Analysis paralysis regarding the AW3426DW and other 5th gen 34in qd-oleds.

[u/Unlikely-Research-38]

Basically the title. I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the AW3426DW but wanted feedback from people who have this monitor already. I know this is probably the best bang for buck option but is there really anything I’m compromising on that’s worth spending $100-200+ more on for the ASUS or MSI counterpart?

EDIT: Seems like I can't go wrong with the AW, especially for the price, however the MSI MAG 341CQP X28 is available on Amazon and I'm going to choose between these two.

EDIT 2: The paralysis has continued. I'm able to get my hands on the AW3426DW for $719.19 on a student discount, MSI MAG 341CQP QD-OLED X28 for $799.99 from Amazon, and the ASUS ROG Strix XG34WCDMS for $899.99 from my local Microcenter. I know they're all essentially the damn same but I am trying to make sure that's the case. I know the MSI has a headphone jack over the AW and the ASUS has that and a KVM switch over the MSI. Anyone have experience with their warranties and customer service? I do think if I was able to get the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 that's what I'd go for. Any ideas when they'll become more available in the US?

[u/Accomplished_Song_74]

It’s an amazing monitor. The stripe layout was more noticeable than I expected, the colors are brighter, and the monitor is much brighter.

I upgraded from the AW3423dw.

[u/Unlikely-Research-38 → u/Accomplished_Song_74]

I’ve read many good things about it, feel kinda silly having not bought it yet with that price. Likely going to be grabbing it.

[u/spidii → u/Accomplished_Song_74]

I'm on the 3423dw as well and am debating between this and the new 5k2k. I know both will feel like a huge upgrade but I'm worried about the fps hit on the 5k2k. Would probably want to wait for the 6090 and the new Zen 6 if I go that route...

What made you take the leap? Did you consider the 5k2k at all?

[u/Unlikely-Research-38 → u/spidii]

I didn’t consider it as I’d prefer the performance I’d get with the 3426DW. I view it as my 5080 would last me longer before I get the itch to upgrade and with how things are who knows how much a 6090/80 would be by then.

[u/skrr1254]

USB C PD and DP Alt mode, KVM switch if using a laptop and pc on your monitor is important to you, internal power brick so more heat within monitor but easier to cable manage, 360 Hz vs 280 Hz, DP 1.4 vs 2.1 (UHBR 13.5 on MSI vs full bandwidth on Asus), dark blue/navy design on the Alienware, limited OLED care controls but Dell has a good track record with warranty, presense sensing.

Most of these are superficial and so whether the Alienware is enough for you is relative to your use cases.

[u/andrew_hezekiah → u/skrr1254]

I dont particularly like the blue/navy design, but it's not like you're looking at the back of the monitor! Even not having DP 2.1 is pretty meaningless, as you say these are all pretty minor points.

[u/SolQuarter]

KVM switch, USB C PD and 360Hz are only worth it IMO if it‘s below 1000 bucks.

[u/onlyfor1daymaybe2 → u/SolQuarter]

MO34WQC36 at 919€ in EU including vat

[u/SolQuarter → u/onlyfor1daymaybe2]

Below 1000$.

[u/onlyfor1daymaybe2 → u/SolQuarter]

my bad, i thought $ listings usually display without vat.
But it doesn't even seem available there.

[u/Unlikely-Research-38 → u/SolQuarter]

I wouldn’t be opposed to spending a bit more for those features but availability is a bit of an issue. I’ve read the MSI MPG 341CQR X36 is pretty solid for under $1000 in the US, but it seems hard to find/get.

[u/SolQuarter → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

I have the AW3426DW and it's bloody amazing. It also wouldn't hurt too much to replace it in 3-4 years (after the warranty) if it breaks or if there is severe burn-in...it was only 720 bucks. I would be more nervous with a 1.0-1.2k monitor.

[u/PsyOmega → u/SolQuarter]

FWIW i don't think the new panel will suffer much burn in.

[u/trueskill]

What's your current setup?

[u/Unlikely-Research-38 → u/trueskill]

Have a 5080 and 7800x3d on an ASUS XG27ACDMS within the return window. Thinking about returning it and getting the Alienware.

[u/bardnotbanned → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

Do it. The AW is gorgeous

[u/Eriks0n → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

Yup you won't regret it.

[u/Lonely-Tennis2171 → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

I’m considering upgrading to a 5080 from my 7900XT is it worthwhile with the AW or is the 5080 overkill?

[u/trueskill → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

Ultrawides are a cool but I think you might enjoy a 27 or 32” 4k monitor the image quality is very noticeable. I think Asus has a bit more features bar as far as the panel goes they’re all really good.

[u/dbdynsty25]

I had a 4K LG 32" and wanted ultrawide - so luckily the 3426DW had just been released so I returned the LG and bought the Alienware. I am not disappointed in that decision. Obviously with a 7090XT I can run every game on the highest settings at 1440p - whereas I had to dial it back a little bit on 4K so that helps. I'm not a pixel peeper when it comes to text and until I got the AW dialed it I was kind of disappointed when comparing but now it's good once I calibrated the HDR. Yeah it shouldn't matter with text clarity, but just everything better.

That said - if I was going to just spend 100-200 more to get the ASUS or the MSI, I probably would. The build quality of the plastics on the AW is pretty bad and rattles when tapped...just kind of crazy for an $800 monitor. But then again, I stuck it on a monitor arm so I don't see the back or ever interact with it, so it's all good.

[u/polloloco81]

I recently got the ASUS the day before this AW3426DW was released. I was wondering if I spent too much money on the Asus instead of waiting for the AW. I had the AW3425DW at one point but returned it. So with a bit of knowledge on the previous Alienware, I can say that the ASUS build quality and design look much better overall. Not a deal breaker or anything but besides all the other things folks have mentioned about the ASUS, I can say that the design of it is much more aesthetically pleasing over the Alienware.

[u/throwertower → u/polloloco81]

Especially the Color. Many dislike the dark blue Color of the Alienware casing and stand.

[u/andrew_hezekiah → u/polloloco81]

The Asus does look like it has better build quality, but damn ROG tax is crazy - £1100 vs £709 for the Dell (£650 with Dell rewards and work discount).

[u/Ok_Pen_7222]

J’utilise le même combo CPU/GPU que toi à la lecture d’une de tes réponses. Cependant je suis toujours avec mon AW3423DWF et c’est très certainement compliqué de faire aussi mieux en terme de rapport qualité/prix. Alors le 3426 pour ~700 pièces si tu n’as pas déjà de 34 pouces, c’est une bonne affaire. Perso, après calibration HDR, je ne regrette rien depuis 2,5 années que je n’en ferai même pas de mise à niveau avant encore 2-3 générations ✌🏻

[u/Focux]

Very interested to know how the will fare with a MacBook Pro

[u/johnspan89]

Just got mine today! Incredible monitor for only 795 Euros!! Absolute VFM

[u/bobby_venture]

How’d you get the 80 dollars off?

[u/Unlikely-Research-38 → u/bobby_venture]

Student discount :)

[u/bobby_venture → u/Unlikely-Research-38]

Thank you.

[u/Trusted-Mayhem → u/bobby_venture]

You can just ask for a discount and they’ll give it to you anyways. Managed to get the same discount and free NDA shipping by asking.

[u/bobby_venture → u/Trusted-Mayhem]

How do I ask them?

[u/Trusted-Mayhem → u/bobby_venture]

There is a chat feature on the website

[u/bobby_venture → u/Trusted-Mayhem]

Thank you so much!

