Hello,

I found this forum a few days ago and reading all I can get. I'm a programmer and work long hours and get eye strain to the level I have to stop working but my mind isn't tired, it's my eyes. I never had this in the past, this is something happening the last 5 years.

My question is, what is the safe choice? I know this is medical and will differ for everybody but is there a consensus in this community that you can say, "Your safest bet on having the best system for your eyes is ...."

Windows7 with SP1 ? Your editor if you're a coder with dark 'Darcula' Theme?

Amd video card with Freesync compatble monitor?

Thanks for the help, I'm running since a longtime i3wm Linux windowmanager but I have to admit the fonts look better in Windows on the eyes than in every linux I try. Font rendering quality is a known problem in Linux.

Cheers.

I am with you. Please keep me posted on what you find. It causes such anxiety. Especially with machine learning and the decentralization that these platforms bring. its empowering but if I cant work with them ,then, its a bit umm depressing.

the three biggest leap forwards I have found have been leaving Ubutnu, switching to an AMD card, and finding out what a legitimate light source is for my eyes.

For me the best thus far has been amd card (RX 470) with the Samsung quantum dot monitor (C24FG70) using the display port at 120hz with low input lag off. still experimenting with freesync.

I had an okay experience with Red Hat text if I remember correctly but couldn't stand the system. I have installed Centos but am unable to get a desktop environment because of lack of internet connection through the initial command line. but I hope to solve these issues.

My lights are here: LEDENET Cold White 5M Double Row 3528 SMD 1200LEDs Flexible Strip Tape Light 240LEDs/M Ribbon Lamp DC 12V 16.4Ft (Cold White Strip)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NHRFAQW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

But when I cut them on, there frequency they operate at is diff from my screen and it causes extra strain. Having proper led channels for heat sinks I have read helps with this and have noticed that myself as I allowed part of the strip to hang freely while other strips were firmly against a metal backing.The quality of the light is different. I had less strain when only using strips that were placed against the metal backing. The metal backing I have them against currently is a 4 ft x 4 tube fluorescent fixture.

These are regulated through voltage. but LEDs from my understanding are inherently constant current, similar to a diode. So I think i have finally found a company that will make a constant current led strip to hopefully ensure a light source that is as consistent as possible. One that uses a power supply similiar to the following:

http://www.meanwell.com/webapp/product/search.aspx?prod=hlg-120h-c

Edit: The constant current led strips have a constant current and high voltage. while the constant voltage strips have a constant voltage and a constant current. finally starting to understand how the led strips work I think

or I may stick with constant voltage if the aluminum channels work in dissipating the heat as I am told.

Lastly, I may exchange my monitor for another. I have read the current model I have can be flaky in terms of quality assurance.

The 2017 model of the quantum dot monitor is the Samsung CH711. It is supposedly due out at the end of May. I think i may give it a go.

Be well. Here is to no eye strain from the screen/system I use nor from the lights I use to aid in using the system/screen. I mean there must be a way. I just see engineers at Google at Facebook. haven't spoken to any but they cant suffer from any real debilitating eye strain because the products they produce require combing through log files with a fine tooth comb and I think on top of that actually enjoying the experience of looking at one's screen. I think we just haven't stumbled on to the proper solution yet.

  • JTL replied to this.

    Wrightpt1 What does machine learning have to do with this? Not having enough time to work with it due to eye strain? 😛

    I personally still use incandescent style bulbs and am looking into some ~30 inch 4k monitors for myself.

      he mentioned he was a programmer. its another tool that I have been limited in my ability to use and feel comfortable with due to eye strain. I relly on my ability and speed to learn to in many ways I think to feel safe. It brings peace to the deepest parts of my soul. if my ability to learn is slowed down it causes serious unease in me. and eye strain has done that. I hope I wasn't inappropriate. pardon me.

      • JTL replied to this.
      • JTL likes this.

        Wrightpt1 No. I am a programmer/IT consultant as well. You hit it spot on. I feel the same way.

          Integrated graphics are a big leap forward for me.

          Getting closer and closer to a solution I think. This has put life at a stand still for way to long. I uninstalled my graphics card yesterday. basically just took it out. reinstalled Windows and installed Intel graphics to work with my i7-6700k which has the Intel® HD Graphics 530. So I am using integrated graphics on Windows and this is an experience that doesn't take away from my quality of life as before. There is still some but it is not consistent. Like looking at my phone and then looking back at my screen Is when I feel it. I can set my computer screen to 60hz and that goes way down. I think I can get around it either by changing my screen or by getting more powerful integrated graphics.

          I am using an shva panel from Samsung. I may go with an IPS because of the viewing angles. To see if it works with my eyes better. Phillips has a quantum dot monitor that is an IPS but I read it is bright. Also, Samsung has an 8 bit IPS panel that is out of this world from what I have read at 24 inches.

          Lastly I quote from an article here: "Intel Iris Pro 6200 graphics engine is the best that Intel has to offer and this is featured in the 5th generation Intel 'Broadwell' Core i7-5775C as its host CPU"

          http://www.hardwarezone.com.my/feature-integrated-graphics-shootout-intel-iris-pro-6200-vs-amd-radeon-r7

          The competitor seems to be the AMD A10 7890K. I may try both of these. With AMD being first. Its a few hundred dollars cheaper.

          Anyway hurray for integrated graphics and productivity. For the win. I am glad to find this community but I hope I can contribute my solution and allow someone else to get out of hell and be on my way. best everyone.

          Another update.

          I closed the door to not allow outside light and that makes a huge different. I am in a room that gets similar light as a basement would. I am finding that I am feeling fortunate for this. Basically no outside light and cold white leds driven by constant voltage is the my best bet at 144hz with intel graphics. The constant voltage leds flicker in my opinion but with my screen operating a 144hz the flicker is at a similar speed it feels.

          If I change the speed of my refresh rate, 120hz for example, the strain returns.

          Am still getting a constant current driven led strip with highest CRI I can find at 6500k or higher, may try 7000k. I think 3014 or 2835 smd is the best for me. I think I may have found some on Alibaba or aliexpress. They seem to be able to plug right in to a constant current supply and that to me guarantee flicker free operation verses the constant voltage strips. Always ready to learn I am wrong though.

          Crazy world, this things we call modernity where artificial light makes my screen so much more friendly to me. I kind of want to jump inside my screen now with the led back drop. like the buttons look like I could pick them up and squeeze them. its kind of awesome. just what I was looking for though. they were a bit drier with the outside light.

          Also, side not. I read that LED light allows the human body to produce vitamin D. so I realize that led light is not perfect. but if I am working in a room with only led light available for the foreseeable future. It made me feel a bit better.

          I just wonder if AMD integrated graphics would be any better than intel for Windows being that my screen seems to work with freesync, an AMD technology.

          added incandescent lights as a backdrop in front of the leds. That helps even more.

          I am not able to find constant current led strips. I think what I am going to do is buy the leds that go in the panel of a led monitor or tv and use them in my computer room. They are constant current and I found a tutorial online. If anyone has tried this or thinks this may be a bad idea. I am all ears.

          I am having the hardest time finding constant current leds.

          another interesting tid bit. With the intel integrated graphics installed. If I put in my graphics card with no amd drivers installed for the graphics card. The experience is much better. this is AMD RX 570.

          My monitor has freesync on, low input lag on, and is at 144hz

          I guess this is the most comfortable I have felt in thinking that I had to maintain my own system. I could look at the screen and get lost in it. I mean I think what I am learning here is that its not Windows 10 for me. at least I don't think.

          I can only tolerate incandescent lighting, so that's all I use

          I have had the best luck with nVidia cards, I was only able to tolerate the Intel 5500 graphics after installing the correct ICC profile for the monitor I was using.

          I use Windows 7

          OMG guys, I'm ... do some back reading here.

          The AMD cards are TERRIBLE due to inability to disable FRC. Your best best are nVidia cards on Windows 7, specifically anything GeForce 970 or older.

          Your second best is Windows 7 and Intel integrated, but only SOME Intel integrated. The 6700 with Intel 530 Graphics is especially ok, as far as Intel integrated cards go. Others are nowhere near as nice.

