Tom's Hardware Verdict
It’s hard to imagine anyone complaining about any aspect of the Alienware AW3225QF. It delivers a supremely colorful image with incredible contrast, accuracy and fidelity. Its gaming performance is as good as it gets. Once you see it, you’ll want it.
Pros
- +
Stunning image with broad contrast and rich color
- +
Greater color volume than most other OLEDs
- +
Perfect motion resolution and low input lag
- +
Solid build quality and attractive styling
Cons
- -
No flaws of consequence
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Though many factors besides resolution contribute to a premium gaming experience, users still gravitate towards pixel count as a decider when shopping for a monitor. There is no shortage of 4K monitors available and a big reason for that is the advent of inexpensive consoles that play 4K with HDR at 120 Hz. But the real fun happens north of 200 fps. Motion resolution is the key to smooth play and quick response when it comes to the best 4K gaming monitors.
With 8.3 million pixels to move around the screen, most 4K monitors live at 144 Hz, but a few 240 Hz models have come across my desk. Now that OLED panels have ascended to the mainstream, it’s only logical to want a 4K OLED that can run at 240 Hz. Alienware obliges with the AW3225QF. It’s a 32-inch QD-OLED panel with a 1700R curve, 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and a very wide color gamut. Let’s take a look.
Alienware AW3225QF Specs
| Panel Type / Backlight | Quantum Dot |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | Organic Light-Emitting Diode |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | (QD-OLED) |
| Screen Size / Aspect Ratio | 32 inches / 16:9 |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | Curve radius: 1700mm |
| Max Resolution and Refresh Rate | 3840x2160 @ 240 Hz |
| Row 6 - Cell 0 | FreeSync: 48-240 Hz |
| Row 7 - Cell 0 | G-Sync Compatible |
| Native Color Depth and Gamut | 10-bit / DCI-P3+ |
| Response Time (GTG) | 0.03ms |
| Brightness (mfr) | 250 nits SDR |
| Row 11 - Cell 0 | 1,000 nits HDR |
| Contrast | Unmeasurable |
| Speakers | None |
| Video Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 w/DSC |
| Row 15 - Cell 0 | 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone output |
| USB 3.2 | 1x up, 3x down |
| Row 18 - Cell 0 | 1x USB-C |
| Power Consumption | 54w, brightness @ 200 nits |
| Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base | 28.1 x 18.6-22.9 x 12 inches (714 x 472-582 x 305mm) |
| Panel Thickness | 4.2 inches (107mm) |
| Bezel Width | Top: 0.3 inch (7mm) |
| Row 23 - Cell 0 | Sides: 0.4 inch (10mm) |
| Row 24 - Cell 0 | Bottom: 0.7 inch (18mm) |
| Weight | 13.2 pounds (6kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
The AW3225QF is one of two new Alienware offerings that feature a fast-refresh Quantum Dot (QD) OLED panel. The 360 Hz QHD AW2725DF was recently covered here, and it proved to be a level-up display, earning a five-star Editor’s Choice rating thanks to its stellar image and incredible gaming performance.
The AW3225QF is a mere 240 Hz, but with 4K resolution, it has the goods to deliver an incredible image. It has unmeasurable black levels and sports the same broad contrast as any OLED monitor. Thanks to a premium Samsung panel part, it adds significant color gamut volume with a QD layer. According to my tests, this and its 27-inch stablemate cover around 110% of DCI-P3.
HDR10 is supported, and there’s a rarely seen feature here, Dolby Vision. This HDR standard has dynamic metadata which means content will alter its tone mapping to fit the display it’s viewed on. HDR10 has fixed metadata, so it’s left to the monitor to map the difference between the mastered level, usually 1,000 nits, and the actual max output level.
If you’re looking for maximum brightness, OLED won’t deliver the high output of a Mini LED monitor. The AW3225QF tops out at just over 250 nits for SDR and 450 for HDR. While this may sound weak compared to the 1,000-plus nits a Mini LED is capable of, it’s more than enough to deliver a bright and sharp image.
