The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor that has garnered significant attention for its Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel, delivering a blend of stunning visuals, immersive design, and high-end gaming performance. As a more affordable variant of the AW3423DW, it swaps Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, adds a glossy coating, and introduces features like Console Mode, all while maintaining the core strengths of its predecessor. This review provides an unbiased, detailed analysis of the AW3423DWF, covering its design, display quality, gaming performance, features, and potential drawbacks, based on extensive testing and user feedback.
Design and Build Quality
The Alienware AW3423DWF follows the brand’s signature futuristic aesthetic, blending sleek lines with functional ergonomics. Measuring 16.4 x 32.1 x 12 inches (HWD with stand) and weighing approximately 21 pounds, it’s lighter than its predecessor, the AW3423DW, by about 3 pounds, making it easier to set up or reposition. The monitor features a 34.18-inch curved display with an 1800R curvature, striking a balance between immersion and minimal distortion, ideal for both gaming and productivity.
Aesthetics
The monitor sports a dark, minimalist chassis with a “Dark Side of the Moon” color scheme, accented by Alienware’s iconic AlienFX RGB lighting on the rear. The lighting is customizable via Dell’s Alienware Command Center, allowing users to sync effects with games or other peripherals. A subtle “34” and Alienware logo on the back add flair without being ostentatious. The thin bezels (9.5mm on sides, 6.5mm on top, 16mm on bottom) maximize screen real estate, enhancing the immersive feel.
Ergonomics
The stand offers robust adjustability:
- Height adjustment: Up to 110mm
- Tilt: -5° to 21°
- Swivel: -20° to 20°
While the lack of pivot functionality is a minor drawback for an ultrawide monitor, the available adjustments ensure comfortable positioning for most setups. The stand’s sturdy, two-pronged base provides stability, though it requires a decent amount of desk depth (12 inches).
Connectivity
The AW3423DWF is well-equipped for connectivity:
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 downstream ports (front)
- 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 downstream ports (rear)
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 upstream port
- 1x Audio line-out
- 1x Headphone-out
The inclusion of multiple USB ports is a boon for connecting peripherals, and one front USB port supports BC1.2 charging (2A max). However, the absence of HDMI 2.1 limits console gaming potential, as it caps at 100Hz for 3440×1440 signals from PS5 or Xbox Series X. The Console Mode, which downscales 4k @ 60Hz signals, mitigates this somewhat, but it’s not a full substitute for native ultrawide support.
Build Quality
Dell’s build quality is top-notch, with premium materials and sustainable packaging (molded cardboard pulp instead of foam). The monitor feels durable, and the panel is protected by a semi-glossy anti-reflective coating, an improvement over the AW3423DW’s matte finish, enhancing vibrancy and black levels. The cooling system includes a quiet fan, inaudible for most users, addressing concerns about noise in some AW3423DW units.
Display Quality
The AW3423DWF’s QD-OLED panel, sourced from Samsung, is the star of the show. Combining OLED’s perfect blacks with quantum dot-enhanced color and brightness, it delivers a visual experience that rivals or surpasses most competing monitors.
Specifications
- Size: 34.18 inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 (WQHD)
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9 ultrawide
- Panel Type: QD-OLED
- Curvature: 1800R
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz (DisplayPort), 100Hz (HDMI)
- Response Time: 0.1ms (GtG)
- Color Gamut: 100% sRGB, 98.4% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3
- Brightness: 329 nits (SDR), 611 nits (HDR, peak 1000 nits)
- Contrast Ratio: Effectively infinite (OLED)
- HDR Certifications: DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400
Color Performance
The AW3423DWF excels in color accuracy, with factory calibration ensuring a Delta E < 2 for sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts. Testing confirms exceptional coverage: 100% sRGB, 98.4% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3, making it suitable for gaming, content creation, and media consumption. Colors are vivid yet natural, with no oversaturation in default modes. The Creator mode allows switching between sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts, catering to professionals needing precise color spaces.
However, the triangular RGB subpixel layout can cause slight green/reddish fringing on small text or thin lines, particularly noticeable in productivity tasks like coding. This is mitigated using ClearType or similar software, but it may bother users sensitive to such artifacts. In games and videos, the fringing is imperceptible.
