In the market for gaming monitors today, the 34-inch 21:9 ratio, the moderate 1800R curve, and the native resolution of 3,440 by 1,440 are all quite standard. The 175Hz refresh rate is similar. It’s no slouch, this new OLED panel, but there are LCD screens with significantly greater refresh rates available for far less cost. Oh, yes, the murky subject of money. The AW3423DW costs $1,299 in the US (the price hasn’t been released in the UK yet). Depending on how you look at it, that’s either an absurd amount of money for a gaming display or surprisingly affordable for something cutting edge. After all, this is the first genuine OLED-based gaming PC panel.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Design
With one notable exception, Alienware hasn’t updated, modified, or enhanced the AW3423DWF’s design over its predecessor: Unlike the previous model, which was only available in white, this one is only available in black. Because it lacks the two-tone pattern of the white edition, which uses both white and black panels to contrast components of the design, the black colorway appears less expensive than the white one. The new monitor appears to be equally as well-built and durable as the previous one, which is good news. There is simply a variation in appearance. With sturdy plastic panels and a substantial stand, this beast is substantial for its size. It’s one of the most durable and stylish monitors on the market right now. The stand pivots a few degrees in either direction and has height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. Additionally, it is substantial enough to prevent movement in the event of a desk bump and to hold the monitor firmly in place. You can buy this gaming monitor from its official website.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Features
34-inch ultrawide gaming displays are becoming commonplace, but that doesn’t make the AW3423DWF any less of an amazing example of how to do it correctly. With its subtle curve and modern Dark Side of the Moon finish, it looks fantastic from the outside, but when you turn it on and see its stunning QD-OLED panel in action, it really does feel like a glimpse into the future. This is the direction that gaming monitors are going, and I support it. On paper, it appears to meet all requirements. It has a sharp 2K resolution of 3440 x 1440 and a quick maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. Response time is virtually immediate (0.1ms gray-to-gray), far outpacing even the greatest TN, VA, and IPS panels now on the market. Even though it isn’t in 4K, the 2K resolution looks wonderful and is simpler to attain if your graphics card isn’t the most recent and potent one.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Connectivity
There are numerous connecting options with the AW3423DWF. There are four USB-A ports (two downstream, two upstream), an HDMI 2.1 port, two DisplayPorts, two USB-A ports (upstream and downstream), a headphone jack, and a line-out port. An OSD (on-screen display) joystick is located beneath the monitor and is used to navigate the menu and change display preferences. Ports resemble the previous model’s in most ways except for two key variations. Instead of one DisplayPort, you now have two. Players of the PS5 or Xbox Series X can enjoy games like Destiny 2 at 120Hz thanks to the HDMI 2.1 connector. Even though there aren’t many games that can run on recent consoles at 120 frames per second, it’s still useful to have an HDMI 2.1 connector for the few titles that do.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Refresh Rate
The AW3423DWF’s gaming performance was also of interest: it supports both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, has a maximum refresh rate of 165 Hz, and boasts a response time of 0.1 ms. In our tests, it performed as well as a comparable panel at 165 Hz, but in actual use, it seemed to have better nooks and crannies than an LCD panel running at the same pace; it has the same display quality as a panel at 240 Hz, which means more frames per second. Of course, the 21:9 aspect ratio and curvature also improve the gaming experience. A good compromise between immersion, which is prevalent, and image distortion, which is nonexistent, is achieved at an 1800R radius. The AW3423DWF works just as well for work as it does for play. The AlienVision function, which spotlights the center of the screen for sniping, will be appreciated by some gamers.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: RGB Lighting
The curved 3,440 x 1,440 Quantum Dot OLED display is nevertheless remarkable, sporting a 165Hz refresh rate and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The amazing way that everything appears on this monitor continues to astound me. As previously, there are six preset visual modes on this panel that are tailored to various game genres. The AW3423DWF covered 127% of the larger DCI-P3 color gamut in Standard mode and 180% of the narrower sRGB color gamut (the closer to 100% the better). Its Delta-E value was 0.24. (closer to 0 is better). Although the 183% and 129% of the prior model are slightly less than these numbers, the Delta-E result is the same.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Performance
It didn’t take long at all; the Alienware AW3423DW only recently hit shop shelves, but we already have its replacement in our possession, and – spoiler alert – for the majority of gamers, it’s a considerably superior purchase. The Alienware AW3423DWF, which differs from its predecessor by adding a F to the model name, provides the same breathtaking picture and superb gaming performance as the original but does without G-Sync Ultimate for a $200 discount. Although it’s still pricey at $1,099, this QD-OLED ultrawide is among the greatest gaming monitors available and is sure to please.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Price
Two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one on either side of a headphone jack, are located below the joystick for the OSD and provide USB communication. The rear I/O panel conceals two additional USB ports, a Type-B upstream port for connecting to your computer, an audio line-out port, and other ports. It’s disappointing that HDMI 2.1 isn’t available for this price. Consoles will only be able to operate at 100Hz at 4K but 120Hz at 1440p. Additionally, a USB Type-C port for power and video would have been welcome. Although the $1,099 price tag is less than the $1,299 original, we’re still dealing with high-end monitor territory, and these omissions are obvious at this pricing.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Final Words
Some of the problems I faced with the first model are resolved with the Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED. Both the cheaper pricing and the availability of HDMI 2.1 support are excellent. The enhancements genuinely make the product stronger, even if they only constitute a tiny overall upgrade. Having said that, it’s challenging to suggest this monitor to people who had purchased the original model. Although HDMI 2.1 functionality is wonderful, it is not worth updating, especially if you play PC games most of the time. Few console games even support 120Hz, as I already mentioned. You won’t be missing anything if you have an AW3423DW, though. But now that the AW3423DWF costs $1,099, it’s simpler to suggest it to novices. If that cost is still too much for you, two good alternatives are the $999 Gigabyte Aorus FI32U and the $799 Gigabyte M32UC gaming monitor.
