Question Sudden death of my monitor ?

[koilada]

I have had a Samsung S22A350H / SyncMaster A350 for the past 13 years. Suddenly I only have this picture, a vertical line in the center.
https://ibb.co/S0KT256

Is it completely dead? Is there anything I can do to check?

I' d like to buy another one but with same specs(LED 21.5" - Full HD 1920 x 1080 - pixels 16:9 - 2 ms - 250 cd/m² - 1000:1)
I haven't watched the monitor market and I don' t play games, only some MAME. Do you have any similar monitors to recommend?

 

[Aeacus]

Is there anything I can do to check?

Hook it behind 2nd PC to validate it not being PC issue.

Is it completely dead?

Nothing lasts for forever though.

I' d like to buy another one but with same specs(LED 21.5" - Full HD 1920 x 1080 - pixels 16:9 - 2 ms - 250 cd/m² - 1000:1)

Take your pick,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/m...sort=price&page=1&G=10000000000,2000000000000

Cheapest 21.5" is ~130 bucks. For less, you could get 24" or even 27" monitor.

E.g for 110 bucks;
MSI G27C3F (27", 1080p, 16:9, 180 Hz, 1ms, 300 cd/m², 3000:1, curved 1500R)
specs: https://www.msi.com/Monitor/G27C3F
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Non-Glare-Refresh-resolution-G27C3F/dp/B0CRMSLQ1D

Solid upgrade over what you had.

 

[koilada]

Hook it behind 2nd PC to validate it not being PC issue.

No, PC is fine. I have it connected with a TV now and works properly.

Take your pick,
pcpp: https://pcpartpicker.com/products/m...sort=price&page=1&G=10000000000,2000000000000

wow, so many monitors of 1 ms. But unfortunately they don't exist in my country.
I' d like no more than 24" and I don't think I need a curve one. I would prefer again Samsung, and this one looks like good for my AMD card. What do you think? (link)

 

[Aeacus]

What do you think? (link)

Looks good. VA panel with high contrast ratio (deep, rich blacks).

 

[koilada]

Looks good. VA panel with high contrast ratio (deep, rich blacks).

Some users say that the VA panel blurs the fonts when scrolling on a black background. Is this true?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJoi7MDBWus

 

[Aeacus]

Some users say that the VA panel blurs the fonts when scrolling on a black background. Is this true?

That's ghosting and depends more on the specific monitor, rather than VA panel in general.

I too have VA panel monitor: MSI Optix MAG241CR,
specs: https://www.msi.com/Monitor/Optix-MAG241CR/Specification

And my monitor also has some text ghosting. Not as bad as on that video you linked.
Also, i've gotten used with mine (have used it for 5 years now) and i don't consider it being an issue.

 

[Flayed]

I have had a Samsung S22A350H / SyncMaster A350 for the past 13 years. Suddenly I only have this picture, a vertical line in the center.
https://ibb.co/S0KT256

13 years is pretty good. I had an AOC monitor die after 6 years which I wasn't too happy about at the time.

 

[Aeacus]

13 years is pretty good. I had an AOC monitor die after 6 years which I wasn't too happy about at the time.

My longest running monitor was 17" CRT one, that was bought brand new and lasted me 13 years and 8 months until it gave up the ghost.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I' d like no more than 24" and I don't think I need a curve one.
I would prefer again Samsung, and this one looks like good for my AMD card.

Why no more than 24" ?
Do you have some space limitations?
Larger screen is easier to see. Our vision usually gets worse with age.

Anyway - if you're susceptible to ghosting, then choose IPS screen instead.

 

[koilada]

Why no more than 24" ?
Do you have some space limitations?
Larger screen is easier to see. Our vision usually gets worse with age.

Anyway - if you're susceptible to ghosting, then choose IPS screen instead.

Yes it's a small desk but I think over 24" isn't comfortable. Actually I'd still like to have 22", but I can't find it in 1-2ms.
Now I'm using a 32" screen and it's hard to play a racing game on it.
If our vision gets worse, then we have to use glasses. I always wear them when I'm on the screen
After thinking I believe I want a VA panel, for better black.
As soon as I get my new monitor I' ll write here my impressions.

 

[koilada]

So I got the Samsung we were talking about. There is no motion blur on the black background. The general first impression is good, except for the settings button. There is only one button, which you move up-down-right-left to go to the menus. It is covered with plastic which will surely be damaged by use. There are some questions

- The refresh rate remains at 60Hz. It has option for 120 and 180. What changes if I go to 120/180?

- AMD FreeSync is off by default. I have an AMD card, so should I put it on? what exactly does it help with?

- My card has HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort 1.2 while the monitor has HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4.
Will I gain anything by making a DisplayPort connection with the supplied cable?

 

[Aeacus]

There is no motion blur on the black background.

👍

except for the settings button. There is only one button, which you move up-down-right-left to go to the menus.

My MSI monitor has the same, joystick type of button.

But my monitor also has dedicated software, where i can control all same settings, as with via physical joystick on monitor.

The refresh rate remains at 60Hz. It has option for 120 and 180. What changes if I go to 120/180?

In desktop/web browser view - nothing. Since you have still image in front of you.

Only diff, IF you can spot it, is in (fast paced) games, where movement is a bit smoother at 120/180 Hz, rather than at 60 Hz, given that the FPS in games is also 120/180 FPS. If FPS in games is 60 or ~80, i'm quite sure you can't tell a diff even when you're running 120/180 Hz.

Note: if you enable 120 Hz or 180 Hz in monitor, you have to do the same from Windows settings as well. Else-ways, Windows will limit the refresh rate to 60 Hz, since it was the previous default.

AMD FreeSync is off by default. I have an AMD card, so should I put it on? what exactly does it help with?

AMD FreeSync (and others alike, like Nvidia G-Sync, Vsync, adaptive sync), all try to do same thing: reduce screen tearing and flickering while gaming.

Further reading: https://www.amd.com/en/products/graphics/technologies/freesync.html

My card has HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort 1.2 while the monitor has HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4.
Will I gain anything by making a DisplayPort connection with the supplied cable?

No.

GPU is still able to output resolutions and refresh rates based on HDMI 1.4 and DP 1.2.
It just means that your monitor is capable of accepting higher resolutions and refresh rates due to HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4, but in reality, your GPU can not provide that. So, no point to get HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.4 cable.

 

[koilada]

Only diff, IF you can spot it, is in (fast paced) games, where movement is a bit smoother at 120/180 Hz, rather than at 60 Hz, given that the FPS in games is also 120/180 FPS. If FPS in games is 60 or ~80, i'm quite sure you can't tell a diff even when you're running 120/180 Hz.

AMD FreeSync (and others alike, like Nvidia G-Sync, Vsync, adaptive sync), all try to do same thing: reduce screen tearing and flickering while gaming.

I see, so if I can't get 120 fps in a game (this depends on the card), then the 120 refresh rate is useless.

What about FreeSync? Can it fix the dropped frames of a low fps game? Driving games usually have them.

And what about Response Time? what exactly does it do?

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I think your response time is more to do with how quickly you see something on screen. In other words if all is running well, let’s say you’re playing a shooter game. Response time I believe is how quickly for example that you see your character’s gun fire on screen after you tell them to do so.


The higher refresh rates are nice though if you ever have a time where you get to upgrade your card to something more powerful then that monitor will be able to keep up. A lot of folks say 60fps is all you can actually see but many say they can a difference when it’s higher than that.

 

[Aeacus]

I see, so if I can't get 120 fps in a game (this depends on the card), then the 120 refresh rate is useless.

Well, it's not that useless.

60 Hz can display up to 60 FPS. 120 Hz can display up to 120 FPS. So, if you get anywhere 60-120 FPS in games, 120 Hz is useful.

What about FreeSync? Can it fix the dropped frames of a low fps game? Driving games usually have them.

It might. But it also depends on the game since FreeSync also has it's limitations.

And what about Response Time? what exactly does it do?

That was answered above.

A lot of folks say 60fps is all you can actually see but many say they can a difference when it’s higher than that.

Pro players can tell a diff between 60 FPS and 144 FPS. Some even claim that they can make a diff between 144 FPS and 240 FPS.

But most people see 30-60 FPS.
I, personally, above 60 FPS, but not 144 FPS. Once i switched to the 144 Hz/FPS from 60 Hz/FPS, game did feel a bit smoother but other than that, not as much to make a difference (or in other words, not enough that i care about).

 

[koilada]

I think your response time is more to do with how quickly you see something on screen. In other words if all is running well, let’s say you’re playing a shooter game. Response time I believe is how quickly for example that you see your character’s gun fire on screen after you tell them to do so.

This is the menu, what should I choose?
https://ibb.co/2WSsZMX
The advertised time is 1, which option is this? standard? faster? or extreme?
And why isn't "extreme" the only option? Why would anyone choose a lower price?


There is also a problem with the PS2 to USB adapter for the keyboard. As soon as I connected the new monitor it stopped working. Do you think it's a coincidence?

