Alienware 34 AW3425DW gaming monitor assessment
Up entrance disclosure: I am a sucker for 34-inch ultrawide displays, I reckon they’re nonetheless the sweetspot for sensible-money gaming. With that in thoughts, you’d assume Alienware‘s newly up to date 34-inch ultrawide OLED monitor, the Alienware 34 AW3425DW, is odds on for a really excessive rating.
In spite of everything, we liked the OG Alienware 34-inch ultrawide, the Alienware 34 AW3423DW. Its decrease priced sibling, the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF, was even higher due to a shiny panel coating. The brand new AW3425DW takes issues up a notch with an improve to 240 Hz from the 175 Hz and 165 Hz of its predecessors whereas sustaining basically the identical $800 value because the outdated “F” mannequin (it is really out there for $770 on Dell’s web site as I faucet out these phrases). What’s to not like?
Because it seems, this new Alienware is slightly tougher to like than its progenitors. Partly, that is as a result of it is really a bit too acquainted, primarily based as it’s on the identical first-gen Samsung QD-OLED tech because the older AW3423DW that launched over three years in the past.
Alienware 34 AW3425DW specs
So, it has basically the identical efficiency traits, save for the elevated refresh charge. It even has the identical 1800R panel curvature and, fortunately, the identical shiny panel coating because the outdated “F” mannequin. By many measures, that is all good. The 0.03ms pixel response hardly wanted bettering, ditto the per-pixel lighting management of all OLED displays. It is so significantly better than any LCD monitor in that regard, even one with essentially the most superior native dimming {hardware}.
Equally, nonetheless, there is not any enchancment to full-screen or peak HDR brightness. The latter is arguably lots punchy sufficient at 1,000 nits. However the full-screen brightness of 250 nits is extra satisfactory than glorious, particularly within the data of latest OLED panel tech from each Samsung and LG that guarantees to bump that as much as the 350 to 400 nit vary within the close to future.
The carry-over panel tech additionally signifies that the assorted points stay. For starters, it has the identical sub-optimal subpixel construction which implies fonts undergo from slightly fringing and lack of readability. Then there’s the same old QD-OLED situation with ambient gentle.
As with all different QD-OLED panels from Samsung, and significantly with regard to fashions with shiny panel coatings like this one, there is a tendency to look a bit purplish and gray in robust ambient gentle. If you happen to’re solely ever going to make use of this factor in a room with restricted ambient gentle, it is not an issue. But when your desk is close to a big window, as an example, the consequence might be compromised black ranges and distinction.
The “QD” little bit of the QD-OLED tech, particularly the quantum dots, most likely additionally contribute to the acquainted overly heat color temperature of all these panels. After we first skilled QD-OLED gaming displays, such minor flaws have been simple to miss in return for unimaginable response and HDR efficiency. However three years later, expectations are inevitably greater.
The broader function set is comparable, too. You get DisplayPort and HDMI inputs, as an example, however no USB-C. There’s is USB-C on the decrease bezel, together with USB-A. However that is a part of the USB hub for peripherals. It is not a show enter, so there is not any single-cable possibility for laptops.
So, what precisely has modified, aside from the refresh charge bump? Most evident is the bodily design. Alienware has utilized the identical AW30 aesthetic because the Alienware 27 AW2725Q I reviewed again in March.
Carried out to have a good time 30 years of Alienware {hardware}, it is stated to be impressed by extra-terrestrial phenomena and the Aurora Borealis. and ditches the black and white plastics used for earlier Alienware displays in favour of a darkish blue hue often called “Interstellar Indigo”.
The curved, natural shapes are a departure for Alienware and provides it a barely dated ’90s vibe.
Once I reviewed the 27-inch 16:9 facet AW2725Q, I stated, “the curved, natural shapes of the rear of the chassis and likewise the stand and base are undoubtedly a departure for Alienware and provides it a barely dated ’90s vibe.” That applies simply as a lot to this ultrawide mannequin. It is a subjective name, clearly, however I favor the outdated look.
When it comes to the precise viewing expertise, for essentially the most half you’d wrestle to tell apart it from the Alienware 34 AW3423DWF (the unique AW3423DW is slightly totally different due to its matte display screen coating). For certain, the smoothness is barely improved by the 240 Hz refresh (supplied you will have a good GPU that may push out frames quick sufficient). However the overly heat color temperature is straight away obvious, too.
