Early Christmas present for those struggling with HDR at 'non native' utrawide resolutions on a 16:9 screen. You can 100% get HDR working all the time, easily, on an Nvidia card anyway (not sure about AMD). I know this is kind of an AMD thread really, but for those on Nvidia interested......
(Note: I personally use this method on 2 separate OLED screens, both standard 3840x2160 16:9, and have done for several years)
Short version
In the NVCP enable desktop resizing and set it to 3840 x 1620. This resolution will now appear in your NVCP res options (will have an asterisk by it, along with a few others)
Long version
Creating a 'normal' custom ultrawide 21:9 res (eg 3840 x 1600) for a native 16:9 screen works in general, but the one drawback is - HDR does not work for games that are not 'native' HDR and have to have HDR turned on in Windows as discussed above.
The simple fix that makes HDR work at ultrawide res on a non native ultrawide screen - for ANY GAME - is to go to "Adjust desktop size and position" in the NVCP, tick the "enable desktop resizing" box, then the "resize" button and then drag the sliders to create a res of 3840x1620. Without going into details, this is not the same as a normal 'custom' resolution that you can create.
This res is now available for selection for anything, desktop, games, anything - and most importantly - HDR fully works and is supported.
The only caveats are:
1. Some games for some reason (Cyberpunk is one example) even though HDR works they don't adjust the aspect ratio properly in game when you select the res, and everything is squished. The simple fix for the few games that have this issue is just set your desktop to the 3840x1620 res BEFORE you load up the game.
2. Full RGB 10 bit colour does not apply with the desktop resized res. You only get 8bit with dithering. However, I've done extensive testing and I'm a real picky ****** - I see no meaningful difference or detrimental issues from running 8bit with dithering for HDR vs 'normal' 10bit colour. Also some argue that 8bit with dithering can be better as weirdly you can get less banding effects (in the sky on some games for example).
HDR in Windows has come a long way recently and is certainly not a joke. It's not perfect and should be easier and it needs some effort and thinking sometimes. Windows 11 v22h2 now also has a fully working Windows HDR calibration app that helps improve some games a bit, especially if you use Auto HDR, but Auto HDR that's another long separate story!
I'm a massive fan of HDR and even mess around with SpecialK for custom HDR for some games that don't support standard or Auto HDR. It's just better sometimes as you can fine tune it and tweak more. I personally think proper HDR is more important than ray tracing at the moment, if you game on OLED anyway or a really good HDR monitor or mini led panel.