 

[Aeacus]

The advertised time is 1, which option is this? standard? faster? or extreme?

The more extreme it goes, the lower the response time would be.

For example, my MSI monitor also has 3x options regarding response time: Normal, Fast and Fastest.
Did some testing and for my monitor; Normal = 4ms, Fast = 2ms and Fastest = 1ms.

And why isn't "extreme" the only option? Why would anyone choose a lower price?

That, i actually doesn't know. I guess there are reasons why someone would want lower response time. Akin to why you can reduce refresh rate within monitor. Or lower resolution.

There is also a problem with the PS2 to USB adapter for the keyboard. As soon as I connected the new monitor it stopped working. Do you think it's a coincidence?

PS/2 protocol is vastly different from video output protocol. So, i think it is a coincidence.

PS/2 is such a powerful protocol, that any input that you do via that peripheral (KB or mice), it is sent directly to the CPU and CPU is forced to deal with the input, putting all other computes on hold.
USB, in the other hand, is package based and sends small packages to the CPU, that wait in line until CPU is free to deal with USB inputs. No interruption to CPUs operation with USB, like it is with PS/2.

But you can test it out. Unhook new monitor and look if things improve.

 

[koilada]

PS/2 protocol is vastly different from video output protocol. So, i think it is a coincidence.
...............................
But you can test it out. Unhook new monitor and look if things improve.

It's not convenient to remove the monitor and replace it with the TV.
So I guess I need another adapter.
The PS2/USB adapter is useful for me because I can start PC with a key.

The more extreme it goes, the lower the response time would be.

For example, my MSI monitor also has 3x options regarding response time: Normal, Fast and Fastest.
Did some testing and for my monitor; Normal = 4ms, Fast = 2ms and Fastest = 1ms.

So, which option corresponds to the advertised rt 1?
Standard? Faster? Extreme? or the unselectable Extreme (NBR)?

Someone told me that if I activate VRR from Windows, then FreeSync automatically adjusts the range of the refresh rate.
I have Windows 7, do they have VRR? and how do I activate it?

 

[Aeacus]

So, which option corresponds to the advertised rt 1?
Standard? Faster? Extreme? or the unselectable Extreme (NBR)?

Probably the Extreme one (both of them).

For more concrete answer, contact Samsung and ask them.

I have Windows 7, do they have VRR? and how do I activate it?

Win7 is EOL and no support is offered with it. Other than upgrading to Win10. Which you should.
Guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/windows-10-clean-install-tutorial.3170366/

When your PC can support Win7, it for sure can support Win10 as well.

As far as VRR goes, it is part of Win10/11. Activation guide: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000092417/graphics.html

 

[koilada]

Probably the Extreme one (both of them).

For more concrete answer, contact Samsung and ask them.


Win7 is EOL and no support is offered with it. Other than upgrading to Win10. Which you should.
Guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/windows-10-clean-install-tutorial.3170366/

When your PC can support Win7, it for sure can support Win10 as well.

As far as VRR goes, it is part of Win10/11. Activation guide: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000092417/graphics.html

Well, I have some news. I connected the DisplayPort and the refresh rate can now go up to 180. So it looks like you were wrong.
I downloaded the manual from Samsung 's site (I hadn't thought of it until now) and it has a lot of useful info about the matters we' re discussing.
There is also a program that can split screens, Easy Setting Box, but I can't find where to download it.

About Win 10/11, I prefer to remain on Win 7

 

[Aeacus]

I connected the DisplayPort and the refresh rate can now go up to 180. So it looks like you were wrong.

Where did i say that you couldn't get 180 Hz? What is it, where i'm wrong?

I downloaded the manual from Samsung 's site (I hadn't thought of it until now) and it has a lot of useful info about the matters we' re discussing.

Should've done it as soon as you got your monitor. Since without manual, just guessing how it works wastes a lot of time.

About Win 10/11, I prefer to remain on Win 7

You can customize Win10 GUI to look like Win7.
This is actually which i've done for my build. On the outside, it looks like Win7, but in the inside, it is Win10 (with all the latest security updates/fixes).

In the end of the day - your call. But using OS that is 9 years out of date is bad idea + then some.

 

[koilada]

Where did i say that you couldn't get 180 Hz? What is it, where i'm wrong?

Well, I said
My card has HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort 1.2 while the monitor has HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4.
Will I gain anything by making a DisplayPort connection with the supplied cable?

and you answered
No.
GPU is still able to output resolutions and refresh rates based on HDMI 1.4 and DP 1.2.
It just means that your monitor is capable of accepting higher resolutions and refresh rates due to HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4, but in reality, your GPU can not provide that. So, no point to get HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.4 cable.

