Alienware AW3423DW Gaming Monitor Review: QD-OLED Impresses

Curved with 175 Hz, G-Sync, HDR, extended color and infinite contrast.

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Alienware AW3423DW
Editor's Choice
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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To compare the AW3423DW’s performance, I found one OLED in my database, Aorus’ FO48U. Also here are a selection of speedy ultra-wides: Acer’s X38, BenQ’s EX3410R, MSI’s MPG343CQR and Alienware’s AW3821U. Refresh rates range from 120 to 175 Hz.

Pixel Response and Input Lag

Click here to read up on our pixel response and input lag testing procedures.

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Alienware AW3423DW
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The AW3423DW has a major advantage over any LCD in that its panel response is faster at a given refresh rate. An LCD will have to refresh at 240 Hz to match the 5 ms I recorded for the OLED. This also speaks to the QD-OLED tech, which is obviously quicker than the traditional OLED panel used by the FO48U. This quick response can be seen both in test patterns and actual content. Movement is completely smooth without any ghosting or lag. Motion resolution remains high even during the fastest side-to-side camera pans and transitions.

In the total lag test, the AW3423DW proved to be on par with the 120 Hz Aorus. The top two screens will provide a slightly quicker control response which will be an issue for the most skilled players but not so much for the rest of us. I had no problems during my gameplay tests, where all inputs were instantly translated to the screen. The key takeaway here is that the AW3423DW has lower total lag than a 120 Hz TV which will be of particular interest to console users.

Viewing Angles

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

No LCD can boast the off-axis image quality of an OLED panel. You can see in the photos that there is almost no change at 45 degrees horizontally or vertically. Color shifts slightly to red and light output is perhaps 5% reduced. But there is no change in detail levels or gamma. This is as good as it gets.

Screen Uniformity

To learn how we measure screen uniformity, click here.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The AW3423DW has near-perfect screen uniformity with only tiny and invisible variations from zone to zone. When I measure OLEDs in this test, I must use a 10% brightness pattern since the 0% field is unmeasurable. It’s interesting to note that Alienware’s AW3821DW is very impressive in this test. It’s the most uniform panel I’ve ever measured. You will not see anything resembling bleed or glow here.

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.

28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Historical Fidelity
    Why only 250 nits in SDR mode? Is there a way to get the ~450 nits of the full window HDR mode but restricting the monitor to 256 brightness steps? Playing game at 250 nit peak brightness is too dull even in dark environments
    Reply
  • warezme
    Having and OLED for my home theater I was impressed with the overall ratings of this monitor for my office/game computer. I have already ordered one from Dell. I'm excited about the color accuracy and speed.
    Reply
  • Steweh
    I want one!
    Reply
  • Hellbound
    It would have been nice if you mentioned the non-standard triangle RGB subpixel layout (green on top, red and blue on bottom)..
    Because OS's and rendering tools are not built around this layout, you will get text and window border fringing.
    Reply
  • SkyBill40
    This looks to be an outstanding display and I, like others, would love to have one. The price is much lower than initially expected and while that's great, it's also caused an issue with regard to availability. Checking the Dell site before posting this, the delivery is currently June 15th and that's with it being expedited (and at additional cost). That pretty much sucks for someone looking to spend money and get it soon, but I guess this is the way it goes for wanting to be on the bleeding edge... along with everyone else.

    Looks like I'll have to "suffer" on with my HP OMEN 27 for the time being. It's TN and not as pretty, but it was priced nice when I got it and does the job with full G-Sync.
    Reply
  • hotaru.hino
    SkyBill40 said:
    Checking the Dell site before posting this, the delivery is currently June 15th and that's with it being expedited (and at additional cost). That pretty much sucks for someone looking to spend money and get it soon, but I guess this is the way it goes for wanting to be on the bleeding edge... along with everyone else.
    This at least springs hope that if you order now, you'll get one eventually. Or Dell doesn't want to an indefinite "sold out" button.

    Either way, they won't charge you until the order actually ships, so there's that.
    Reply
  • SkyBill40
    hotaru.hino said:
    This at least springs hope that if you order now, you'll get one eventually. Or Dell doesn't want to an indefinite "sold out" button.

    Either way, they won't charge you until the order actually ships, so there's that.

    I suppose... but life has priorities and this one is at the back of the line at this point. :confused_old:
    Reply
  • catraveler
    Admin said:
    Alienware brings OLED to the desktop with its AW3423DW 34-inch Curved Ultra-Wide gaming monitor. It features 175 Hz, G-Sync Ultimate, HDR, extended color and infinite contrast. And it takes imaging to a completely different level.

    Alienware AW3423DW Gaming Monitor Review: QD-OLED Impresses : Read more
    This sounds supper ! I have an LG C1 OLED, it is the best I have ever seen. What controller is required for the AW3423DW ?
    Reply
  • A Stoner
    Man, would love to see this in 40 inches!
    Reply
  • jacob249358
    gotta make sure I get the extended warranty and financing. Wait are you interested in the extended warranty and financing? ltt enjoyers :)
    Reply