Ultrawide gaming monitors offer a unique level of immersion, stretching gameplay across a 21:9 aspect ratio. While these displays have traditionally commanded premium prices, the Alienware AW3426DW aims to change that, offering a QD-OLED panel and Dolby Vision compatibility for $799. This pricing positions it as a significant investment, but one that could remain a centerpiece of a gaming setup for years to come.
The monitor is available now directly from Dell's website, with the potential for further discounts during sales events.
Design and Features
The AW3426DW sports Alienware's signature design, featuring a galaxy purple colorway on the rear with an RGB alien head logo. While the back presents a distinctive aesthetic, the front is more understated, with narrow bezels framing the expansive display. An Alienware logo is present on the bottom bezel, and a lit power button sits in the lower right corner.
This is a substantial display, measuring approximately 32 inches wide and 14 inches tall without its stand, and weighing around 17 pounds. The monitor includes an OSD (On-Screen Display) accessed via a button on the underside, allowing for adjustments to picture settings, PIP (Picture-in-Picture), and input switching. A USB-B port enables connection to a PC for control via the Alienware Control Center, which manages features like RGB lighting.
Among the OSD features is 'Alienvision,' which overlays aiming reticles onto the screen, potentially aiding in first-person shooters. The monitor also offers an 'