Durability of gaming monitors (specifically Acer)?

[Acer-Victim]

My 27“ Acer Predator monitor went all white after two years; and that happened twice! Both times, the LCD panel failed. The first time, it was replaced under warranty. For the second replacement with a possibly used panel, just under € 200 is due. This comes with a six-month guarantee - but only for the LCD panel itself.

When I asked, Acer could not or would not tell me the normal service life of the LCD panel. Both of my LCD panels didn't survive for 5000 hours each. Acer has expressly confirmed that there are no material or manufacturing defects. From this I conclude that this short lifespan is normal. Acer didn't even claim that its LCD panels usually last much longer; on the contrary. Their repair service has consequently not accommodated me an inch in terms of goodwill. That confirms my suspicion.

I'm not a die-hard gamer who swaps his gaming monitor for a better model every 3-4 years. Acer gaming monitors are not for me (anymore); especially since a gaming monitor costs twice as much as an office monitor. So far I’ve been used to a lifespan of 10+ years for office monitors from other manufacturers; both privately and at work.

Incidentally, I will have my defective monitor returned to me by Acer free of charge and dispose of it myself in the electronic scrap or give it away. At least this way Acer cannot impose my processor board, power supply unit and backlight, which are presumably also about to die, on other customers. Acer expressly reserves the right to do this in its terms and conditions and its repair offer: Acer asserts that so-called "refurbished" used parts have the same life expectancy as brand-new parts. I doubt that.

Is my disappointment understandable or is a service life of two years for gaming monitors standard nowadays?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Sorry, your poll options are way too long, mine lasted less than a year before the power board inside the display died.
It's admittedly not an Acer, but an Asus, but that was RMA #1.
Sadly they messed up so badly when they replaced the power board that I ended up with multiple very visible specks of dust in the panel, so that was RMA #2.
About a year and a half later, the new panel started having serious ghosting issues, as in screen burn like issues where you'd see burn in from anything static that had been on the screen for more than a couple of minutes. So this lead to RMA #3.
I'm now out of warranty and it seems like this panel is developing similar ghosting issues, although not nearly as bad yet.
At the time, this was a ~$1,000 monitor, although I have to admit that I got it for half that from a friend who had owned for less than six months, as he was moving country.

This is the first monitor in nearly 30 years of using computers that I've had problems like this with. The only other monitor I've had issues with was a 28" 4K unit from AOC, but that thing was having so many unrelated issues I don't really know what was going on. I also have a mate that bought the same model and the same problems. At least I was fortunate enough to get a full refund for that one.

That said, I doubt gaming monitors are worse than regular monitors. I guess the thing to make sure of, is that you get a display with as long warranty as possible and at least the Asus RMA service here has been acceptable, if a bit frustrating. I wouldn't say that you should expect 10 years life span out of any monitor, as soon or later the backlight will fail. I had a Samsung LCD screen where the CFL units slowly faded to a point where you had to crank up the brightness to 100% to use it, but that thing lasted 5+ years.
Two years seems pretty poor though and I don't think that's acceptable. No chance to claim it on some kind of home content insurance?

 

[X71200]

I'm reading some stuff that I personally never had happen, it's probably your house wiring or stuff like lightning strikes / related.

AUO makes fine panels with good power supplies, so do LG, Asus rebranded LG panels and many others.

I'd only be vary of off-brand garbage, but nowadays even those work more than 1 year.

 

[Rahnak]

I've had my Asus MG248Q for over 4 years. It's pretty much unusable at 144Hz because the scanlines get so bad. It's not as bad at 120Hz, so that's what I run it at (I think this issue has been there from day 1, but I didn't notice right away). Build quality is decent for the most part, one of the corners of the frame has a very small bulge. That said, I'm probably never buying a monitor from Asus again, their quality control leaves a lot to be desired.

I've been looking to buy a 1440p Dell S2721DGF (better quality control, in theory) but it's out of stock.

