When it comes to top-tier gaming monitors, the Dell AW3225QF stands tall among the competition. Boasting cutting-edge features tailored for gaming aficionados, such as HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and a lightning-fast 240Hz refresh rate, this monitor sets a new standard in immersive gameplay. Yet, its appeal extends beyond gaming, thanks to its exceptional picture quality, making it equally adept at delivering cinematic experiences.
While reminiscent of its predecessor, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, the AW3225QF sets itself apart with its larger screen and higher resolution, offering versatility for various multimedia endeavors. This positions it as a formidable contender not only within the realm of gaming monitors but also against QD-OLED TVs, particularly for those seeking a compact yet high-performance display.
Setting it apart from the AW3423DWF, the AW3225QF excels in gaming prowess with its superior refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, catering to both PC and console gamers seeking the pinnacle of performance. Moreover, its higher 4K resolution ensures unparalleled image detail and text clarity, though the AW3423DWF’s ultrawide format holds an edge in certain gaming scenarios. Additionally, the AW3225QF incorporates extra features like an eARC port and Dolby Vision support, further enhancing its appeal.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the AW3225QF exudes durability and sophistication. Its robust build quality, characterized by solid plastic materials and a stable stand, ensures a seamless user experience devoid of any distracting wobbling or flexing. While the joystick control may emit a slight noise during operation, it’s a minor quibble amidst an otherwise impeccable design.
Sporting a sleek, gamer-centric aesthetic, the slightly curved screen and white plastic accents pay homage to Alienware’s iconic design language. The V-shaped stand not only adds to its visual appeal but also provides steadfast support, while its slim profile adds to the overall elegance.
In terms of display performance, the absence of a backlight eliminates the need for local dimming, yet the monitor’s near-infinite contrast ratio ensures vivid, lifelike visuals devoid of any blooming effects. This renders it akin to having a perfect local dimming feature, surpassing expectations with its unrivaled picture quality.
The Dell AW3225QF showcases commendable HDR peak brightness, particularly accentuating small highlights to deliver a striking visual experience with vibrant HDR content. However, its performance diminishes as highlights expand across larger areas, with a noticeable decline in brightness. The Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) generally adheres well to the target for darker and mid-tone scenes but exhibits a gradual roll-off at peak brightness, limiting the full potential of highlights.
These observations are based on the ‘HDR Peak 1000’ Smart HDR mode, with Brightness set to 75 and Console Mode disabled. Enabling Console Mode results in a sharper roll-off of the EOTF curve, altering the HDR presentation accordingly.
Comparatively, the ‘HDR Peak 1000’ mode outshines the ‘Custom Color HDR,’ with the latter achieving a Real Scene brightness of 356 cd/m², and highlights peaking at 450 cd/m². However, ‘Custom Color HDR’ exhibits a sharper EOTF roll-off, implying minimal tone mapping before the source takes over control, affecting the overall HDR rendition.
Although the monitor boasts Dolby Vision support, users may encounter certain glitches. Dolby Vision activates automatically, even within Windows HDR, leading to washed-out highlights and colors, notably evident in the ‘HDR Peak 1000’ Smart HDR mode. While switching to ‘DisplayHDR True Black’ mitigates this issue, users are unable to toggle between Smart HDR modes once Dolby Vision is engaged. Furthermore, transitioning between game mode and desktop mode or exiting games triggers significant flickering and intermittent source connection loss, detracting from the user experience.
Moreover, HDMI compatibility with Dolby Vision presents additional challenges. Initial firmware (M2B101) rendered Dolby Vision inoperable over HDMI, requiring an update to firmware M2B102, released on February 6, 2024, to address this issue partially. Despite the update, Dolby Vision remains unsupported for Blu-ray playback. Similar to DisplayPort, HDMI activation of Dolby Vision within Windows HDR prevents deactivation without disabling HDR entirely. Additionally, powering off the display induces source disconnection and flickering, necessitating manual unplugging and re-plugging to rectify the issue.
The Dell AW3225QF sets a high bar for text clarity, boasting exceptional sharpness thanks to its elevated pixel density. Enabling Windows ClearType further enhances the boldness of letters, ensuring an optimal reading experience. While it may not match the text rendering capabilities of other 4K monitors, such as the Dell G3223Q, due to potential issues with program compatibility stemming from its triangular subpixel layout, it still outperforms many ultrawide QD-OLED counterparts, including the Dell Alienware AW3423DW. These observations are evident in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 environments, with and without ClearType activated.
In terms of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) compatibility, the Dell AW3225QF stands out by supporting all common formats over both DisplayPort and HDMI, including FreeSync, despite lacking official AMD certification. Its inclusion of Low Framerate Compensation ensures smooth VRR operation even at lower frame rates. Moreover, G-SYNC functionality over HDMI functions flawlessly without encountering any notable issues during testing.
A comparison between the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 S32BG85 and the Dell Alienware AW3225QF reveals nuanced distinctions. Both monitors boast 4K resolution and a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, yet diverge in picture quality. The Dell’s utilization of a QD-OLED panel delivers superior blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the Samsung counterpart. Furthermore, the Dell model avoids common bugs like scanlines or flickering in dark scenes, offering a more seamless visual experience.
However, the Samsung monitor shines in well-lit environments, thanks to its impressive brightness capabilities. Additionally, it mitigates the risk of burn-in associated with prolonged exposure to static elements, making it a preferred option for extended usage scenarios.
The Dell AW3225QF emerges as a powerhouse for both content creation and gaming endeavors, offering a blend of impressive features and performance alongside a few notable drawbacks.
For content creation enthusiasts, the monitor shines with its exceptional accuracy in sRGB picture mode, eliminating the need for manual calibration. Its expansive 32-inch screen and high 4K resolution provide ample space for multitasking while delivering crisp, detailed images. However, the slightly curved screen may necessitate an adjustment period for users unaccustomed to such displays. Despite these advantages, OLED panels like the one featured in the AW3225QF are susceptible to burn-in over time, cautioning against prolonged exposure to static elements.
In gaming circles, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF monitor earns acclaim for its outstanding performance. With near-instantaneous response times and low input lag, it ensures smooth, responsive gameplay with crisp motion clarity. The monitor’s near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity contribute to immersive dark room gaming experiences, accentuated by vivid colors and highlights that pop. Additionally, its high resolution and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth enable seamless 4K gaming at refresh rates of up to 240Hz. However, the lack of support for 1440p signals from consoles may disappoint some users.
In summarizing its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Expansive 32-inch screen.
- Superb black levels and uniformity.
- Impressive 240Hz refresh rate with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.
- Near-instantaneous response time.
- HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for high-resolution gaming.
Cons:
- Limited support for 1440p signals from consoles.
- Issues with Dolby Vision compatibility.
- eARC port functionality may be unreliable.
Despite these drawbacks, the Dell AW3225QF stands as a versatile choice for users seeking top-tier performance in both content creation and gaming realms, offering a compelling combination of features and capabilities. The Dell Alienware AW3225QF redefines the gaming monitor landscape with its unparalleled blend of performance, versatility, and aesthetics. Whether you’re indulging in intense gaming sessions or enjoying cinematic masterpieces, this monitor is poised to elevate your viewing experience to new heights.