Brightness and Contrast
The QD-OLED panel achieves 329 nits in SDR and up to 611 nits in HDR, with a peak of 1000 nits for small highlights. While not as bright as some LCDs or newer QD-OLEDs (e.g., AW3225QF), it’s sufficient for most environments. The infinite contrast ratio delivers true blacks, as pixels turn off completely in dark scenes, resulting in unparalleled depth and detail. However, the lack of a polarizing layer means black levels can rise in bright rooms, making the monitor best suited for dim or controlled lighting.
HDR Performance
With DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, the AW3423DWF excels in HDR gaming. Highlights pop vividly against inky blacks, and the wide color gamut enhances realism in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal. However, the HDR 1000 mode has calibration issues, with inaccurate brightness tracking that can over-brighten or dim scenes. A firmware update could address this, but as of testing, it’s a minor flaw. The monitor’s per-pixel dimming ensures no blooming or haloing, a significant advantage over LCDs.
Text Clarity
The 3440×1440 resolution on a 34-inch screen yields a pixel density of 110 PPI, offering sharp details without requiring scaling. Text is generally clear, but the subpixel layout may cause fringing in certain applications. For most users, this is a non-issue, especially for gaming or media, but it’s worth noting for text-heavy workflows.
Gaming Performance
The AW3423DWF is a gaming powerhouse, combining a 165Hz refresh rate, 0.1ms response time, and Adaptive-Sync for tear-free performance.
Refresh Rate and Response Time
The 165Hz refresh rate (slightly lower than the AW3423DW’s 175Hz) is imperceptibly different in practice, delivering smooth gameplay in fast-paced titles like Battlefield 2042 and Apex Legends. The 0.1ms gray-to-gray response time eliminates ghosting and motion blur, with near-instantaneous pixel transitions characteristic of OLED. Testing shows average response times closer to 1.4ms, still exceptional for a monitor in this class.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
The monitor supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro with a 48-165Hz range, ensuring tear-free gaming on both AMD and Nvidia GPUs (despite not being officially G-Sync Compatible). VRR performance is flawless, with no stuttering or tearing in supported titles. A minor issue is the subtle near-black gamma shift in dark scenes with VRR enabled, common to OLEDs, but it’s rarely noticeable.
Input Lag
Input lag is impressively low, with tests measuring around 1-2ms, providing a responsive feel critical for competitive gaming. The AW3423DWF outperforms its predecessor in this regard, likely due to firmware optimizations and the absence of a G-Sync module.
Console Gaming
The Console Mode enhances compatibility with PS5 and Xbox Series X by downscaling 4k @ 60Hz signals to 3440×1440. While effective, the 21:9 aspect ratio isn’t natively supported by consoles, resulting in black bars on the sides. The HDMI 2.0 ports limit refresh rates to 100Hz for ultrawide signals, making the monitor less ideal for console gamers compared to PC users.
Immersion
The ultrawide 21:9 aspect ratio and 1800R curvature create a deeply immersive experience, particularly in atmospheric games like Elden Ring or Horizon Forbidden West. The curved screen wraps around the viewer, enhancing peripheral vision and drawing players into the game world. The AlienVision feature, which highlights the screen’s center for sniping or focus, is a niche but welcome addition for competitive play.
Features and Software
The AW3423DWF offers a robust feature set, enhancing both gaming and productivity.
On-Screen Display (OSD)
The OSD, controlled by a joystick, is intuitive and feature-rich. Key options include:
- Picture Modes: Standard, Creator (sRGB/DCI-P3), Game, Custom Color
- AlienVision: Enhances central screen area for gaming
- Console Mode: Optimizes console compatibility
- Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture: Displays multiple inputs simultaneously
- ComfortView Plus: Low blue light filter for eye comfort
- Dark Stabilizer: Improves visibility in dark scenes
The panel health meter monitors pixel refresh intervals, ensuring burn-in prevention measures are active. However, the OSD lacks an ambient light sensor, a minor omission.