An equally big draw here is the 240 Hz refresh rate. 4K monitors are often seen topping out at 120 or 144 Hz, which is logical given the current state of consoles like the PlayStation 5. But PC gamers with powerful video cards can go much faster. The AW3225QF has Display Stream Compression for its DisplayPort 1.4 input and in my tests, I could sustain 240fps in 4K at Doom Eternal’s max detail setting. The difference in motion resolution between this and 120fps is visibly significant. The higher frame rate also affords lower input lag. The AW3225QF manages that feat as well.
As a premium display, the AW3225QF includes a full suite of gaming aids, aiming points, timers and a frame counter, along with LED lighting in the back with colorful effects behind an Alienware logo and a giant “32” denoting the screen size. There are plenty of USB ports, including USB-C and two HDMI 2.1 inputs. Build quality and styling are in keeping with Alienware’s high standards as well. And the price, while not low, isn’t as dear as you might think, $1,200 at this writing.
Assembly and Accessories
Like all Dell and Alienware displays released in the past few years, the AW3225QF comes in fully recyclable packaging made from molded pulp rather than crumbly polystyrene foam. The three pieces, panel, upright and base, are very well protected. They assemble without tools to create a solid package that exudes quality. Extras in the box included DisplayPort, HDMI, USB, and IEC power cables, along with a snap-on cover for the input pack.
Product 360
If you’ve ever looked at OLED and LCD monitors side by side, you can always tell the OLED by its deep black screen. The AW3225QF accentuates this with a glossy top layer. While optically pure, it won’t reject harsh reflections, so some care is required when setting up. Keep bright lights and sunny windows behind it, and you’ll be fine. The bezel is narrow all around, with flush mounting and a small Alienware logo at the bottom center. The power button glows at the lower right and can be programmed for different colors in the OSD.
In the back, large white surfaces announce styling by contrast with the panel, which sits proud of a component bulge. The black-and-white theme is something you’ll see in most Alienware products, including PCs. It’s a strong brand visual. The LEDs light up behind an Alienware head and a large “32.” They can be controlled in the OSD, and each logo can be a different color if you wish.
The stand is a solid affair with a plastic finish over a metal core. Ergonomics include 4.3 inches of height, 20 degrees swivel and 5/21 degrees tilt. The panel can sit just high enough for a vertical placement which is always my preference for curved monitors. The AW3225QF isn’t extremely curved, 1700R for 16:9 is relatively subtle. But there is enough wrap to enhance gaming realism just a little. And there is no image distortion when working in productivity apps like word processors or spreadsheets.
The input panel is up and under the left side of the AW3225QF and includes one DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2 (one upstream and three down) and a USB-C. The latter is there for peripherals like headphones, since there’s no 3.5mm jack, and BC 1.2 compliant charging.
OSD Features
Reach under the center of the AW3225QF and you’ll find the OSD joystick. Click or press it and you’ll see a quick menu that can take you straight to picture mode or brightness. Press it again to see the full OSD.
The Game menu starts with 12 picture modes, Standard is the default, that cover popular game types. Creator lets you select either DCI-P3 or sRGB color gamuts along with gamma. Custom Color has a two-point white balance control and hue/saturation sliders for all six colors. The AW3225QF is accurate in its Standard mode with no need for calibration. However, in Custom Color, I was able to achieve visible improvement. The sRGB Creator mode is also accurate enough for critical applications.
Game Enhance Mode is where you’ll find timers, a frame rate counter, and display alignment marks. If you can afford two or three AW3225QFs, they can easily line up precisely. If you’re looking for aiming points, they are in the AlienVision menu, which also has night vision and other enhancement windows in its option list.
The lighting on the AW3225QF’s backside and the power button can be configured for each logo. You can use different colors for each element or turn them off.
The HDR modes are in the Display menu, with six possible options. Desktop is the default, but I found a better image using DisplayHDR True Black. It conforms closely to industry standards for grayscale tracking, EOTF and color saturation in both DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 spaces. HDR Peak 1000 gives you more output in small highlight areas. But when I measured 25% window patterns, I saw the same 453 nits. More on that later.
In the PBP/PIP menu there are 13 different ways to display two video sources at once, either as windows in the corners of the screen or in a side-by-side layout. The OSD joystick can be programmed for quick access to different monitor functions. This is especially handy if you want to use the AlienVision enhancements. You can turn them on and off with just a couple of clicks.
