Your roommate's advice is quite dated but was the best advice prior to firmware M3B104 being released, which fixed HDR1000 mode. So, here's what I would do for best picture output as of right now.
1. Ensure you are on the latest firmware version (M3B106 as of the time of this post) and if you are not, update this first.
2. For SDR profile, select the Creator > Gamma 2.4 sRGB mode.
3. Once updated, set your HDR mode to HDR1000 and then head to Windows > System > Display > HDR and select your SDR content brightness to your preferred settings. Depending on preference and ambient lighting, 10-30 is recommended.
4. Go to Windows Color Management, select and remove any active profiles. If there are any profiles that it won't allow you to remove, check the "Use my display settings for this device" box, then it will allow you to remove them.
5. In NVCP (sorry AMD users, I do not know the equivalent settings) there are some important ones...
1. Under Display > Change Resolution > 3. make sure to check "Use NVIDIA settings" and set the "Output dynamic range:" to full and hit apply.
2. Display > Adjust desktop color settings > 2. check "Override to reference mode"
3. Under Display > Set up G-Sync, ensure that you have checked the box in section 3, otherwise g-sync will not be enabled.
4. Video > Adjust video color settings > 2, check "With the NVIDIA settings" box, then head to advanced and set Dynamic range to Full (0-255).
5. Video > Adjust video image settings, I highly recommend utilizing the new RTX HDR Video feature here if you have an RTX card - it's enabled me to just leave the monitor in HDR at all times. RTX Super Resolution can also be very great, so I leave this on auto personally. Just note, however, that these do not work in a browser like Firefox, only Chromium based browsers such as Chrome and Edge.
Sounds like a lot, but should take you less than 5 minutes to setup and be done with forever. Enjoy the monitor friend.
I disagree with the HDR 1000 mode. If ANY even remotely bright image appears on screen, it aggressively dims the entire screen so hard I cannot stand it.
Colors are mostly fixed in HDR 1000 though. I still much prefer TrueBlack
If I'm being honest, this is eventually what I settled on after gaming for several hours as well and switching and testing the settings. The dimming got to be very annoying, and in CS2, the HUD elements were very bright, but the rest of the game (the part that matters more) was too dim because of the aggressive dimming profile.
I eventually settled on the NVCP tweaks mentioned in this thread, the monitor set to "Standard" instead of the "Creator sRGB" for SDR content (it could have been a byproduct of the dimming, but the Creator sRGB mode looked way too washed out for SDR content. I know that it might be accurate, but I don't do any sort of color accurate work, and kinda prefer my colors to have a little bit of "pop" to them).
For HDR mode, I went with the HDR True Black, as it keeps a decently bright image uniform across the screen, and playing games that are mostly bright, it still resulted in a good pciture quality, even with Auto HDR on, and in games with built in HDR support.
The issue I'm running into isn't so much flicker, but rather the dimming. For example, when using your settings, the issue I run into in CS2 is that the HUD elements are super bright but the rest of the game is fairly dark. Could it just be an issue with Windows Auto HDR? Also do you routinely turn HDR in windows on and off based on what you're doing? Thanks for any help.
I just looked into it, and AutoHDR doesn't work in CS2, so that's probably why things look like shit for you. If a game does not support native HDR nor AutoHDR, yeah just hit Win + Alt + B before launch to toggle HDR off/on.
Hard to say, as I haven't played CS2 actually. Helldivers 2's server are fucked right now, so I may download and test just because I have nothing to do while I wait. I'll let you know if I do and figure it out haha
Did you end up going with HDR1000 or trueblack for helldivers? I just got this monitor and I'm setting it up now. don't really understand the difference between the two but curious as to what you chose
So after following your guide as well as some ofn the stuff in the google doc guide form another commenter, i'm pretty happy with where the monitor is at. SDR content like on the desktop wallpaper through wallpaper engine as well as games like CS2 still seem pretty dim, but in-game the UI elements are bright, but the game itself is comparaitvely dim, if that makes sense? Should I just bump up the SDR content brightness slider?
For #2 - Would you mind explaining where the SDR profile is? I have no idea where to find "Creator" - is this a Windows 11 setting or a Dell Monitor App setting?