 

[X71200]

You could grab an LG 27GL850, similar to the Dell. I think they might even be using the same panel.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I've been looking to buy a 1440p Dell S2721DGF (better quality control, in theory) but it's out of stock.

Mate of mine got one of those recently and he thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread. Took him a while to be able to order one though.
I have an "old" U2515H that my SO uses as her work screen and it has had zero issues and even overclocks to 80Hz.

 

[Rahnak]

You could grab an LG 27GL850, similar to the Dell. I think they might even be using the same panel.

They are using the same panel indeed. But if I remember correctly the Dell achieves better contrast. Not to mention it's quite a bit cheaper over here. The Dell is 430€, the LG is still 500-550€.

 

[X71200]

I know you don't want Asus since your old TN stuff failed, but I'd say the TUF 27 is also quite a nice monitor.

 

[qubit]

@Acer-Victim That sounds like garbage. I've had an Asus 144Hz 3D Vision monitor since 2012 that still works perfectly today. An even older Iiyama.

My main monitor is currently the BenQ in my specs and I bought a used Asus 4K monitor (specs) off a friend that works fine, too.

Years ago, I bought a new Acer gaming monitor, but it had an unwatchable picture: it looked like the sharpness control had been turned up, since there was an obvious fringe around all fine detail. Couldn't find anything in the OSD to turn this off, so showed it to the shop. They couldn't figure it out either, so I got a refund for it.

Some time later, I discovered that this is their overdrive circuit to improve pixel response time and the only way to change it was via a secret menu accessed via a special key combination. No way that this is acceptable design. Since then, I've been wary of buying Acer. A particular model might be good, but why chance it when I know three excellent brands?

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

I'd say stuff the monitor brands. Since monitor is an insignificant chunk of business (compared to TVs) we always get subpar panels with shitty QC and late af tech. My motto is always buy the cheapest monitor of a class and ignore the top of the line models since they're not that apart anyway. Nowadays OLED is available even in laptops but monitor brands can't be arsed enough to make OLED monitors. Fuck Predator, Porsche Design, ROG and all other expensive shit.

 

[X71200]

Acer is AU Optronics, they make literally most of the IPS stuff, like you buy a monitor that is a rebadge of another one by Acer under clothes (or design, should I say).

LG and Samsung are the other primary sellers. Then come some other stuff found in Gigabyte monitors and whatnot (OEM name not on top of my head).

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

@Acer-Victim That sounds like garbage. I've had an Asus 144Hz 3D Vision monitor since 2012 that still works perfectly today. An even older Iiyama.

My main monitor is currently the BenQ in my specs and I bought a used Asus 4K monitor (specs) off a friend that works fine, too.

Years ago, I bought a new Acer gaming monitor, but it had an unwatchable picture: it looked like the sharpness control had been turned up, since there was an obvious fringe around all fine detail. Couldn't find anything in the OSD to turn this off, so showed it to the shop. They couldn't figure it out either, so I got a refund for it.

Some time later, I discovered that this is their overdrive circuit to improve pixel response time and the only way to change it was via a secret menu accessed via a special key combination. No way that this is acceptable design. Since then, I've been wary of buying Acer. A particular model might be good, but why chance it when I know three excellent brands?

Sounds more like panel lottery. A previous commenter tried to deflect the blame off of AUO but since most high refresh rate models use panel from AUO and it's been nothing but complaints like this for the last 4-5 years, at least I know who to put the blame on.
Even top of the line Asus ROG use AUO panels.

 

[X71200]

It is what it is, I've had an LG ultrawide that I loved to death with an aggressive curve. Thing was pre-owned and had like 50 bad pixels. Crap happens, you replace or RMA.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Acer is AU Optronics, they make literally most of the IPS stuff, like you buy a monitor that is a rebadge of another one by Acer under clothes (or design, should I say).

LG and Samsung are the other primary sellers. Then come some other stuff found in Gigabyte monitors and whatnot (OEM name not on top of my head).

