Discussion Thoughts on the Acer Predator X27U OLED monitor?

[Order 66]

I am thinking about treating myself to nice monitor. I am strongly considering OLED, but would also love to know about other monitors that are competitive in the $500-$700 price range.
Specs of current build:
Ryzen 7 7700x
RX 6800
32GB DDR5 6000
ASUS b650m plus wifi
Seasonic Focus GX 850W 80+ Gold
edit: I should clarify, my max budget is $700, even though I am strongly leaning towards OLED, it is not a requirement and I have some concerns about longevity. Also, I would love to know what can be done to increase the longevity of an OLED monitor.

I am also considering mini-led, depending on the price.

 

[turtletarget111]

Simple things like hiding the task bar and using something like Wallpaper Engine can help ensure you don't get burn in while on the desktop. If you like to have a web browser open to view game information or have TV playing while doing something else, make sure to move the window around every once in awhile. Modern OLED panels have come a long way in terms of durability, and are not nearly as fragile as they used to be. Just avoid leaving your monitor on overnight and take some precautions; your monitor will last a long time.

As far as the the X27U, it is a very capable gaming monitor with its really high refresh rate, high resolution, and extremely low input lag thanks in part to the OLED panel. Keep in mind on this particular monitor that input lag increases more dramatically than other monitors as you start using it at lower frame rates. If you play lots of games that cap at 60 frames per second, or play much newer games that struggle to hit higher frame rates, you might want to look into something else. It also doesn't have support for HDMI 2.1, but again, this may not be a deal breaker for you.

If you want a more well rounded experience, the LG UltraGear 27GR95QE-B might be for you. It can get brighter in HDR and has more coverage of the different color spaces for more vivid highlights. It also has less input lag at lower frame rates and supports HDMI 2.1 for any game consoles or high bandwidth signals you may want to use in the future. It loses some IO and a less flexible stand compared to the Acer, but the HDR may make up for it if you watch TV or play games that support HDR.

 

[Eximo]

I've also had my eye on it to replace my quite old PG279Q. Considering I often operate my monitors below 15% brightness, seems like an ideal fit.

 

[Order 66]

Keep in mind on this particular monitor that input lag increases more dramatically than other monitors as you start using it at lower frame rates. If you play lots of games that cap at 60 frames per second, or play much newer games that struggle to hit higher frame rates, you might want to look into something else.

That doesn’t really apply to me (currently) considering I play either esports games, or if I do play games that are graphically demanding, I usually use a controller (Jedi survivor for example)

It also doesn't have support for HDMI 2.1, but again, this may not be a deal breaker for you.

not at all, I use DP anyway.

 

[Order 66]

Wallpaper Engine can help ensure you don't get burn in while on the desktop.

What’s wallpaper engine? I haven’t heard of it. How does it prevent burn in?

 

[turtletarget111]

It's a program you can buy on Steam that has a library of tens of thousands of animated backgrounds for your desktop, as opposed to a still image that could potentially cause burn in. The majority of users share inappropriate content with it, but it has a legitimate use case for OLED monitors.

 

[Order 66]

It's a program you can buy on Steam that has a library of tens of thousands of animated backgrounds for your desktop, as opposed to a still image that could potentially cause burn in. The majority of users use it to share inappropriate content, but it has a legitimate use case for OLED monitors.

Wouldn’t a solid black background work, or is it better if it’s animated?

 

[turtletarget111]

Wouldn’t a solid black background work, or is it better if it’s animated?

Solid black would also be fine, Wallpaper Engine is nice if you like some extra customization for Windows. As far as Mini LED, they are oddly more expensive than OLED most of the time. If you spend 90% of your time on your PC playing games, the OLED would serve you better.

 

[Order 66]

Solid black would also be fine, Wallpaper Engine is nice if you like some extra customization for Windows. As far as Mini LED, they are oddly more expensive than OLED most of the time. If you spend 90% of your time on your PC playing games, the OLED would serve you better.

I definitely do spend 90% of my time on my pc gaming. I’ve never experienced OLED except on phones. I’ve always wanted to experience it though. Anyone want to share their best experiences with OLED monitors?