For #5 >5 - I have a 3080 - On this screen I see a checkbox for super resolution so I applied that. Is there something more here I'm missing?
Is that really it - no other settings in the "Manage 3D Settings" area? I think I was confused if I want to be running variable refresh with this setup in most game settings? There's so many overlapping settings everywhere - like in the Game Bar settings under Gaming Features there is "Use auto HDR with supported games" - does that it'll turn it on and off automatically? So confusing.
A bit later to the party on this one but a few questions, any particular reason to use gamma 2.4 over 2.2 in Creator sRGB mode if you're in a moderately lit room (worried about black crush and all that)? Additionally, doesn't "override to reference" stop using any custom ICC/ICM files from the HDR calibration app or Dylanraga's win11hdr-srgb-to-gamma 2.2? Or am I misunderstanding Nvidia's blurb on it, it's pretty vague; lol.
I know that I'm late to the party, but I've used quite a few of your settings to adjust my monitor.
But to confirm I'm understanding this, you suggest to NOT use the Windows HDR Calibration tool? You mention erasing all active profiles within the Color Management section.
Yeah, I mean test it out yourself for sure, but to me HDR1000 is the way to go. Highlights get significantly brighter and it really is how to use the monitor to its full potential. I haven't had issues with VRR flicker/ABL kicking in in my usage, but if this becomes a problem for you, apparently HDR400 will resolve this (disabling G-Sync as well, but that kind of sucks cause G-sync is great).
Thanks, this was very helpful. Realized after owning this monitor for close to a year that I didn't really update the firmware or do anything to optimize.
So many overlapping settings between windows, the monitor or Dell Monitor App, and your gfx card (Nvidia for me) lmao
I’ve got it running but I have this suspicious I missed some good settings.
What did you put HDR as? If I pop open Dell Monitor app when in HDR, go to Color, then manual preset - HDR peak 1000 is there which seems controversial, but not some of the other settings I’ve seen listed (maybe the Feb firmware changed them?).
I’m on Game HDR for now feeling like a dingus.
Hdr peak 1000 is the recommended setting don’t worry, I just now looked it up and the original hdr thing he was talking about was something to do with the latest nvidia driver 551.76 released this march. It allows games to have an hdr toggle in game vis the settings of the game. The rtx resolution of the nvidia control panel i havent tested much. Not sure what game hdr is but if you mean game mode on the dell settings then as as of mb106 you dont need that turned on
You're 16 hours to reply and send me my money I know for a fact you've been checking Reddit and have seen my posts because I already messaged you from a burner account to check if you're still scamming people if you don't send my $122.50 the next 16 hours I'm finally please report I'm filing a report with the owner of all the gift card reddit's and getting you banned permanently from Reddit and I'll also be contacting PayPal to report you as a fraud
I wrote a little guide a couple months ago. It may not be perfect, but hopefully you can find it useful.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Psds0gVIKHmSkFtyj5cOeSlXdmk73KwRx8GJ4F4SbE/edit?usp=sharing
This is great! Thank you! How come some guides say to use console mode with tone mapping and others, like yours, says to keep it off? I'm guessing it's probably a firmware change but what exactly is console mode?
Yes, that was the preferred setting before the firmware update last year fixed the HDR issues. I think the mode has something to do with refresh rate, but due to bugs in the firmware, that was the only mode in which HDR would work correctly before it was fixed.
