Quick check before I buy...

[Plec]

Seen a variety of settings 'recommended' - do you have any you'd suggest?

Every panel is different - even within same model - you will need to experiment. I use 'slightly' different settings on my identical Dells but they're calibrated .

not sure what to look for to determine whether it's a 'panel error'.... any tips?

Calibration/experimentation to try and correct your description is your only way - unless the problem is obviously a fault (as mentioned - re-reading your description does sound damning).

I will add i did a very quick google of that model - most reviews were good, even posistive, mentioning how vibrant colours were (scan reading closing comments) but this one - Clicky mentions washed out colours and what they did to try and remedy. Also, i got a few hits of users asking for calibration for similar issues (but this would be normal if i Googled any monitor).

I would play with calibration - it's the "way too bright" comment in your description that sticks out. If you can't get a colour reproduction/brightness that you would expect from a TN panel - RMA.

*Additional: Draw curtains, make the room as dark as possible, and look for back light bleed. If you have excessive bleed may be part if the issue.

 

[Whitebear]

Thanks @Plec - have just read that same article and it is pretty accurate. Especially the"villainous game settings" relating to 'Shadow Control'. I've dropped this down to 30 and blacks are miles better, 35 would be ideal (but it only has increments of 10). A few more tweaks with gaming colour controls has improved the colour intensity. Will need to see what it's like for games once I've completed my build, but for now it's at an acceptable level for a £180 freesync/g-sync 144hz screen.

 

[Webster]

I don't have your particular panel and as Plec has mentioned every panel is different.

I also saw the same as above that most reviews were good and the colours decent, so fingers crossed playing around with the settings will solve for you.

If the panel is at fault you won't be able to get it to a level you deem acceptable for the price point.

 

[Whitebear]

First build day today! Wish me luck!! Rx580 arrived in the post and looks in good nick. Hope it all works first time...

 

[Plec]

Good luck - I would do a complete spec list so we can readily see all your components if you run into problems.

Setting up an imgur account is also useful in anticipation of you having trouble explaining/identifying a problem. Hopefully, it won't be needed.

 

[Whitebear]

Good luck - I would do a complete spec list so we can readily see all your components if you run into problems.

Ok, so problem one. CPU fan logo gets in way of RAM on one side and backplate socket cover on other... i.e. won't fit

 

[Plec]

Ok, so problem one. CPU fan logo gets in way of RAM on one side and backplate socket cover on other... i.e. won't fit

complete spec list

 

[Whitebear]

2600
Corsair vengeance lpx
Gigabyte aorus b450 itx pro wifi

 

[Plec]

Not sure how - you have removed motherboard bracket?

i.e. the brackets holding the backplate for the cooler to screw into.

 

[Whitebear]

Not sure how - you have removed motherboard bracket?

Yep.

Only option i can see is removing the fan and rotating it. But can't get the screws out as they are blocked by the fan shroud. Wonder if it unclips?

Edit. Actually that is the answer. Really really easy to unclip, remove fan, rotate and replace.

 

[Plec]

Rotate heatsink 180 degrees.

Or this:

Edit. Actually that is the answer. Really really easy to unclip, remove fan, rotate and replace.

 

[Whitebear]

All built. Now to press power and see if it works... then tidy cables.

@Plec so.. turned on and cpu fan turns. However not the gpu fan. And no signal coming to monitor.... yikes. All i get on gpu is a white led1 near the 8 pin. Its a asus rx580 dual oc.

Any ideas?

 

[Plec]

All built. Now to press power and see if it works... then tidy cables.

Did it conform to its introduction to electricity?

 

[Whitebear]

Did it conform to its introduction to electricity?

No. See edit on last comment....

 

[Plec]

No. See edit on last comment....

Just

Did it conform to its introduction to electricity?

@Plec so.. turned on and cpu fan turns. However not the gpu fan. And no signal coming to monitor.... yikes. All i get on gpu is a white led1 near the 8 pin. Its a asus rx580 dual oc.

That would be a no :/

Check that you've plugged the output into the GPU and not the motherboard/onboard by mistake (easily done)?

 

[Whitebear]

Check that you've plugged the output into the GPU and not the motherboard/onboard by mistake (easily done)?

Definitely into GPU, tried a couple of sockets.

 

[Plec]

Have you checked the monitor is set to the correct input?

Check and double check all inputs/connections. Also, remove one stick/rotate sticks.

Are you testing within or outside case?

 

[Whitebear]

All sorted! Noob error that I won't mention. Suffice to say checking all cables again is a good plan.

 

[Plec]

Suffice to say checking all cables again is a good plan.

Easily done - we've all done it.

 

[Whitebear]

Easily done - we've all done it.

Enjoyed the build, let my son do most of it which he loved. Only got as far as loading up the Bios screen, but he thought even that was epic. Tbh so did I.
Hopefully sort out windows and drivers tomorrow evening and check out how well it works. Must find myself a guide for what order to do these in...
Only niggle at the moment is the cpu fan is making a noise that goes when I hold the surround... wondering if something to do with fact I rotated it? May just remove it entirely.