Finally, in the Others menu, there are two panel maintenance features, Pixel Refresh and Panel Refresh. Pixel refresh is an orbiter that shifts the image while you’re working or playing. You won’t see it in operation. Panel Refresh runs a routine to equalize pixel usage while the AW3225QF is in standby. A panel health indicator in the status menu lets you know when it’s time to refresh.
Alienware AW3225QF Calibration Settings
In the AW3225QF’s Standard mode, you don’t need to calibrate, and all content will be shown using the full native gamut, which covers almost 110% of DCI-P3. Few users will complain about such a colorful image but if you’d rather use sRGB for SDR content, the Creator mode has selectable gamuts that are very accurate. To get the best possible image, I went to Custom Color and adjusted the RGB gain sliders for a visually perfect picture. My SDR settings are below.
In HDR mode, DisplayHDR True Black is the best choice. HDR Peak 1000 is a tiny bit brighter in specific highlight areas of the image, but it crushes black detail and has somewhat flat-looking mid-tones.
| Picture Mode | Custom Color |
| Brightness 200 nits | 88 |
| Brightness 120 nits | 51 |
| Brightness 100 nits | 40 |
| Brightness 80 nits | 296 |
| Brightness 50 nits | 13 (min. 27 nits) |
| Contrast | 75 |
| Color Temp User | Gain – Red 95, Green 97, Blue 99 |
| Row 8 - Cell 0 | Bias – Red 50, Green 50, Blue 50 |
Gaming and Hands-on
Right off the bat, I wondered what I could do with the AW3225QF’s Dolby Vision support. Only a handful of computer monitors can do it and unfortunately, only a handful of PC games have it. On the console side, you’ll need an Xbox One. For my tests, I plugged an Apple TV 4K to stream content from Netflix. Some of the best examples are shows like Formula 1, Drive to Survive and Locke and Key. Watching in Dolby Vision up close was nearly a cinematic experience. Without built-in speakers to provide the sound, I donned a pair of AirPods Max and enjoyed the Dolby Atmos spatial audio.
In fairness, I am a home theater buff, and usually, I watch movies in a dedicated room with a projector and surround sound. The idea of a personal theater is highly appealing and the AW3225QF is an ideal display for this. I sat three feet back and was nearly as immersed as I am in a cinema environment. The combination of OLED magic, Dolby Vision, a large slightly curved screen and premium audio provided something that was instantly addictive.
The AW3225QF offers three Dolby Vision modes, Bright, Dark and Game. Bright worked well in my well-lit office, while Dark was best, well, in the dark. Game was similar to Bright, but I noticed a bit of edge enhancement and crushed highlight detail. The monitor switched between SDR and Dolby Vision automatically and quickly. It also switched seamlessly to HDR10 mode for Amazon content like Making the Cut and The Grand Tour. With its dynamic tone mapping, Dolby Vision was the clear winner, but HDR10 looked pretty awesome too.
On to gaming, the AW3225QF excels there as well. It is one of the very best gaming monitors I have experienced to date. Not only is image quality unparalleled, but it also responds as if I were a Force-wielder. Low input lag and movement completely free of blur or hesitation, contributed to gameplay that I have not found in any LCD panel. My GeForce RTX 4090-based PC had no trouble keeping frame rates at or near 240 fps. At no time did I see it drop below 230. Coupled with the 139ppi pixel density, infinite contrast and vivid color, the virtual environment was as real as its creators could make it.
Back in the real world, I spent some time writing and editing graphics and found the AW3225QF perfectly suited for it. The curve is almost unnoticeable in productivity applications and there is no hint of image distortion. In terms of feel and perception, it is no different than a flat monitor. The broad contrast made everything look sharper, down to the smallest type or detail.
I noted that a firmware update was required, dated March 18, 2024. This adds an option to turn off Dolby Vision, which locks itself on once it is engaged. You can download it from Dell here.
Takeaway: I found no issues to complain about when working or playing on the AW3225QF. It served only to strengthen my position that OLED is the best video display technology that currently exists, and this monitor is a standout example. Gaming is more realistic, more responsive and more addictive. Productivity is made easier with the stunning image and its rich color. It’s hard to imagine how it could get much better.
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