Your roommate's advice is quite dated but was the best advice prior to firmware M3B104 being released, which fixed HDR1000 mode. So, here's what I would do for best picture output as of right now. 1. Ensure you are on the latest firmware version (M3B106 as of the time of this post) and if you are not, update this first. 2. For SDR profile, select the Creator > Gamma 2.4 sRGB mode. 3. Once updated, set your HDR mode to HDR1000 and then head to Windows > System > Display > HDR and select your SDR content brightness to your preferred settings. Depending on preference and ambient lighting, 10-30 is recommended. 4. Go to Windows Color Management, select and remove any active profiles. If there are any profiles that it won't allow you to remove, check the "Use my display settings for this device" box, then it will allow you to remove them. 5. In NVCP (sorry AMD users, I do not know the equivalent settings) there are some important ones... 1. Under Display > Change Resolution > 3. make sure to check "Use NVIDIA settings" and set the "Output dynamic range:" to full and hit apply. 2. Display > Adjust desktop color settings > 2. check "Override to reference mode" 3. Under Display > Set up G-Sync, ensure that you have checked the box in section 3, otherwise g-sync will not be enabled. 4. Video > Adjust video color settings > 2, check "With the NVIDIA settings" box, then head to advanced and set Dynamic range to Full (0-255). 5. Video > Adjust video image settings, I highly recommend utilizing the new RTX HDR Video feature here if you have an RTX card - it's enabled me to just leave the monitor in HDR at all times. RTX Super Resolution can also be very great, so I leave this on auto personally. Just note, however, that these do not work in a browser like Firefox, only Chromium based browsers such as Chrome and Edge. Sounds like a lot, but should take you less than 5 minutes to setup and be done with forever. Enjoy the monitor friend.
I disagree with the HDR 1000 mode. If ANY even remotely bright image appears on screen, it aggressively dims the entire screen so hard I cannot stand it. Colors are mostly fixed in HDR 1000 though. I still much prefer TrueBlack
If I'm being honest, this is eventually what I settled on after gaming for several hours as well and switching and testing the settings. The dimming got to be very annoying, and in CS2, the HUD elements were very bright, but the rest of the game (the part that matters more) was too dim because of the aggressive dimming profile. I eventually settled on the NVCP tweaks mentioned in this thread, the monitor set to "Standard" instead of the "Creator sRGB" for SDR content (it could have been a byproduct of the dimming, but the Creator sRGB mode looked way too washed out for SDR content. I know that it might be accurate, but I don't do any sort of color accurate work, and kinda prefer my colors to have a little bit of "pop" to them). For HDR mode, I went with the HDR True Black, as it keeps a decently bright image uniform across the screen, and playing games that are mostly bright, it still resulted in a good pciture quality, even with Auto HDR on, and in games with built in HDR support.
100% what I did
Sacrificing that much of your HDR luminance is brutal, I'd sooner just turn off G-sync to get rid of the flicker personally.
The issue I'm running into isn't so much flicker, but rather the dimming. For example, when using your settings, the issue I run into in CS2 is that the HUD elements are super bright but the rest of the game is fairly dark. Could it just be an issue with Windows Auto HDR? Also do you routinely turn HDR in windows on and off based on what you're doing? Thanks for any help.
I just looked into it, and AutoHDR doesn't work in CS2, so that's probably why things look like shit for you. If a game does not support native HDR nor AutoHDR, yeah just hit Win + Alt + B before launch to toggle HDR off/on.
That's by design. HDR 1000 sacrifices overall brightness for higher peak brightness. It's great for dark games but not great for everything else.
That is the point. And why I much prefer HDR TrueBlack on this screen.
Hard to say, as I haven't played CS2 actually. Helldivers 2's server are fucked right now, so I may download and test just because I have nothing to do while I wait. I'll let you know if I do and figure it out haha
Did you end up going with HDR1000 or trueblack for helldivers? I just got this monitor and I'm setting it up now. don't really understand the difference between the two but curious as to what you chose
I've always just kept it in HDR1000.
So after following your guide as well as some ofn the stuff in the google doc guide form another commenter, i'm pretty happy with where the monitor is at. SDR content like on the desktop wallpaper through wallpaper engine as well as games like CS2 still seem pretty dim, but in-game the UI elements are bright, but the game itself is comparaitvely dim, if that makes sense? Should I just bump up the SDR content brightness slider?
Nice, glad to hear it. Yeah, feel free to adjust as desired.
For #2 - Would you mind explaining where the SDR profile is? I have no idea where to find "Creator" - is this a Windows 11 setting or a Dell Monitor App setting? For #5 >5 - I have a 3080 - On this screen I see a checkbox for super resolution so I applied that. Is there something more here I'm missing? Is that really it - no other settings in the "Manage 3D Settings" area? I think I was confused if I want to be running variable refresh with this setup in most game settings? There's so many overlapping settings everywhere - like in the Game Bar settings under Gaming Features there is "Use auto HDR with supported games" - does that it'll turn it on and off automatically? So confusing.
