i7 7700k W10 build, but just to check it out, before then migrating it to a fresh W11 5900x platform. You're making me look forward to my next steps on my journey back to PC Gaming.

Cheers both and thanks again.

 

[KingDazza]

I find it tiresome that some games need HDR in Windows turned on first. If I leave it on there I find ABL to be very annoyingly aggressive on my OLED compared to off. Perhaps because I have the OLED light set lower in SDR.

Part of the reason I'm returning to PC Gaming is because I no longer use an OLED. Funny I know, it's like I'm going in the opposite direction of everyone else. But on one OLED I burnt in some folder icons after 6months and on another which wasn't LG, I couldnt stop it dimming. And then there was all the worry from the first panel which I burnt in. So I babied them for the past 4 years... it genuinely feels liberating to be free of the burden.

I loved OLED and still have one on my bedroom wall, but its due to getting a Z9J that my love for PC gaming has been ignited again.