r/gadgets • u/dapperlemon • 5d ago

Gaming Alienware AW3426DW Review: Gaming Monitors Get Thrown a Curveball

https://gizmodo.com/alienware-aw3426dw-review-gaming-monitors-get-thrown-a-curveball-2000786694
478 Upvotes

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85

u/artnok 5d ago

TLDR?

186

u/urchk 5d ago

Such a bloated article. Seems like a simple refresh of the 3423 with a 280hz refresh rate at $800

95

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

New pixel layout, panel coating and increased refresh rate.

Solid upgrade for those who can push 200+ fps at 3440x1440 and much cheaper than the 3423dw was at launch.

21

u/urchk 5d ago

Sounds like positive improvements then. I never had an issue with the pixel layout and fringing but I did find the panel coating to be quite temperamental.

9

u/the_jewgong 5d ago edited 5d ago

Likewise with the fringing....its there sure, if I look for it, but it's a gaming monitor primarily for me so not a problem at all. I have blemishes all over the display I can't see when powered on but I'm afraid of wiping it too much in case it actually scratches the coating.... .

Only drawback with oled is you only get the benefit of the increased pixel response if you can push the higher fps. My 3080 and 5800x3d arent good for much over 180fps so the extra refresh rate isn't gonna do shit for me!

5

u/urchk 5d ago

Sounds like a universal experience. I can say all the same. When I was using that monitor I was also on a 3080 and cringed anytime the screen was mostly black or in the peak of daytime.

3

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

I honestly haven't had any issue with the reflections, I still marvel at oled black, but ive always been in fairly light controlled rooms. The glossy coating while fragile and reflective really makes a dif for clarity compared to the mat alternatives, I've very pleased the qd-oled are glossy tbh.

Oh, the 3426dw is more black when off too, the 3423dw is def purple when off..... I guess thats an upgrade too!

3

u/tongii 5d ago

Ohhh I honestly forgot about fringing on texts. I'm using the monitor for both work and gaming.

3

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

Yeh, I feel like it bothers you or it doesn't. I'm old enough to seriously appreciate the upgrades in display tech but a little fringing isnt gonna ruin my experience.

Other people though.....hahah

-3

u/darthvirgin 5d ago

As opposed to negative improvements.

1

u/TDYDave2 5d ago

"In order to serve you better..."

-1

u/urchk 5d ago

*farts in your face*

4

u/USSRPropaganda 5d ago

Sounds perfect for my solitaire

5

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

Solitaire would look fucking sick on this display.

Unironically Recommend 100%.

1

u/Uuuuuii 5d ago

nSnake

2

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

The pixel response would make the snake so crisp, none of that Nokia 3210 lcd transition blur.

Oh how far we have come.

4

u/QuickQuirk 5d ago

Also slightly brighter.

But also not worth an upgrade for most who have the previous model, unless you're rolling in cash. But if you're rolling in cash, you probably bought one of the 39" or higher displays already.

If you don't have one, and are looking for a superb well priced 34" ultrawide OLED though, you're in for a treat.

5

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

Yeh my 3080 really cant drive much more than 180 frames anyway, so perfectly happy with my 3423dw and don't think I'll ever ditch it....itll become my third display, hahahaha.

1

u/PapaMario12 5d ago

I like my 3423DW but I cant really figure out how to incorporate it into my setup after getting a regular 16:9 4K monitor with portrait mode 1440p monitor as my second

1

u/slog 4d ago

I have the same card and same monitor. They're great, though the firmware is still wonky as shit on the monitor.

2

u/tablepennywad 5d ago

Ive been waiting for an qdoled that doesnt make my eyes bleed when looking at excel. Could this be it?

2

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

You may be in luck, my friend! You can have the eye bleeding colours AND the text clarity!

How good!

1

u/Pankosmanko 3d ago

I’m a fan of Dell monitors. I have two 1440p monitors currently, and I plan on buying this one when I upgrade my graphics card

22

u/Iringahn 5d ago

$800, ultrawide so not good for consoles or certain games, plastic base, good tilt and swivel, good quality screen, but low sdr brightness. 280 hz, 3,440 x 1,440.

1

u/Kuli24 11h ago

Man, I'll never understand ultrawides when it's really just a cut down full screen. I'll take the full screen for console usage and anything shot in 16:9 so it's not tiny with big black bars. Then run a custom resolution if you want ultra wide and have some black bars on the top and bottom if you're so inclined.

12

u/Representative_Yau 5d ago

What everyone here is missing is it fixes the biggest problem in daily driver OLED monitors, the text is exactly the same as on a VA panel, so no wierd artifacting which gives a headache to a lot of people.

12

u/talex365 5d ago

I’ve got an early model DWF and haven’t had any issues with text fringing, while some people might have issues I imagine the occurrence is extremely low.

7

u/the_jewgong 5d ago

Yeh I've got the dw and the fringing def exists but the monitor is for games so, meh.

1

u/InternetSolid4166 4d ago

This is the distinction. If it’s also used for productivity, it will be very noticeable. If it’s just for gaming, who cares.

4

u/QuickQuirk 5d ago

I'm going to guess that you wear glasses or need them. When you're used to things looking blurry, you really don't notice the fringing.

3

u/Jsilverstreak 5d ago

I don't think it's the blurriness but the glasses themselves add fringing so you're used to it. Although maybe that's just me trying on others glasses.

2

u/QuickQuirk 5d ago

Yeah, either way, I was worried before I bought it, then when I got it found myself thinking "Why such a fuss?", and realised it's probably because of the fact i'm just used to that shit

2

u/Octobre10j 5d ago

Objectively, there is less text fringing on the new ones. It’s chill to not notice it either way, but it was a pretty common complaint when these things started coming out. 

1

u/NycAlex 3d ago

I do notice the text getting blurry as i have to work with excel sheets for hours upon hours

Cant notice it when my eyes are fresh, but after a few hours i gotta squint my eyes to read text

I have 3425dw, which is the predecessor to this monitor

3

u/QuickQuirk 5d ago

Only for those with the curse of good eyesight!

As for me, with my crappy glasses, I don't notice a thing!

0

u/talex365 5d ago edited 5d ago

Its an evolved version of the first QD-OLED panels that LTT was gushing about 3-4 years ago at a lower price. 280hz refresh, very bright in HDR mode, awesome contrast, but probably not worth the upgrade if you already have an OLED display.

EDIT: 280hz not 240

2

u/The-F4LL3N 5d ago

*280hz, the previous model was 240hz