OLED monitors have become ubiquitous, making it easy to forget they were a rarity just a few years ago. The Alienware AW3423WF arguably spearheaded this shift, but it’s showing its age. Enter the Alienware AW3425DW, its successor. Retaining the 34-inch ultrawide format and 3440×1440 resolution, the AW3425DW boasts a boosted 240Hz refresh rate. While not the flashiest OLED on the market, its design and price make it a compelling option.
Alienware AW3425DW: Specs and Features
The AW3425DW largely mirrors its predecessor’s specifications, with key upgrades in refresh rate and adaptive sync support.
- Display Size: 34.2-inch, 21:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution: 3440×1440
- Panel Type: Samsung QD-OLED, 10-bit
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Adaptive Sync: VESA Adaptive Sync, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- HDR: HDR10
- Ports: 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB 5Gbps Type-B, 1x USB 5Gbps Type-A, 1x USB-C 5Gbps (15W charging)
- Additional Features: AlienFX
- Audio: None
- Warranty: 3-year
- Price: $799.99 MSRP
The omission of a USB-C video input with Power Delivery is a notable drawback. However, the broad adaptive sync compatibility ensures smooth performance with various graphics cards. The $799.99 MSRP positions it competitively against older QD-OLED ultrawides, offering a higher refresh rate for a modest premium.
Design and Aesthetics
The AW3425DW departs from its predecessor’s retro-futuristic aesthetic, adopting a more organic, curved design in a dark blue finish. The RGB lighting is minimized, confined to the Alienware logo and power button.
alienware aw3425dw 3
While the design might not be striking, it’s unobtrusive. The subtle curve is often imperceptible during regular use. The compact stand minimizes desk footprint and offers height, tilt, swivel, and slant adjustments. A 100x100mm VESA mount is also available.
Connectivity and Ports
The AW3425DW offers two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4, supporting the monitor’s full refresh rate and resolution. However, the absence of a USB-C port with DisplayPort and Power Delivery is a significant disadvantage compared to competitors. This also means no integrated KVM switch.
Downstream USB connectivity is limited to one USB-A and one USB-C port (15W charging, 5Gbps data). A USB-B upstream connection is required for PC connectivity. A 3.5mm audio-out jack is also missing. This minimalist approach to connectivity contrasts with the trend towards feature-rich USB-C hubs in competing monitors.
On-Screen Display and Features
The AW3425DW utilizes a responsive joystick for on-screen display navigation, supplemented by Alienware’s Command Center software. The software provides convenient access to brightness, contrast, and input settings.
The monitor offers a decent range of image quality options, including a Creator mode with sRGB and DCI-P3 presets and gamma calibration. However, color saturation, temperature, gain, and offset adjustments are relegated to separate game and custom color modes.
Gaming features include a dark stabilizer, on-screen crosshair, timer, FPS monitor, and customizable Alienvision presets. Built-in speakers are absent, requiring external audio solutions. Overall, the feature set is functional but lacks the extras found in some similarly priced competitors.
alienware aw3425dw 1
SDR Image Quality
The AW3425DW’s Samsung QD-OLED panel delivers impressive SDR performance. With a maximum sustained brightness of 258 nits, it’s adequate for most environments but may struggle in brightly lit rooms. The glossy finish can exacerbate glare.
alienware aw3425dw brightness
As expected from OLED, the contrast ratio is effectively infinite, resulting in deep blacks and immersive visuals. The color gamut covers 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3, and 95% Adobe RGB, providing vibrant colors for gaming and accurate color representation for content creation.
alienware aw3425dw contrast
alienware aw3425dw color gamut
Color accuracy is a highlight, with an average color error significantly lower than competitors. The gamma curve of 2.2 is ideal for most PC applications. However, the color temperature leans slightly warm at 6100K. Sharpness is adequate at 110 pixels per inch, though higher-resolution alternatives exist.
alienware aw3425dw color accuracy
HDR Performance
The AW3425DW’s HDR performance is a strong point. With VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification and a peak brightness of 978 nits (10% window), it delivers a significant improvement over older QD-OLED models. HDR content is vibrant and detailed, though the lack of brightness adjustment is a drawback.
alienware aw3425dw hdr brightness
Motion Handling and Gaming
With a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the AW3425DW provides excellent motion clarity. Fast-paced games look smooth and crisp, with minimal ghosting or blur. Support for VESA Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible ensures tear-free gaming across different hardware configurations.
Conclusion
The Alienware AW3425DW prioritizes image quality and affordability over a comprehensive feature set. Its SDR and HDR performance are excellent for the price, making it a strong contender for gamers and content creators. However, the lack of USB-C video input, built-in speakers, and other features might push some towards more feature-rich, albeit pricier, alternatives. If budget is a primary concern and image quality is paramount, the AW3425DW is a compelling choice.
