An expert uses an OLED monitor for 3,000 hours in everyday life. The results surprise the YouTuber positively. Because when he checks the damages, they are less than expected.
The tech YouTuber Optimum has used an OLED monitor for over 3,000 hours within two years. During these two years, three programs were mainly used:
- The shooter Overwatch 2, which will soon only be called Overwatch
- DaVinci Resolve, a video editing program.
- Fusion 360, a cloud-based 3D modeling platform.
All three programs have one thing in common: They all rely on static menus that cannot be hidden. Such static menus are generally a problem for OLED monitors and often cause so-called burn-in damage. These are permanent damages where static elements remain visible on the display.
The special thing about his test is that it involves normal everyday use of the monitor. As a result, the results of the “test” are much more practical compared to a stress test, as experts conduct with OLED models.
After 3,000 hours, there is burn-in, but it is not as severe as expected
How bad are the damages? Especially the shooter Overwatch has affected the display of the monitor: After nearly 500 hours of gameplay, you can see the health bar and the character’s symbol slightly showing through in the lower left corner.
In everyday use, this burn-in damage hardly noticeable, the YouTuber has to set the display very dark for the damages to be seen with the naked eye.
Another damage comes from DaVinci Resolve: Here, the editing timeline has burned into the display. This damage is also only partially noticeable and therefore not very disturbing.
Does the YouTuber have recommendations? Yes, on the one hand, you should take advantage of the 3-year support period that most providers currently offer when burn-in damages are noticed.
His second recommendation: One should definitely keep all screen-care functions activated. Because this particular function ensures that the OLED display wears out significantly slower, for instance, by using pixel refreshing, which shifts individual pixels.
What is generally recommended? Static elements, such as certain performance or news banners on televisions, promote burn-in on OLED models. A varied usage and automatic “pixel refresh cycles” from the manufacturers help to reduce burn-in but do not completely prevent it. Also, the Switch OLED offers a function that is supposed to prevent burn-in, which you should definitely keep activated.
More tips on monitors: Are you looking to buy a new gaming monitor or want to get detailed information about your options? Then pay attention to the following features when purchasing a monitor: The 8 most important features you should pay attention to when buying a gaming monitor