Burn-In Prevention
OLED burn-in is a concern, but the AW3423DWF mitigates this with:
- Pixel Shift: Shifts pixels every 3 minutes to prevent static image retention
- Pixel Refresher: Automatic cleaning cycles
- Panel Refresh: Manual deep cleaning option
Dell’s three-year warranty, covering burn-in, provides peace of mind, a standout feature compared to competitors. Users report minimal issues with burn-in when using precautions like hiding the taskbar or using dark wallpapers.
Alienware Command Center
The desktop software allows customization of AlienFX lighting, AlienVision settings, and monitor profiles. It’s user-friendly but requires installation, which some may find unnecessary for basic use.
Productivity and Media Consumption
While primarily a gaming monitor, the AW3423DWF excels in productivity and media tasks. The 34-inch ultrawide screen is ideal for multitasking, allowing side-by-side windows for coding, editing, or browsing. The high color accuracy and Creator mode make it suitable for photo editing, though professionals may prefer a dedicated monitor for critical color work due to the subpixel fringing.
For media, the 21:9 aspect ratio enhances cinematic content shot in ultrawide, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, 16:9 content results in black bars, which may detract from the experience on platforms like YouTube. The lack of built-in speakers is a drawback, but the audio line-out and headphone ports provide flexible audio options.
Drawbacks and Considerations
No monitor is perfect, and the AW3423DWF has a few limitations:
- Text Fringing: The triangular subpixel layout can cause green/reddish fringing on small text, noticeable in productivity tasks.
- Bright Room Performance: Raised black levels in well-lit environments reduce contrast, making dark rooms ideal.
- Console Limitations: HDMI 2.0 and lack of native 21:9 support limit console gaming potential.
- Pixel Shift: The aggressive pixel shift (every 3 minutes) can be noticeable during static tasks like web browsing, though it’s a necessary burn-in prevention measure.
- HDR Calibration: The HDR 1000 mode has brightness tracking issues, requiring a firmware fix.
- Price: At $1,099 (often discounted to $999), it’s expensive, though justified by its performance and warranty.
Comparison to Competitors
AW3423DWF vs. AW3423DW
The AW3423DWF is nearly identical to the AW3423DW but offers:
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro instead of G-Sync Ultimate
- Glossy coating for better vibrancy
- Console Mode and PiP/PbP support
- $200 lower price ($1,099 vs. $1,299)
- Slightly lower refresh rate (165Hz vs. 175Hz)
The AW3423DWF is the better value for most users, as the G-Sync module adds cost without significant gameplay benefits.
AW3423DWF vs. Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD
The Samsung G80SD (32-inch, 4k, 240Hz) offers higher resolution and refresh rate but lacks the ultrawide immersion. The AW3423DWF’s curved screen and lower price make it preferable for atmospheric gaming.
AW3423DWF vs. ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDM
The ASUS PG34WCDM (34-inch, 240Hz, W-OLED) has a higher refresh rate but suffers from more noticeable fringing and a steeper 800R curve. The AW3423DWF’s QD-OLED panel delivers better color volume and brightness.
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF is a phenomenal gaming monitor that sets a high bar for ultrawide displays. Its QD-OLED panel delivers stunning visuals with perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and infinite contrast, making it a top choice for immersive gaming and media consumption. The 165Hz refresh rate, 0.1ms response time, and FreeSync Premium Pro ensure flawless performance, while features like Console Mode and PiP/PbP add versatility. The three-year burn-in warranty is a significant advantage, addressing a key OLED concern.
However, minor drawbacks like text fringing, bright room performance, and console limitations prevent it from being perfect. For gamers seeking a premium ultrawide experience, the AW3423DWF is an outstanding investment, especially at its discounted price point. For productivity or console-focused users, alternatives may better suit specific needs.
Pros:
- Exceptional QD-OLED picture quality
- Immersive ultrawide curved design
- Smooth 165Hz gaming with low input lag
- Robust burn-in warranty
- Versatile features for gaming and productivity
Cons:
- Text fringing due to subpixel layout
- Suboptimal in bright rooms
- Limited console support
- Minor HDR calibration issues