Actually, AU Optronics doesn't make IPS at all, they make AHVA panels, which are "IPS-like".
Chimei makes IPS panels on the other hand.
Samsung makes VA panels.

 

[qubit]

Sounds more like panel lottery. A previous commenter tried to deflect the blame off of AUO but since most high refresh rate models use panel from AUO and it's been nothing but complaints like this for the last 4-5 years, at least I know who to put the blame on.
Even top of the line Asus ROG use AUO panels.

Well, the fringing was purely a dumb design decision by Acer with the OSD. The two Asus monitors with AUO TN panels I've got work fine, so maybe I've dodged a bullet there, lol.

 

[X71200]

That it also an it is what it is situation. AHVA is generally tagged as IPS.

 

[Vayra86]

I'm carefully watching my (new) G34WQC right now, as it has already developed brief display interrupts, as in, going black and then coming back up. Seems to happen especially in a cold room, but generally does fine otherwise. Maybe once or twice every two-three days, it occurs. Think I might contact GB for it. I know VA is temp sensitive for the image, but this.... seems power related.

Would be a real shame to RMA this panel... its otherwise flawless image wise.

Last Eizo FG2421 I had did fine over 4 years and I sold it off - the image itself was not quite as good as it used to be, but overall performance was as it always has been, still.

 

[chevy350]

Been using the KG240 for over 3 years with no issue, liked Acer enough I now use that as my 2nd monitor and game on the XV240Y, only had the XV for little over 2 months but no issues so far. Sorry your having issues but always have to expect some issue with electronics, could have just gotten one that slipped by maybe

 

[maxfly]

Ive been using my acer XG270HU (tn) since 2016 with no problems. Had a lg 27in 1080p ips with my back up rig for 8 or 9 years problem free as well. Tbh the only issue ive ever had with any monitor was an ancient 22in acer that has a couple dead pixels but still works fine despite its age. Its been relegated to my test/back up rig until i find a proper replacement. Just been lucky i guess, as i only really did any research on my main monitor. KNOCKING ON WOOD.

 

[rethcirE]

Acer GF246 model here. Only 75Hz, owned since early 2019 on sale. No issues to date. I bought it mostly because it matched my (then) Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop.

 

[Caring1]

Depends what you class as "gaming" but I still have an old Acer 19" Monitor that works perfectly.
I'm not sure of it's age but it's been around a while.

 

[R-T-B]

Actually, AU Optronics doesn't make IPS at all, they make AHVA panels, which are "IPS-like".
Chimei makes IPS panels on the other hand.
Samsung makes VA panels.

They are making much more IPS than VA tech these days (AMVA is their VA tech AHVA is pretty much IPS in all but name... ) That info was once true, but hasn't been for a few years.

Chimei/Innolux still makes a large quantity of SVA panels, unsure the percentage.

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

Actually, AU Optronics doesn't make IPS at all, they make AHVA panels, which are "IPS-like".
Chimei makes IPS panels on the other hand.
Samsung makes VA panels.

They are making much more IPS than VA tech these days (AMVA is their VA tech AHVA is pretty much IPS in all but name... ) That info was once true, but hasn't been for a few years.

Chimei/Innolux still makes a large quantity of SVA panels, unsure the percentage.

You people are just arguing on semantics. IPS is the name of the technique and and also trademarked by LG. PLS is Samsung's and AHVA is AUO's brand-name with the same technique.

IPS (In-Plane Switching), PLS (Plane to Line Switching) and AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) panels

 

[R-T-B]

You people are just arguing on semantics. IPS is the name of the technique and and also trademarked by LG. PLS is Samsung's and AHVA is AUO's brand-name with the same technique.

IPS (In-Plane Switching), PLS (Plane to Line Switching) and AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) panels

No, I'm not. I stated AHVA is IPS in all but name. AMVA and SVA are VA techs though and completely different categories of LCD.

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

No, I'm not. I stated AHVA is IPS in all but name. AMVA and SVA are VA techs though and completely different categories of LCD.

Yes yes. You're right