A racing game makes a good case for the AW3425DW. Its width buys a better view into the next corner, while the 240 Hz ceiling gives a fast PC somewhere to put its extra frames. A console or a laptop that needs charging makes less use of this particular screen.
In depth
Alienware AW3425DW review
Published
Best forPC players who want a wide field of view and can control reflections at their desk.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 34.2 inches
- Panel technology
- QD-OLED
- Native resolution
- 3440 × 1440
- Refresh rate
- 240 Hz
Pros
- Wide 21:9 canvas with individually lit pixels.
- Both HDMI ports accept the full native resolution at 240 Hz.
Cons
- Glossy surface calls for care around windows.
- A 16:9 source leaves part of the panel unused at its original proportions.
Display
- 3440 × 1440
- QD-OLED
- 1800R curve
The picture is as tall in pixels as a conventional 1440p monitor, with 880 extra columns for the road ahead or a second window. Games have to support that wider view. Stretching an ordinary widescreen feed makes people look broader, so using black side borders is often the better choice.
Picture Quality
- Glossy finish
- DisplayHDR True Black 400
At night the panel can turn off individual pixels around stars and instrument lights. In daylight the room becomes part of the picture. PCWorld measured 258 nits of sustained SDR brightness and saw visible glare from the glossy surface. A blind behind the desk is more useful here than turning up HDR. 1
Gaming & Connectivity
- 240 Hz
- HDMI 2.1
- DisplayPort 1.4
At native resolution the GPU draws roughly a third more pixels per frame than at 2560 × 1440. Check the frame rate in the games you return to most. Dell supports the top native timing over HDMI as well as DisplayPort, so a second high-speed source can stay connected.
Alternatives
The earlier AW3423DWF already offers the same basic ultrawide OLED experience. If its speed meets your needs, the newer model’s higher ceiling provides little reason to change your desk. For a console-first setup, a 16:9 screen spends the entire panel on the picture.
Verdict
Choose the AW3425DW for an ultrawide PC game you know supports 21:9. Its combination of width, motion and dark-scene contrast is strongest when the GPU and the room can support all three.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- PCWorldAlienware AW3425DW review: This OLED is aggressive on price, image quality (opens in a new tab)https://www.pcworld.com/article/2777440/alienware-aw3425dw-review.html
258-nit sustained SDR measurement and reflections on the tested AW3425DW.