 

[turtletarget111]

Well, I've use the LG UltraGear 45GR95QE-B for the better part of a year, and I do have some complaints, not with the monitor, but OLED in general. Text fringing can be annoying sometimes, especially in the Files App with Dark Mode enabled. OLED panels also don't typically get as bright as high end Nano IPS monitors, which is sometimes a let down when I want to watch a movie once in awhile. However, the perfect blacks, instantaneous response time and lighting fast refresh rates are things I always notice and would never trade for any other feature. If you want zero compromise PC gaming, OLED is the way to do it.

 

[Order 66]

I’ve heard that OLEDs in general have not great full screen brightness, on the desktop. I think the average monitor I mentioned is only 168 nits with a full screen white image, is this noticeable in everyday use?

 

[Eximo]

I have seen an LG OLED monitor in person. Sitting next to other LCDs, the image appears darker. However, the contrast between the dark and light parts of the image is far greater. Being an emissive display you are looking more or less directly at the light source as opposed to through an LCD's layers. Most of them have a boost mode where you can get more brightness, but that will likely result in shorter lifespan for the monitor.

I too am worried about the text, however, I have a purpose built gaming system and do all my non-gaming tasks with an entirely different setup. Not to mention I wouldn't be throwing out my old monitor for any reading. I actually kind of want to get large format e-ink display just for that.

 

[Order 66]

I have seen an LG OLED monitor in person. Sitting next to other LCDs, the image appears darker. However, the contrast between the dark and light parts of the image is far greater. Being an emissive display you are looking more or less directly at the light source as opposed to through an LCD's layers. Most of them have a boost mode where you can get more brightness, but that will likely result in shorter lifespan for the monitor.

I too am worried about the text, however, I have a purpose built gaming system and do all my non-gaming tasks with an entirely different setup. Not to mention I wouldn't be throwing out my old monitor for any reading. I actually kind of want to get large format e-ink display just for that.

That's probably what I would do as well, keep my other LCD monitor for static elements and text.

 

[Order 66]

I have seen an LG OLED monitor in person. Sitting next to other LCDs, the image appears darker. However, the contrast between the dark and light parts of the image is far greater. Being an emissive display you are looking more or less directly at the light source as opposed to through an LCD's layers. Most of them have a boost mode where you can get more brightness, but that will likely result in shorter lifespan for the monitor.

I too am worried about the text, however, I have a purpose built gaming system and do all my non-gaming tasks with an entirely different setup. Not to mention I wouldn't be throwing out my old monitor for any reading. I actually kind of want to get large format e-ink display just for that.

How long is the typical lifespan of an OLED monitor, at max brightness? I want the perfect blacks and incredible contrast, but I use it in a brightly lit room with no lighting control, other than turning off the artificial lights.

 

[Eximo]

I think the best warranty so far is only 3 years from LG and ASUS, so not expecting much. Depends on how many hours you put into it and the brightness level.

Acer does not specify, so probably the typical 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Really a luxury item, and I think I will treat it as a more disposable monitor if I end up getting one.

 

[Order 66]

I think the best warranty so far is only 3 years from LG and ASUS, so not expecting much. Depends on how many hours you put into it and the brightness level.

Acer does not specify, so probably the typical 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Really a luxury item, and I think I will treat it as a more disposable monitor if I end up getting one.

Another monitor I'm thinking of: https://rog.asus.com/us/monitors/27-to-31-5-inches/rog-swift-oled-pg27aqdm/spec/
Question about the quoted max brightness of 450 nits, is that a full screen white image or what is being displayed at 450 nits?

 

[Eximo]

I assume full screen white from what I have seen of calibration and measurement tools. But that is how they are all measured.

Says 1000 nits in HDR mode, but you really can't trust what they say.

rtings.com is the most comprehensive place to look if they have reviewed it.

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/asus/rog-swift-oled-pg27aqdm

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/acer/predator-x27u-bmiipruzx

 

[turtletarget111]

Another monitor I'm thinking of: https://rog.asus.com/us/monitors/27-to-31-5-inches/rog-swift-oled-pg27aqdm/spec/
Question about the quoted max brightness of 450 nits, is that a full screen white image or what is being displayed at 450 nits?