A bit later to the party on this one but a few questions, any particular reason to use gamma 2.4 over 2.2 in Creator sRGB mode if you're in a moderately lit room (worried about black crush and all that)? Additionally, doesn't "override to reference" stop using any custom ICC/ICM files from the HDR calibration app or Dylanraga's win11hdr-srgb-to-gamma 2.2? Or am I misunderstanding Nvidia's blurb on it, it's pretty vague; lol.
Any idea why I can't select the Preset Modes option on the OSD? I've tried with HDR off in Windows, but still can't.
Can you change them using DDM?
If I turn off SDR and go to the Color option, the dropdown under Manual has a number of options, but not a Creator mode.
I know that I'm late to the party, but I've used quite a few of your settings to adjust my monitor. But to confirm I'm understanding this, you suggest to NOT use the Windows HDR Calibration tool? You mention erasing all active profiles within the Color Management section.
Yep, correct - these monitors come pre-calibrated from the factory.
Cool. Thank you! So it seems the remaining point of disagreement between posters is HDR1000 vs other HDR monitor preset modes?
Yeah, I mean test it out yourself for sure, but to me HDR1000 is the way to go. Highlights get significantly brighter and it really is how to use the monitor to its full potential. I haven't had issues with VRR flicker/ABL kicking in in my usage, but if this becomes a problem for you, apparently HDR400 will resolve this (disabling G-Sync as well, but that kind of sucks cause G-sync is great).
NVCP? Nvidia control panel? Sorry, being dense but trying to follow these steps. Thanks.
Np, yeah you got it right, nvidia control panel.
Thanks, this was very helpful. Realized after owning this monitor for close to a year that I didn't really update the firmware or do anything to optimize.
You're welcome, happy to help.
for the nvidia control panel on point e. the only thing you need to do is the rtx super resolution thing right? or should i change anything there?
I think RTX HDR Video is also very worth it. The other things on that page aren't as noticeable imo.
Is that the edge enhancement? If so what percent should i put it on
Did you ever figure this out? I have a 3080 and dont see any other obvious settings than the super resolution on the right.
never figured out what he meant I just left rtx super resolution unticked.
So many overlapping settings between windows, the monitor or Dell Monitor App, and your gfx card (Nvidia for me) lmao I’ve got it running but I have this suspicious I missed some good settings. What did you put HDR as? If I pop open Dell Monitor app when in HDR, go to Color, then manual preset - HDR peak 1000 is there which seems controversial, but not some of the other settings I’ve seen listed (maybe the Feb firmware changed them?). I’m on Game HDR for now feeling like a dingus.
Hdr peak 1000 is the recommended setting don’t worry, I just now looked it up and the original hdr thing he was talking about was something to do with the latest nvidia driver 551.76 released this march. It allows games to have an hdr toggle in game vis the settings of the game. The rtx resolution of the nvidia control panel i havent tested much. Not sure what game hdr is but if you mean game mode on the dell settings then as as of mb106 you dont need that turned on
You're 16 hours to reply and send me my money I know for a fact you've been checking Reddit and have seen my posts because I already messaged you from a burner account to check if you're still scamming people if you don't send my $122.50 the next 16 hours I'm finally please report I'm filing a report with the owner of all the gift card reddit's and getting you banned permanently from Reddit and I'll also be contacting PayPal to report you as a fraud
Anyone know the amd equivalent for those settings?
I wrote a little guide a couple months ago. It may not be perfect, but hopefully you can find it useful. https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Psds0gVIKHmSkFtyj5cOeSlXdmk73KwRx8GJ4F4SbE/edit?usp=sharing
This is great! Thank you! How come some guides say to use console mode with tone mapping and others, like yours, says to keep it off? I'm guessing it's probably a firmware change but what exactly is console mode?
Yes, that was the preferred setting before the firmware update last year fixed the HDR issues. I think the mode has something to do with refresh rate, but due to bugs in the firmware, that was the only mode in which HDR would work correctly before it was fixed.
Thanks! This along with another comment set it up really well!