Best video settings to use with new gaming monitor on Series X

CamelMaestro · Sep 28, 2023

Hi I am using a Xbox Series X and just got a HyperX Armada 27 ([link](https://hyperx.com/products/hyperx-armada-27-gaming-monitor?variant=42751899435165)) - don't worry, only paid $180 for it haha

Main specs: 1440p, 144Hz, and G-sync support

But beyond applying 1440p and 120Hz refresh rate I'm pretty lost on what to apply.

Variable Refresh Rate: I know G-sync isn't supported, but it's giving me the option to select it "Off", "Always On", and "Gaming Only". Does this mean this monitor supports VRR and it would work well with this display if it's giving me the option to turn it on?

Allow HDR10: Should I check this on? I'm leaning toward yes I should.

Color Depth: Should I select 24 bits per pixel (8-bit), 30 bits per pixel (10-bit), or 36 bits per pixel (12-bit)

Color Space: Should I select Standard or PC RGB?

Let me know if I'm missing anything! I appreciate any and all help with this!

:)

Obsessive Power

According to AMD, the HyperX Armada 27 supports FreeSync. which is a version of VRR. The manual does not mention FreeSync, so I guess to enable it, you need to make sure G-Sync is enabled. I would select 'always on' as the Xbox has it's own built in ability to change refresh rates for video streaming and Blu-ray/DVD playback

HDR 10 should be left on. As for colour depth, on this display, it's not going to make much difference really. This display only supports what is called 'HDR 400' which is a really limited form of HDR technology. Decent HDR is 600+ and excellent HDR is 1000+

In essence, this display doesn't get anywhere near bright enough for good HDR.

CamelMaestro

Thank you so so much!!! This is super helpful!

So glad it has free sync support as well

As for the color depth and color space options do I leave those unchanged at 8-bit and standard options, respectively, based on your HDR comment? Or would you recommend changing those up at all?

Thanks!

SigmaTheDJ

For VRR, you want it either "always on" or "gaming only". If you have it always on, you may notice a little jerkiness when playing back game clips and if you do that a lot and find it annoying, switch it to "gaming only". The only real downside to "gaming only" is that every time you launch or quit a game, your monitor will go black for a couple of seconds while it switches modes.

That monitor uses an 8-bit panel, so set the colour depth to 8-bit.

For the colour space, set it to PC RGB as your monitor supports the full 0-255 RGB range.

Along with Obsessive Power's answer, I think that covers everything. Once you've gone through the video settings, make sure you calibrate the screen, including calibrating it for HDR gaming. The console has decent calibration tools built into the OS, so just run through those and you'll be all set.

SigmaTheDJ

Assuming you're not running an insider build, have you installed the latest system update, which was released yesterday? If not, install that, then try it again.

Failing that, you could do a factory reset, choosing the option to keep your games and apps installed. You'll need to sign back into your account(s) when that's done.

I'm not sure of a good alternative option to using the built-in tools.

CamelMaestro

Awesome!! Thank you both so so much!!

Real quick, do you happen to have any resources for how to calibrate the HDR settings? I tried running the program installed on Xbox and it just craps out lol

Best video settings to use with new gaming monitor on Series X