The ROG monitor would be a step up from the Acer Predator, if you have the cash for it. The Acer can sometimes show vertical bars when displaying one uniform color, like a gray in a game menu. The ROG doesn't run into this problem, as it has better uniformity across the panel. It is also a tad brighter, but the 450 nits they advertise is strictly in HDR mode. Using the display in SDR will still give you better brightness than the Predator, but not by a significant margin.

 

[Order 66]

The ROG monitor would be a step up from the Acer Predator, if you have the cash for it. The Acer can sometimes show vertical bars when displaying one uniform color, like a gray in a game menu. The ROG doesn't run into this problem, as it has better uniformity across the panel. It is also a tad brighter, but the 450 nits they advertise is strictly in HDR mode. Using the display in SDR will still give you better brightness than the Predator, but not by a significant margin.

Is it viable to run these monitors in hdr mode all the time?

 

[turtletarget111]

Enabling HDR in Windows does a lot more harm than good the majority of the time, so it's best to leave it off. Maxing out brightness can also decrease the lifespan of your OLED, as the self illuminating pixels have to work harder and also generate more heat.

 

[Order 66]

Enabling HDR in Windows does a lot more harm than good the majority of the time, so it's best to leave it off. Maxing out brightness can also decrease the lifespan of your OLED, as the self illuminating pixels have to work harder and also generate more heat.

That’s all well and good, but what if I want the deep blacks and infinite contrast of OLED, but I’m in a brightly lit room with no lighting control. The only solution that I can think of is to run the monitor at it’s max (in this case) 450 nits of brightness.

 

[Order 66]

rtings.com is the most comprehensive place to look if they have reviewed it.

Unfortunately, they apparently don't have burn in tests for monitors, which is annoying as it is arguably more important than TVs since desktop use involves a lot of static images and logos that would burn in easily.

 

[Eximo]

Plenty of anecdotal evidence out there of either immediate issues or less than one year issues. But I would posit that those people did exactly what you aren't supposed to do with them. Static things on the display for long periods. And mostly first generation OLED monitors and TVs intended for desktop use.

The best they could do is take the ones they've bought and run them until they fail. These things haven't been around that long. If they wanted to test several different modes or brightness levels, that would mean keeping several of them running 24/7. And then how do you define the workload? A static desktop image with fine details in menus? A comprehensive suite that alternates between video, browsing, etc. You'll get completely different results, and to expand workload type out to include the brightness levels you would be looking at half a dozen or more monitors. Multiply that by all their monitor reviews and you can see where it starts to get silly to expect it.

I would just say if you can't afford to replace an OLED monitor in a relatively short time period, might not be the best option. Because if it does get burn in you would be stuck with it.

 

[Order 66]

Plenty of anecdotal evidence out there of either immediate issues or less than one year issues. But I would posit that those people did exactly what you aren't supposed to do with them. Static things on the display for long periods. And mostly first generation OLED monitors and TVs intended for desktop use.

The best they could do is take the ones they've bought and run them until they fail. These things haven't been around that long. If they wanted to test several different modes or brightness levels, that would mean keeping several of them running 24/7. And then how do you define the workload? A static desktop image with fine details in menus? A comprehensive suite that alternates between video, browsing, etc. You'll get completely different results, and to expand workload type out to include the brightness levels you would be looking at half a dozen or more monitors. Multiply that by all their monitor reviews and you can see where it starts to get silly to expect it.

I would just say if you can't afford to replace an OLED monitor in a relatively short time period, might not be the best option. Because if it does get burn in you would be stuck with it.

With that in mind, is there a way to have the desktop and taskbar on a secondary LCD monitor, so that they wouldn't be on the OLED monitor, and thus burn in? Also is there a way to set things to open on a certain monitor?

 

[Eximo]

Many things are possible. Particularly if you sit down with powershell. Also probably some utilities out there for that kind of stuff.

But in the case of monitor, it should be off if you aren't using it. As mentioned before a blank screen saver with a short timer is a good defense. Or a dynamic background image as well.

You don't have to display the task bar in Windows, you can even have it self hide.