Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED gaming monitor specifications
Screen Size: 34 in
the decision: 3440 x 1440
Refresh rate: 165 Hz (DisplayPort), 120 Hz (HDMI)
input: 1 HDMI, 2 DisplayPort, 4 USB-A, audio line out, headphone
Dimensions: 16.36 / 20.69 x 32.10 x 12.04 inches (with stand)
The new Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED Gaming Monitor ($1,099) is an updated version of the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED released earlier in 2022. This original monitor was one of our favorite products to review due to how well it affects gaming. Aside from its high price and lack of HDMI 2.1 support, I didn’t have much to complain about.
This new model is almost identical to the one released in April—only it’s cheaper, lighter, and supports HDMI 2.1. These tweaks make the already great screen even better. It’s not worth upgrading if you already own the previous version, but if you’re looking for one of the best gaming and best curved monitors out there, you need the new Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED in your life.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Price and release date
- At $1099
- $200 cheaper than the previous model
The Alienware AW3423DWF Gaming Monitor is currently available for $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,898 Dell website (Opens in a new tab). This updated model is $200 cheaper than the AW3423DW, which is also still available on the manufacturer’s website.
Given that this model is cheaper, lighter, and supports 120Hz on consoles, choosing it over its predecessor is a no-brainer.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: The design
- 1800R curved screen
- All black body
The Alienware AW3423DWF is a gaming monitor through and through. It has a stylish 1800R curved screen that wraps nicely around your field of view. With the exception of the “34” and the distinctive Alienware logo on the back, the chassis is all black. This gives the screen a more serious look than the previous model. The Legend 2 AlienFX lighting on the back adds some flair, even if you don’t see said lights when using the screen.
At 16.36/20.69 (compressed/extended) x 32.10 x 12.04 inches and weighing 21 pounds with the stand, the AW3423DWF is definitely on the big and heavy side. The V-shaped legs of the stand take up a lot of space on the desk. With that said, this screen is lighter and thinner than the previous model (without the stand). Even if it’s lighter, mounting the new Alienware display to your wall via the VESA mounts on the back will be even easier.
As before, you can raise or lower the screen by 4.3 inches along the stand pole. You can also tilt it backwards by -5 degrees or forwards up to 21 degrees. The screen also rotates 20 degrees left and right. The screen tilts and swivels smoothly and it’s easy to get your preferred viewing angle.
The AW3423DWF has plenty of connectivity options. This includes an HDMI 2.1 port, a pair of DisplayPort ports, four USB-A ports (two upstream, two upstream), a headphone jack, and an output port. Below the screen, you will find the OSD (On Screen Display) joystick used to enter the menu to configure display settings.
The ports are very similar to the previous model with two notable differences. You can now have two DisplayPorts instead of one. Thanks to the HDMI 2.1 port, PS5 or Xbox Series X gamers can experience games like Destiny 2 at 120Hz. Granted, titles that can be played at 120Hz on modern consoles aren’t exactly plentiful, but it’s nice to have an HDMI 2.1 port for the few games that feature the option.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: The display
- OLED screen with a size of 3440 x 1440 pixels
- Various picture modes optimized for gaming
The curved 3440 x 1440 Quantum Dot OLED display, with a 165Hz refresh rate and 21:9 aspect ratio, is just as impressive now as it was on the previous model. I am still in awe of how amazing everything looks on this screen.
As before, this monitor features six preset picture modes that are optimized for different game genres.
In standard mode, the AW3423DWF covered 180% of the sRGB color gamut and 127% of the wider DCI-P3 color gamut (the closer to 100% the better), with a Delta-E value of 0.24 (closer to 0 the better). These values are slightly lower than the previous model’s 183% and 129%, respectively, although the Delta-E score remains the same.
In contrast, the Predator XB323QK’s default picture mode achieved 138% of the sRGB color gamut and 97.7% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, with a Delta-E value of 0.29. The Gigabyte Aorus FI32U’s default picture mode covered 127.9% of the sRGB color gamut and 90.6% of the wider DCI-P3 color gamut. The Gigabyte M32U achieves 124.6% of sRGB and 88.3% of DCI-P3.
There are different brightness levels depending on the picture mode and whether or not HDR is enabled. In standard mode, the Alienware AW3423DWF averaged 236 nits of brightness. The HDR 400 averaged 366 nits brightness at 40% while the HDR 1000 averaged 359 nits at the same percentage. The other patterns had averages slightly above or below standard but remained within the 360 range.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: Performance
- 165Hz smooth refresh rate
- 0.1ms fast response time
Clear, vibrant visuals are important, but you need games to run as smooth and responsive as possible. Fortunately, the AW3423DWF’s performance is just as impressive as its bold design.
The screen’s 165Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate and 0.1ms response time are what enable such great performance. However, you may not get the best results if your computer is not capable of running games at high frame rates. I connected the AW3423DWF to a decently powerful Dell XPS 8950 and the refresh rate and frame rates were always in sync.
Cyberpunk 2077 looked and ran brilliantly. The curve of the screen made me feel as though I was actually wandering the gloomy, neon-lit streets of Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City. The ray-traced reflections from the glass-encased skyscrapers were a sight to behold. The screen captured every detail, even when racing at dangerous speeds through steep highways.
Doom Eternal is a fast-paced first-person shooter designed specifically for a monitor like the AW3423DWF. There is a lot going on on screen and the screen never fails to show all the beautiful gory details. Since the curve of the screen allowed me to see more of the environment, I easily survived encounters that would have been more difficult on a standard screen.
Watching YouTube videos or other streaming content can be hit or miss due to the 21:9 aspect ratio of the screen. If you’re watching something shot in 16:9, you’ll see empty space (black bars) on the sides. But if you’re watching content shot in 21:9, you’ll have the same immersive experience as if you were playing games that run in the same aspect ratio. Be aware that neither the PS5 nor the Xbox Series X have games that display in a 21:9 aspect ratio, which means you’ll always see empty space on either side of the screen.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: The interface
- Intuitive menu system
- Customizable settings
The AW3423DWF features a clean interface that’s relatively painless to navigate. Features a black and gray background with blue and white lettering. The OSD joystick used to sort menus is fairly responsive. The menus in question include the six game modes, along with options to adjust brightness/contrast, configure AlienFX Lighting and more.
There are many presets if you don’t want to spend time playing around with options. However, if you want to adjust the settings exactly to your liking, you can do that as well. Various hotkeys for preset modes such as brightness/contrast, input source, dark fixer, and volume are appreciated.
Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED review: The verdict
The Alienware AW3423DWF QD-OLED addresses some of the issues I had with the original model. The low price is solid, as is the HDMI 2.1 support. Even if it’s just a general minor upgrade, the improvements objectively make it a stronger product.
With that said, it’s hard to recommend this screen to those who’ve already purchased the original version. HDMI 2.1 support is nice, but it’s not worth the upgrade—especially if you primarily play PC games. And like I said, few console games support even 120Hz. If you own the AW3423DW, you won’t miss much.
But given the $1,099 cost of the AW3423DWF, it’s now an easier device to recommend to newcomers. However, if that price is still too high, the $799 Gigabyte M32U Gaming Monitor or the $999 Gigabyte Aorus FI32U make solid alternatives. The $899 Sony Inzone M9 is another solid option if you want to save a few hundred bucks.
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