But I gained refresh rate from 120 to 180

Should've done it as soon as you got your monitor. Since without manual, just guessing how it works wastes a lot of time.

There was no manual in the order package, so I thought there wasn't one. But yesterday I visited the Samsung site and got it from there.
But I can't find the "Easy Setting Box" program, can someone help?

You can customize Win10 GUI to look like Win7.
This is actually which i've done for my build. On the outside, it looks like Win7, but in the inside, it is Win10 (with all the latest security updates/fixes).

In the end of the day - your call. But using OS that is 9 years out of date is bad idea + then some.

I hate Win10/11. Althought I lose VRR and HDR. But I don't use to play modern 3D games. I'm ok with Win 7-64 Ultimate SP1. I see no real reason to change it.

 

[Aeacus]

No.
GPU is still able to output resolutions and refresh rates based on HDMI 1.4 and DP 1.2.
It just means that your monitor is capable of accepting higher resolutions and refresh rates due to HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4, but in reality, your GPU can not provide that. So, no point to get HDMI 2.0 or DP 1.4 cable.

But I gained refresh rate from 120 to 180

DP 1.2 supports;
Up to 288 Hz on 1080p with 8-bit color depth channel or
up to 237 Hz on 1080p with 10-bit color depth channel.

DP 1.4 supports:
Up to 884 Hz on 1080p with 8-bit color depth channel or
up to 770 Hz on 1080p with 10-bit color depth channel.

specs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DisplayPort#Refresh_frequency_limits_for_common_resolutions

So, if your monitor would be 500 Hz panel, you would not get full 500 Hz out of it, since DP 1.2, which your GPU has, supports up to 288 Hz (or 237 Hz) on 1080p.
But since your monitor is nowhere near the 288/237 Hz, there is no actual difference if it operates over DP 1.4 or 1.2.

HDMI 1.4 supports:
Up to 142 Hz on 1080p with 8-bit color depth channel or
up to 116 Hz on 1080p with 10-bit color depth channel.

HDMI 2.0 supports:
Up to 267 Hz on 1080p with 8-bit color depth channel or
up to 221 Hz on 1080p with 10-bit color depth channel.

specs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Refresh_frequency_limits_for_common_resolutions

But I can't find the "Easy Setting Box" program, can someone help?

This thing?
Link: https://www.samsung.com/sg/business/display-solutions/easy-setting-box/

1st result for me, when i put into Google "Easy Setting Box" program.
You can download it and it's manual under "Resources", when scrolling quite a bit down.

I hate Win10/11.

Win10 isn't that bad, especially when you have Win7 GUI on it. No different than Win7 used to be.

But Win11, yes, is something that i too don't like.
Currently waiting for the Win12 release ~Q2 2025 and hoping it would be better than Win11 is.

I'm ok with Win 7-64 Ultimate SP1. I see no real reason to change it.

Once your system gets hacked, data corrupted, ransomware and what not, you may change your tune.
But like i said, your system and your call.

 

[koilada]

DP 1.2 supports;.....................................

Useful info, but let's stick to the fact. With the HDMI cable I had a refresh rate of 120, with the DisplayPort I went to 180.

This thing?
Link: https://www.samsung.com/sg/business/display-solutions/easy-setting-box/

1st result for me, when i put into Google "Easy Setting Box" program.

Υes, but do you see any downloading link there?
But meanwhile someone gave me a link (here).

Once your system gets hacked, data corrupted, ransomware and what not, you may change your tune.

For 15 years this never happened. Hacking how and by whom? Antivirus, firewall, antispyware, etc. won't they protect me?

 

[Aeacus]

Υes, but do you see any downloading link there?

I did say:

You can download it and it's manual under "Resources", when scrolling quite a bit down.

Am i blind or are you blind? 🤔

For 15 years this never happened. Hacking how and by whom? Antivirus, firewall, antispyware, etc. won't they protect me?

For 15 years, people can drive drunk, never having any accident, but that doesn't mean driving drunk is safe and without any risk what-so-ever.

Essentially same is with outdated OS. For outdated OS, none of the software it runs gets updated. And without software and OS updates, vulnerabilities that are found on daily basis, will not get fixed and patched.

Here's informative video for you to watch. While it mostly talks about WinXP and why it is terrible idea to connect that ancient OS to the internet, same applies to all outdated OS'es and he also explains why;

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBDGCDtIWoU