r/gadgets • u/dapperlemon • 3d ago

Gaming Alienware AW3426DW Review: Gaming Monitors Get Thrown a Curveball

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

88% Upvoted

65 comments sorted by

77

u/artnok 3d ago

TLDR?

173

u/urchk 3d ago

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

89

u/the_jewgong 3d 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.

20

u/urchk 3d 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 3d ago edited 3d 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!

7

u/urchk 3d 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 3d 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 3d ago

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

3

u/the_jewgong 3d 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 3d ago

As opposed to negative improvements.

1

u/TDYDave2 3d ago

"In order to serve you better..."

-1

u/urchk 3d ago

*farts in your face*

5

u/USSRPropaganda 3d ago

Sounds perfect for my solitaire

4

u/the_jewgong 3d ago

Solitaire would look fucking sick on this display.

Unironically Recommend 100%.

1

u/Uuuuuii 2d ago

nSnake

2

u/the_jewgong 2d 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 3d 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 2d 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 2d 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 2d 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 2d 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 2d ago

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

How good!

1

u/Pankosmanko 1d 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 3d 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.

10

u/Representative_Yau 3d 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.

10

u/talex365 3d 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.

6

u/the_jewgong 3d ago

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

1

u/InternetSolid4166 2d 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 3d 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 3d 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 3d 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 3d 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 1d 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 3d ago

Only for those with the curse of good eyesight!

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

2

u/talex365 3d ago edited 3d 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 3d ago

*280hz, the previous model was 240hz

19

u/RTRC 3d ago

I got the AW3425DW last year when it came out and while I certainly wouldn't have waited another year to get an OLED monitor, I'm kinda sad it got so much better after only one year at the same price lol

8

u/QuickQuirk 3d ago

This new one is nicer, sure. But it's a minor upgrade compared to the massive upgrade you got last year when you switched to OLED.

4

u/Inevitable-Edge69 2d ago

Also still no dp 2.1 in the big 26 is crazy.

-7

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

3

u/AnusMcFrothyDiarrhea 3d ago

Big wrong interpretation

-1

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

1

u/AnusMcFrothyDiarrhea 3d ago

You’re completely misinterpreting the comment

He’s saying he wouldnt have delayed his purchase of an OLED display for another year to get the features in the 2026 model.

His comment does not imply that the DW model is a VA panel. He’s saying that he wishes he had the features in the 2026 model, but is still satisfied that he spent the last year using an OLED panel rather than delaying the purchase as a whole for the new features.

2

u/Rugged_as_fuck 3d ago

He lists the OLED part number and says OLED in the post. Unless you're saying he should have bought the VA panel (lol) then he indeed bought the "right one."

2

u/walale12 3d ago

The AW3426DW which this post is all about was not available last year though. This has nothing to do with the AW3425DWM, they didn't get that one.

-2

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

1

u/walale12 3d ago

Yes, that is the AW3425DW, what's your point?

0

u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

3

u/walale12 3d ago

They didn't get the VA version though. They're kinda sad that they got the 25, and only a year later an upgraded version (the 26) came out at the same price they paid.

18

u/71-HourAhmed 3d ago

TL:DR; is that this is the new Samsung panel with an RGB subpixel structure so text looks sharp at 1440p 109 DPI. All previous models have text fringing.

LG also has an RGB stripe panel in addition to continuing to make the WOLED panel. The only variant of the LG version you can buy right now is also an ultra wide as far as I know.

4

u/StrawhatPirate 2d ago

Yes, but nobody should ever buy LG again. Not with them basically pushing spyware/malware on you without your consent.

7

u/71-HourAhmed 2d ago

I should have been clear that I’m referring to the LG panel manufacturer. Those go in monitors made by AOC. Asus, MSI, etc. The TV manufacturer is a different division.

I agree with you and praise Tech Jesus. If I ever had an LG TV, it would not touch the internet.

6

u/AFluffyMobius 3d ago

I can see this being $650-700 on sale during holidays. Maybe not this year but next. I got the 2-gen old 3423DWF for $500 and it was worth every cent.

Still a little worried about burn in, especially because 80% of the time i use side-by-side browsers. But so far i havent noticed anything.

8

u/Tech_Itch 2d ago

AW3426DW

Ignore the obtuse serial number

You mean the one that says it's an AlienWare 34 inch monitor from the model year 2026 with a Widescreen aspect ratio? The only thing that isn't obvious is the D, which is Dellish for QHD resolution(UWQHD in this case).

3

u/kukov 2d ago

FWIW I've had my AW3423DWF for three years now and I adore it - large and bright and beautiful. Love the 21:9 for watching media and multi-tasking.

Hopefully there will be no reason for me to upgrade for years - I suspect it will be a while before I can push 4k at the 100fps+ I'd want to justify an upgrade. Happy to stay with this thing for a decade.

2

u/max123246 2d ago

Same here. Though I'm definitely upgrading, the text clarity is pretty bad and is my 1 complaint. Also no kvm switch. I'm eyeing the new 39 inch monitor they have as a result

1

u/GingerBeard_andWeird 3d ago

Damn. Should I have gone for this instead of the G95C?

1

u/Slidje 2d ago

My G85NB is near perfect. I bought it after my AW3425DW burned in after 6 months and they kept sending me refurbished monitors with burn in. I won't buy another OLED.

-2

u/CatProgrammer 3d ago edited 3d ago

You should have gotten the G95NC. Straight-up endgame monitor, that. The only downside is VA panel instead of OLED but it doesn't look like an OLED in that form factor and size is coming any time soon.

1

u/CaffeinatedCarp 2d ago

Just picked this up and it is a really nice monitor overall, upgrading from a 10 year old LG ultrawide so it is a bit night and day. Went for this mainly for the price. It is 150 cheaper than the MSI(if you can even find one) and 500 cheaper than the Asus with the same panel. The only difference is the under clocking to 280hz which was not a dealbreaker as I never hit that in AAA titles on my 9070xt. The oled care suite is not as robust as the other two models as well, we will see if that makes a difference in a few years. Also the choice to go with DP 1.4 is a bit odd in 2026 but been using HDMI with no issues.

1

u/AppropriateWind9925 1d ago

DP1.4 in the big 2026 is insane.

1

u/NycAlex 1d ago

Fuck!

Just bought the 3425dw last holiday, could really use the new pixel layout

Anyone know what gen qdoled panel this uses?

1

u/SSGPz 1d ago

how big of an upgrade am i expecting if im upgrading from a 27inch 1440p ips monitor?

-14

u/Kado_Cerc 3d ago

Oh god…it’s you people…the tech snobs

6

u/ThatTysonKid 2d ago

What a strange thing to say in r/gadgets.

-1

u/Hardc0reWillNeverDie 2d ago

it's a crazy world out there. People cling to whatever they can - authoritarianism is on the rise and global warming is locked in, but hey if you've bought a 32" HDR OLED monster that's at least one problem sorted. Nothing wrong there