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After all, so is the overall vibrancy. It is a fairly punchy monitor, regardless of the comparatively modest full-screen brightness functionality. QD-OLED colors actually zing. Alienware has carried out a ABL or computerized brightness limiter in SDR mode which implies the brightness stays fixed and would not, as an example, dip once you open a big, white software window.
SDR content material is definitely slightly brighter in HDR mode, however some brightness variability is seen, albeit solely simply. Happily, it is not terribly distracting. When it comes to HDR in video games, the peaks are fairly stellar.
For instance you are enjoying an indoor recreation scene. Highlights like gentle sources or explosions actually pop in opposition to the darkish background, particularly in HDR 1000 mode. No LCD monitor comes shut. The catch is that the HDR 1000 mode is noticeably dimmer for brighter out of doors recreation scenes in comparison with the DisplayHDR 400 mode, which provides extra out of doors pop whereas barely capping that peak HDR sizzle. Lengthy story quick, there is not any single excellent HDR mode, which is slightly irritating.
Extra usually, I am rather less satisfied by this general kind issue when utilized to OLED gaming that I as soon as was. Most of all, the modest 3,440 by 1,440 decision on a 34-inch panel signifies that the pixel density is not nice, particularly not now that 4K OLEDs might be had in 27-inch and 32-inch kind components.
The affect of that goes past simply textual content rendering. The in-game visuals lack element and sharpness in comparison with the 4K different. What’s extra, upscaling applied sciences like Nvidia’s DLSS do not work as properly when mapping to a comparatively low decision like this.
Upscaling in high quality mode on a 4K or 3,840 by 2,160 decision panel usually means a base decision of two,560 by 1,440, which is corresponding to this monitor’s native res. For this Alienware, the bottom decision will likely be properly under that, even in high quality mode and it reveals. After all, the decrease decision makes it a lot simpler to run native on this panel and get body charges corresponding to high quality upscaling on a 4K monitor, however you are not getting comparable picture element.
I felt the affect of the mere 1440p-class decision much more with this new Alienware 34 AW3425DW than its predecessors.
Anyway, the general upshot is that I felt the affect of the mere 1440p-class decision much more with this new Alienware 34 AW3425DW than its predecessors. I favor the 34-inch ultrawide kind issue supplied right here, however I additionally need the superior pixel density of the 4K alternate options.
To place it one other manner, the place I used to assume the modest pixel density was problematic on the desktop however nice for gaming, I am now starting to really feel it in video games, too, due to the unflattering comparability with the gorgeous element supplied by 4K OLEDs. Now I’ve had that crispy 4K OLED expertise, I can not unsee it. So, yep, I’ve gone from being very professional 34-inch ultrawides to barely much less satisfied.
Purchase if…
✅ You need ultrawide HDR thrills: As soon as you have skilled HDR on an OLED monitor, you completely will not need to return to any LCD panel.
Do not buy if…
❌ You need the most recent OLED tech: This monitor makes use of first-gen QD-OLED panel know-how. It is nonetheless good, but it surely’s slightly off the tempo.
As I perceive it, LG and Samsung have 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide OLED panels within the works, which could have the identical pixel density as a 27-inch 4K monitor. Within the meantime, all 34-inch ultrawide OLED gaming displays have the identical 3,440 by 1,440 decision because the OG Alienware supplied again in 2022.
Nonetheless, in case you are usually bought on the prospect of a 34-inch 1440p OLED monitor this Alienware is lots interesting. It could be first-gen QD-OLED tech, but it surely’s nonetheless spectacular. I simply assume it is a barely laborious promote when you will get a 32-inch 240 Hz 4K mannequin for comparable cash, and even cheaper in the event you forgo just a few Hz.
All of which implies, if the entire 1440p versus 4K factor would not resonate with you, truthful sufficient, this is the underside line: It is a minor replace to a very good OLED monitor. You get greater refresh for basically the identical value. The catch is that the market has moved on in the previous few years and which means the Alienware 34 AW3425DW is respectable worth, but it surely’s not a stellar deal proper now.