Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED review: Near-perfect color and premium performance

34-inch WQHD curved ultra-wide 21:9 QD-OLED gaming monitor with 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10, and wide gamut color

Reviews
By published
Alienware
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

To compare the AW3425DW’s performance, I’ve rounded up a speedy group of 34-inch 21:9 OLEDs. At 175 Hz is AOC’s AG346UCD. At 240 Hz are Corsair’s 34WQHD240-C, Acer’s X34, Gigabyte’s MO34WQC2, and Asus’ PG34WCDM.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Image 1 of 2
Alienware AW3425DW
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

If you’re going for an OLED, it should be 240 Hz. Though the 175 Hz AOC isn’t that far behind the others in performance, it’s only $50 less than the AW3425DW, so you might as well get the fastest monitor in the field, which is, coincidentally, the Alienware. It refreshes in 4ms like the other 240 Hz screens, but manages 2ms less input lag with an 18ms total score. It’s faster than many 27-inch 16:9 monitors, and it is the fastest 34-inch ultra-wide in my test database. Motion processing is visually perfect with no blur observed in moving test patterns. Objects maintain full resolution no matter how fast they go by. Background graphics also stay sharp during rapid camera pans.

Test Takeaway: Nearly any OLED will deliver perfect motion resolution and low input lag, but the AW3425DW is the quickest 34-inch 21:9 screen I’ve tested to date. It delivers a premium feel with no compromises.

Viewing Angles

Alienware AW3425DW

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Some Quantum Dot OLEDs show a subtle tint at 45 degrees to the sides, but the AW3425DW remains consistent in color, brightness and gamma. You can easily share the screen without sacrifice. The top view has reduced gamma, but its color and brightness are barely affected.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

Alienware AW3425DW

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The AW3425DW includes screen uniformity in its factory calibration data, and my sample aced the test with one of the lowest scores I’ve ever recorded. 1.78% is about as good as it gets with no visible issues in any field pattern, color or gray. This is excellent performance.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test PC Monitors

MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor

Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

17 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Morgan xXx
    Admin said:
    Alienware delivers on all counts with its AW3425DW. It’s a 34-inch curved ultra-wide QD-OLED panel with WQHD resolution, 240 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, HDR10 and wide gamut color. It couples near-perfect color accuracy with premium gaming performance.

    Alienware AW3425DW WQHD QD-OLED review: Near-perfect color and premium performance : Read more

    Are there any issues with Auto Dimming? I'm still with an LG C2 OLED (may go to C4) because it is thus far, the only OLED that allows you to turn off Auto Dimming, or ASBL, using the service menu in SDR. When gaming in HDR ASBL is on, but PC work is in SDR and it's great to have it off.

    I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.
    Reply
  • Elrabin
    Morgan xXx said:
    Are there any issues with Auto Dimming? I'm still with an LG C2 OLED (may go to C4) because it is thus far, the only OLED that allows you to turn off Auto Dimming, or ASBL, using the service menu in SDR. When gaming in HDR ASBL is on, but PC work is in SDR and it's great to have it off.

    I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.
    I have its predecessor, the AW3423DWF and if you set it to the TrueBlack400 setting, there is no auto dimming enabled.

    I'd be really surprised if this one isn't set up similarly.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    Morgan xXx said:
    Are there any issues with Auto Dimming?
    I have it and haven't used it outside of TrueBlack, but can confirm I've noticed no such thing there. I've only noticed panel refresh when the display turns off (either via PC or manually) and this process can be interrupted if you're resuming usage.
    Morgan xXx said:
    I'd like to go with an OLED monitor for Display Port and usually a KVM, but inability to turn off ASBL is a deal breaker for me.
    Keep in mind using DP with 240Hz refresh requires DSC which has its own set of downsides which may or may not be important for your use case.
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?

    Can this be used 8 hours a day for work also?
    Reply
  • Elrabin
    Makaveli said:
    Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?

    Can this be used 8 hours a day for work also?
    I've had the Alienware 3423DWF(this monitor's predecessor) for over 2 years so far and it's on 8 hours a day for work and at least a couple hours a night for gaming/watching streaming.

    I do the pixel refresh every 4 or so hours of use when it reminds me to do so. I just finish what i'm doing when i get the popup, lock my PC and go take a walk or change out laundry or some other 5 minute chore and by the time I get back, it's done

    Text looks no different than my high end IPS monitors
    Reply
  • thestryker
    Makaveli said:
    Great for gaming no doubt but how is this monitor for rendering text?
    I think it depends on what you're doing and how sensitive you are. The subpixel layout is the same as the Gen 1 QD-OLED panels despite being a Gen 2 panel. My secondary display is slightly better text wise, but not to the degree that I'm bothered by the AW display.
    Reply
  • JMarvelous
    I have the 32in 4k version and it was expensive as heck but the most beautiful picture ive ever laid eyes on. Gaming is amazing.

    I've never had any issues with it. I run the refresher (6 mins long) every 4 to 5 hours if Im on for long periods. I mainly do design so color was important to me.

    Text looks absolutely amazing, no fringing. The 1440p monitor may have text issues idk.
    Reply
  • Mr Majestyk
    Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
    also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.
    Reply
  • Makaveli
    Mr Majestyk said:
    Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con. If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
    also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.
    Valid points.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    Mr Majestyk said:
    Hard to fathom how the low pixel density isn't con.
    It might be more of a con if there was anything viable in the same format with better pixel density (assuming 120Hz or higher refresh).

    LG is going to have some "5k2k" 34" UW displays coming, but those are 800R. You have to move up to 40/45" to increase pixel density without high curve in UW format (former is IPS, latter is OLED but the adjustable one is $2500, non is 800R).
    Mr Majestyk said:
    If this review is prioritising colour accuracy, it's surely implying it's
    also productivity focused monitor, not just a one trick gaming monitor. Colour gamut and accuracy mean almost nothing to gamers.
    This is their standard review format so I'm not exactly sure what your problem is. Should the reviewer ignore the color gamut and accuracy because it's a gaming focused display?
    Reply