          Your culprit here is likely FRC, or "temporal dithering". Also make sure you select the correct ICC color profile for your monitor.

          Happy to answer questions, but this is all covered here with a little reading. 🙂

          I use windows 10. Just received a new monitor. Its an Lg 6 bit with frc. Still using the amd card. This is my best monitor yet for eye strain. First panel ever from LG. The frc or eye strain happens mainly with deep blacks while scrolling fast. For example, with the Amazon page.

          I have had horrible luck with invidia but it may have been my lighting or the samsung panels used. But invidia installed on both win 10 and linux was not an improved experience over amd when i had those cards.

          Since frc is the ussue, if i can get a ten bit panel that does not use frc, that should in theory solve the problem correct? Regardless of card

            This monitor with Linux Mint is quite magical. I took the amd video card out and just booted to linux mint and it has helped. i just wonder what a monitor without FRC, and LG panel, and on Linux Mint.

            Here is the model number for the monitor: 32MA68HY-P

            I am trying to install intel grapics on Mint right now. Not sure if it is necessary but seeing if it will help.

            just learned a way to install amd graphics on linux mint and I must say this is phenomenal.

            It was literally a one word change. From ubuntu to linuxmint.

            Talk about a 6 month relief. there is still some strain but I think it is because the monitor uses FRC.

            The question for me is should I try to get a 10 bit native panel or a an 8 bit native panel with out FRC. I talked to a representative from Benq. He said the gpu I have support 10 bit direct x. I may shoot for a 4k just to see if it helps.

            • JTL likes this.

            I also may get an NVidia graphics card to see if it helps but so far its good to have options. I can do linux mint with intel or amd graphics and I am okay. i dont feel like I am taking a beating for working at my computer. I especially like the way that when I type the amd graphics give me no strain. So combing over text is the norm and I am happy about this.

            Wrightpt1 Still using the amd card.

            What card is that? (model number)

            I have had horrible luck with invidia

            Which ones didn't work? - Your profile mentions Nvidia 1050, is it this one?

            I am trying to install intel graphics on Mint right now.

            Curious how you would do this and what Intel integrated gpu does it have?
            You can find this info if you're using Linux Mint by running inxi -G

                Slacor

                What card is that? (model number)

                It is an RX 570

                I had both an Invidia 970 and 1050 and used the lastest drivers. Up to about two weeks ago before switching to AMD. On Ubuntu I could tell the difference in strain from one driver to the next. it was less with the latest but just to know it varies like that is scary.

                I have intel HD graphics 530. I did not install on Linux Mint because I learned about Linux Plasma which is a world of difference.

                Plasma is written in QT5. I am learning that apple writes its own drivers for graphics cards. that is a massive deal. I think I am going to try a mac mini and with quantum dot screen. IPS is great but the VA panel contrast just does me in for writing, reading text.
                I had not idea this would be an issue for me. But if I am able to use a mac. I mean look I am totally against the fanboyism, but if they allow my window to the world to be that much better then who am i to not fall in line i guess. I mean I fought using apple for so long but if I am able to use there product and it gives me an advantage in productivity or ability to work with less effort due to strain caused from other operating systems I am crazy not to.

                  I think amd's Vega architecture may be a big deal as long as they support Linux. I dont mean Open source linux drivers. I go to AMD's support site and I can download the driver and install it right there. With Plasma desktop experience and AMD direct support, and monitors Manufactuers' support for freesync. I mean its hard to see how anyone can beat that in terms of providing a better viewing experience with VR on the way. Entire companies working together to provide a solution to the end user similar to what Apple has done in the past. Apple making there own drivers, i read they started doing this in 2015, that is just so telling. Freesync causes AMD and Samsung to work together while plasma desktop environment is basically from what I am reading designed to be used on the mobile device.

                  I just hate going to Apple because I feel like not having control over my dedicated GPU is kind of scary to be honest. I just love that. Choose the GPU, with a dedicated driver. but with Apple its a wrapped package with not the latest drivers but ones that provide the best user expereince which may be best for me at this time.

                  I think Xubuntu is better than plasma Lubuntu. I am learning that it is more light weight. I am installing Elementary OS to see how that goes.

                  dev