Alienware AW3426DW gaming monitor review: Premium gaming and OLED goodness in a value-priced package

Alienware delivers value from a 34-inch ultra-wide OLED with the AW3426DW.

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Alienware AW3426DW
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(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

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The AW3426DW offers higher brightness than its predecessor for both SDR and HDR content. It’s rated for 1,300 nits from a 3% window and certified by VESA for DisplayHDR 500. HDR10 signals get seven specific modes, and it supports Dolby Vision.

HDR Brightness and Contrast

For my tests, I measured HDR10 performance and noted a 70-nit higher peak for the AW3426DW over the AW3425DW. This is from a 25% window pattern. A 3% window is claimed at 1,300 nits, and this result leaves no reason for doubt. The AW3426DW is definitely brighter than before, and its HDR is more impactful. Variable brightness is in play here and cannot be turned off, not that you’d want to. This is excellent performance.

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Grayscale, EOTF and Color

I measured the Desktop and HDR Peak 1300 Bright modes and got similar color and grayscale results. There are no visible errors in the first chart, and EOTF tracking is solid. The trace starts a tad dark, but I could still see all the steps in a test pattern. Shadow detail is clear and visible in all cases. The tone map transition is at 65%, which is correct for the measured white and black thresholds.

In the color gamut test, the AW3426DW uses all available coverage with extra saturation for P3 and almost 80% coverage of BT.2020. All points are slightly oversaturated, which is typical of the HDR monitors I’ve tested. They all push the envelope for extra impact, and it is effective. In the BT.2020 chart, the AW3426DW runs out of color at 90% red, 75% green, and 95% blue.

Test Takeaway: The AW3426DW presents a stunning HDR image with deep blacks and very bright highlights. It is a clear improvement over the AW3425DW. If you enjoy a lot of HDR content, it’s a worthwhile upgrade. Color and grayscale are very accurate in both Desktop and Peak 1300 modes.

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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.

14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Roland Of Gilead
    That's a beaut! I've only just upgraded my monitor to 21:9 3440x1440p, IPS and I love it. I play mainly BF6 and F1 2026, and the wider screen makes games like that shine.

    I will upgrade to something like this in a couple of years. I'm drooling.
    Reply
  • SkyBill40
    I have the 3423DWF and I love it. This would be a nice addition as my main while relegating the older one to a secondary display role, but my wife would notice and string me up by my entrails if I brought this home.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    It seems like Dell has delivered another solid monitor especially when considering the price. I am very interested in what comes next in this space as I really love the 21:9 34" format and development here has generally been a lot slower than 16:9.

    While $800 is still a lot of money it amazes me that Dell is undercutting everyone else with this display. The closest priced to it is Asus' similarly spec'd version which is at least $100 more while most other monitors using this panel are >$1000.

    The upgrade over the AW3425DW is certainly tangible, but it's not one I'll be making. I'd be a little more tempted if I used a single monitor setup because of the pixel layout. Instead when looking at this I just see the hassle of selling my existing monitor or eating the cost of the new one.
    Reply
  • SkyBill40
    thestryker said:
    It seems like Dell has delivered another solid monitor especially when considering the price. I am very interested in what comes next in this space as I really love the 21:9 34" format and development here has generally been a lot slower than 16:9.

    While $800 is still a lot of money it amazes me that Dell is undercutting everyone else with this display. The closest priced to it is Asus' similarly spec'd version which is at least $100 more while most other monitors using this panel are >$1000.

    The upgrade over the AW3425DW is certainly tangible, but it's not one I'll be making. I'd be a little more tempted if I used a single monitor setup because of the pixel layout. Instead when looking at this I just see the hassle of selling my existing monitor or eating the cost of the new one.
    I'm in the same boat. I could probably flip my display to one of my coworkers, but I'm not sure what I could get back for it to lessen the cost of a newer replacement.
    Reply
  • mr.phil
    I'm not a gamer, but as a photographer I'm interested. How does this stand up for photography work? Any opinons?
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    SkyBill40 said:
    This would be a nice addition as my main while relegating the older one to a secondary display role
    Same. I've 2 27in 1440p no curved. Am gonna have both at either end of the 34in vertical orientation :) I'm thinking a nice matrix screensaver would look cool on that setup.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    thestryker said:
    I am very interested in what comes next in this space as I really love the 21:9 34" format and development here has generally been a lot slower than 16:9.
    Yeah, I've been wondering why this size/aspect ratio isn't more prevalent. It's almost niche. There are lots of VA panels, but my own is IPS, and is hard as hens teeth to find. Hopefully there will more entries in this space.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    Roland Of Gilead said:
    Yeah, I've been wondering why this size/aspect ratio isn't more prevent. It's almost niche. There are lots of VA panels, but my own is IPS, and is hard as hens teeth to find. Hopefully there will more entries in this space.
    Definitely! When I got my first one with a VA panel the choice was basically compromised monitor or over $1000. By the time I wanted to replace it to get something with proper HDR OLEDs were the only reasonable choice. There were no IPS displays that weren't really old (aside from an AOC which wasn't curved) and there was only one VA panel and no mainstream brands ever picked it up. Even going OLED only the QD-OLED panel was viable for me due to WOLED being 800R curve.

    Currengly it seems like the market is entirely cheaper VA/IPS and two tiers of OLED: input/refresh compromised or expensive.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    mr.phil said:
    I'm not a gamer, but as a photographer I'm interested. How does this stand up for photography work? Any opinons?
    Well, this is just my opinion, and just a being a gamer, but I think OLED tech would be great in terms of the near infinite contrast, real dark blacks, colours that pop, and nice brightness that would be close to what would be expected for professional photography.
    But, I understand some calibration is required for best results.
    Reply
  • Roland Of Gilead
    thestryker said:
    WOLED being 800R curve.
    That's a serious curve. I've only ever seen 1000R min. 800R would be like wearing the monitor wrapped around your face! 😀
    Reply