SerpApi.Org
Outside of updating my GPU drivers, I've never felt the need to rely on the Nvidia App. When DLSS 4.5 came out with a driver update, I used it once to set DLSS Override to Preset L for Super Resolution, but after that, I went right back to ignoring it. If I wanted to use frame generation or switch between DLSS modes, I'd just use the in-game settings and call it a day. But that changed when 007 First Light's native HDR implementation had issues with frame generation, pushing me to use RTX HDR as a workaround.
At first, I didn't expect much from what's pretty much a driver-level HDR filter, but it was good enough that I didn't feel like I was missing out. That made me wonder how it would look in games that don't support HDR, like Valorant and Black Myth: Wukong. And now that I use two OLED monitors for gaming, I think RTX HDR has become almost non-negotiable whenever I play older titles. It made highlights stand out much more in SDR games, which is something I now notice every time I disable it.
RTX HDR gives SDR games a visual upgrade
Even older games look better now on my OLED monitor
I've been using OLED monitors like the Alienware AW3423DW since 2022 and, more recently, the AW2725DF, but I've always had to wait for a major AAA release to really appreciate what these panels could do. Most older titles and even modern competitive games still don't support HDR, so I had no option but to play them in SDR. Sure, games still looked better on OLED with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but HDR has always been the feature that makes these displays stand out. Now that RTX HDR is an option, I no longer have to worry about whether a game supports HDR.
All I have to do is make sure I've enabled HDR on Windows (Win + Alt + B), then launch the Nvidia app, go to Graphics -> Global Settings, and set RTX HDR to On. Remember to leave Windows Auto HDR disabled because RTX HDR is supposed to replace it. You can also enable this feature on a per-game basis, which is probably the better option if you only revisit older SDR games every now and then. The difference is immediately noticeable on a proper HDR-certified OLED monitor, as highlights from sunlight, explosions, and other bright light sources pop far more than they do in SDR.
It's like Windows Auto HDR, only better
HDR looks more convincing, and you have more control
The Auto HDR feature on Windows isn't bad by any means, but the results can be inconsistent even if you've used the Windows HDR Calibration app or set up an ICC profile. In some games, I'd say it's almost as good as RTX HDR, but in others, it can lift areas that are supposed to remain dark. Sure, this can sometimes be an issue with RTX HDR too, but unlike Windows Auto HDR, you get separate controls for peak brightness, middle gray, contrast, and saturation, making it much easier to dial back the effect when it doesn't look quite right. And honestly, I think that's the real advantage of RTX HDR.
Windows uses a piecewise SRGB curve to convert SDR into HDR, whereas RTX HDR uses a gamma-based tone curve. As a result, blacks generally look more natural instead of appearing slightly lifted. That said, if the image looks slightly washed out with RTX HDR, I can simply adjust middle gray and contrast separately without touching peak brightness or saturation. With Auto HDR, all I can do is adjust the intensity of the effect, and even that option was grayed out in many of the games I tested.
Performance is the only tradeoff with RTX HDR
But for older games, you likely have the headroom anyway
RTX HDR uses Tensor Cores to convert SDR content to HDR in real time, so it's going to take a toll on your frame rates. In my testing, the FPS hit is usually around 7–10%, which is enough to convince most of you to stick with Windows Auto HDR or, better yet, native HDR whenever it's available, since both barely affect performance. On top of that, some Reddit users have reported that it adds a bit of input lag. So, this is a feature I'd avoid in competitive titles like Valorant and Apex Legends when you want your responsiveness to be at its best.
Of course, you should still prefer native HDR whenever it's available, but I've run into games where HDR doesn't work properly when frame generation is enabled. At that point, RTX HDR is a viable fallback if you don't mind that FPS hit. But for me personally, older games are where RTX HDR makes the most sense. My frame rates are usually well above where I need them to be, especially on my RTX 4090, so that performance trade-off doesn't really matter to me. It's not like I can tell the difference between 120FPS and 100FPS anyway.
RTX HDR made me appreciate the Nvidia App more
Nvidia has packed so many features into the Nvidia App that it's hard to think of it as just a graphics driver updater anymore. RTX HDR and DLSS Override have actually improved how older games look on my monitor. In fact, playing around with RTX HDR made me try out other features in the app. RTX Video Enhancements, like RTX Video HDR and RTX Video Super Resolution, ended up being just as impressive for SDR videos and lower-quality streams. I'm still hoping more developers adopt proper native HDR that works well with frame generation, but until then, I'll keep using RTX HDR as a fallback option.
