HDR gaming on PC: Everything you need to know

We break down what you need for deliciously eye-searing visuals.

- MATT SMITH

High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is often casually brought up by game studios touting the cutting-edge visuals of a new title, as if it’s a common feature PC gamers can easily enjoy. That’s not the reality. Awesome HDR gaming is still difficult to achieve on a Windows PC.

Yet it’s a goal worth pursuing. At it’s best, HDR is a rare example of a truly game-changing technology. HDR can smack you straight across your face with the single most noticeable gain in gaming visuals. This article will explain what you need to know about HDR gaming on PCs, from technology to cable and GPU concerns to settings tweaks.

But before hurtling into HDR gaming goodness, let’s pump the brakes. I’m about to discuss nuances that may be hard to understand. Read PCWorld’s all-in guide to HDR on the PC (go.pcworld.com/g2hd) if you just want the basics. We also have a separate gaming monitor buying guide (go. pcworld.com/mnby) if you’re looking for more information about general non-HDR specifications to look for.

HDR GAMING IS MOSTLY ABOUT PEAK BRIGHTNESS

HDR quality is reliant on a display’s peak brightness, especially when gaming. This is the single most important concept to understand. You should look for a monitor or television with a maximum peak brightness of 1,000 nits or better.

Think back to your favorite spot to watch a sunset in Skyrim or Assassin’s Creed. It no doubt looked gorgeous. But, without HDR, it’s limited. It will never be so bright that you feel a need to shield your eyes, and you’ll lose out on the details near the horizon that are overwhelmed by glare.

HDR can fix that, but only if you have a display bright enough to make a difference.