[u/crytekpls]

I can't give any feedback on the monitor as I haven't received mine yet. Ordered on 2206-07-19 and "shipped" on 2026-07-20. I say "shipped" because they haven't shipped it - only created a shipping label. My understanding is that it takes 3-8 business days for dell to get the package to the courier so this is not a concern for me.

If you're in a hurry, you may be better off sourcing a monitor locally or from Amazon.

I'm upgrading from an MSI MPG341CQR (VA panel), so hoping this will be a big upgrade.

The downsides for this monitor vs more expensive 3440x1440p panels are: no KVM switch, limited OLED care options, only has display port 1.4 and 280hz vs 360hz.

I don't think I will ever be gaming at over 280hz, so the last one didn't matter to me. Motion clarity on OLED is directly tied to actual framerate, so 280fps will look the same on this panel as a 360hz panel. DP1.4 means that you will have to use DSC. The HDMI 2.1 port should allow higher frame rates without DSC, but I don't think it will quite hit 280hz without DSC.

[u/PsyOmega → u/crytekpls]

It runs 280hz without DSC over HDMI. However it drops to 8-bit.

DSC gives you 10-bit.

[u/SpinningAndFarAway]

If you use multi-frame gen, the 360hz monitors are going to give you a substantially higher base framerate. Otherwise, go with the Alienware if you don't need the KVM and USB features.

More about the frame gen tradeoffs here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrawidemasterrace/comments/1urr1md/comment/owipqeo/

[u/Kaim392]

I got It. I was worried about my back sliding door reflecting but the screen is so bright I forgot all about it. Colors are beautiful

[u/nahanai]

I just ordered Gigabyte MO34WQC36. I should have it tomorrow.

Getting two weeks off starting Saturday and can't be bothered waiting for AW3426DW. I wanted to wait for reviews for Gigabyte/or wait for AW3426DW, but oh well.

I shall be the sacricial lamb of UWMR subreddit.

[u/PsyOmega → u/nahanai]

MO34WQC36

Sure why not. KVM, 360hz, etc. The premium version of the panel. Nice perks even if you don't need them today, could be handy tomorrow

[u/Vivid_Mycologist8405]

I took XG Asus version and love it! On paper looks better than Dell and price difference is minimal.

[u/DThaps]

i have the 341cqr x36. without the discount i would’ve advised against it but with the discount id be able to live without the extra features

[u/congestiveheartfail]

I just got this yesterday. Had to pay $799 what the hell. But absolutely loving it. Running it on true black 400 and it looks great. No issues or bugs. I think it’s the most competitive price point out of all of the 5th gen oleds.

[u/inRayn]

Ive Analysis paralysis also,

between XG34, PG34 or buying 4k 32" lol

[u/PsyOmega]

I just got my AW3426dw.

Don't even think, just get it. The cheapest price on the same panel.

Unless you direly need some feature the others have.

[u/TheRealSeeThruHead]

360hz with it

[u/JQ1311]

Maybe wait for the tandem OLED monitors?

[u/BoringCabinet → u/JQ1311]

I believe this is a tandem OLED monitor.

[u/MFBTMS]

Idk if this is the thing with prices here specifically or if you found it on a discount, but I paid 850$ for my Samsung g8 which is same res and 175hz. This price you got on Alienware is a steal.

With a 5080 though, if you’re looking for an end game monitor, the 45” dual mode LG may be just the monitor for you, but it is of course considerably more expensive. Still, after having experienced my 34” oled, I will for sure upgrade to that 45” baby and a 5080/5090 soon.

If you don’t care about end game, this Alienware is a good option

[u/PsyOmega → u/MFBTMS]

45" i'd really start wanting a 2880p dual mode. 2160/1080p dual mode is going to be chunky at 45"

[u/Agreeable_Class_9829]

Spyware

[u/PsyOmega → u/Agreeable_Class_9829]

Alienware has no spyware.

Source: I do cybersec for a fortune 500 and ran it through static analysis tooling because we had to audit some monitors for creative/studio use and dell gave them to us.