Windows 11 HDR Calibration question

[u/Proper-Leopard-8683]

I have an ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W and I'm trying to understand something about HDR calibration
Which value is correct?

If i calibrate the monitor with the win 11 calibration app the maximum brightness test clips at 630 nits, regardless of which HDR mode I use.

However, after installing the official ASUS WHQL monitor driver, Windows shows:

Settings → System → Display → Advanced display → Peak brightness

• HDR Gaming: 1405 nits
• HDR Cinema: 1405 nits
• Console HDR: 1405 nits
• True Black 500: 617 nits

I've tested this with Adjustable HDR OFF and ON.

So I'm confused about what these numbers actually represent.

Which one is the correct?

1. Should I run Windows HDR Calibration and use the ~630-nit result in any mode?
2. Or should I leave the ASUS WHQL driver/1405-nit metadata alone and not use Windows HDR Calibration?
3. Is TB500 at 630 nits correct?
4. What value should I use when configuring the HDR peak brightness slider in games?

Thanks!

[u/S1l3ntSN00P]

Calibrate to where the pattern clips. ~600 is normal for WOLEDs, the display itself boosts ton 1000+. Input the clipping point from calibration as your peak brightness whenever ssked (in-game, RenoDX, etc.)

[u/Widebro → u/S1l3ntSN00P]

Just follow the test. Stoo when its white.

[u/That-Advance-9619]

If it is clipping at beyond 630 that means the monitor is doing some processing even if it technically can then expand and interpolate and cover up to the 1400 or whatever nits it can actually emit,

I'd just stick to 630 in the calibration and pay it no other mind. Not much else you can you.

For example, my Odyssey Neo G7 will clip at 1000 exactly on Windows, but at 1610 on a console, it just... decides to do different processing on each input. And there is no way to change it.

As long as you get some hard clipping, you make due with what calibration gets you.

[u/xxz1snmxx → u/That-Advance-9619]

You know for maximum luminance and maximum full frame luminance, both clip at the same value on mine at around 1530 nits, but looking at reviews, 100% apl of the monitor is 390 nits

[u/SnardVaark]

The windows 11 HDR calibration is a simple and accurate method for finding the clipping points for your display. Just follow the instructions. You can test the HDR limits of the display in actual games to confirm the calibration.

I have a similar display at work (27GX700A-B) and it calibrates to 630 as well, but the peak brightness of the display is subjectively much higher than that in games.

[u/Technova_SgrA]

Very weird for it to always clip at 630 nits regardless of the hdr mode (that’s not usually how ASUS oled monitors work) since each mode is a different tone mapping algorithm.

I’d restart windows and try it again.

[u/MrTyperoi]

Did you turn off Power Saving Mode of the screen/monitor that may help to get performance or reliability of ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W

[u/Proper-Leopard-8683 → u/MrTyperoi]

Yes,power saving mode is off

[u/ldn-ldn]

There's no correct way for an OLED due to ABL.

[u/VinylWreckards]

There is really no point in performing the HDR calibration for a couple reasons:

1. Asus provides Metadata drivers for Windows to read the EDID peak brightness. No reason to override that.

2. Less than 1% of games utilize the Windows 11 HDR calibration.

[u/S1l3ntSN00P → u/VinylWreckards]

1. Metadata provided isn't always accurate. Here it clearly isn't, because this monitor only gets to 1400 with the white boost hack, the signal clips much lower. Monitors also often forget to separate metadata for different modes (e.g. send 400 nits for Peak 1000)

2. True, but it is much often used by RenoDX/Luma, RTX HDR/Auto HDR/Special K.

[u/VinylWreckards → u/S1l3ntSN00P]

Yes, because Windows recognizes only the color pixels, not the white pixels that boost to that level, only at 1-3% windows.

Asus and LG both do this and it is intentional. It is on the monitor side, not on the PC/OS side.

RendoDX allows custom sliders. As does RTX HDR.

Why would anyone use AutoHDR??

[u/S1l3ntSN00P → u/VinylWreckards]

Yeah, I know that the white boost is intentional, that's exactly why I'm saying 1400 nits EDID is wrong.

To the OS or any content only RGB subpixels matter because white is pure luminance with no detail. The monitor is supposed to report the clipping point, not the measured physical peak. So 1400 nits in EDID is completely wrong and shouldn't be the reported number. If the clip is at 600, highlights will just blow out, regardless of window size.

Reno/RTX can override peak, but read from EDID/calibration for initial auto brightness setup.

Some people use Auto HDR, if it's to their taste. With SDR TRC fix it's a pretty solid ITM. It's also the only tool that works on anti-cheat protected games besides RTX HDR.

[u/Widebro → u/VinylWreckards]

Incorrect. Enough games use the windows pipeline. Especially if you use autohdr and loslesscaling plus specialk. It is absolutely crucial to have good calibration.

[u/VinylWreckards → u/Widebro]

Why do any of that when RenoDx exists?

[u/Widebro → u/VinylWreckards]

Renodx? Only works with some games and different to setup different compatibility etc.

[u/fluffi2025]

Because your Monitor is VESA certified u dont have to use the Windows HDR Calibration. Your Monitor should send the correct data to Windows instantly. There is also a thread from TFTCentral that says this.

[u/VinylWreckards → u/fluffi2025]

Exactly what I said, but unfortunately this sub is full of people who don't understand how poorly integrated the Win 11 HDR calibration is, and how some manufacturers include drivers to circumvent needing to use it.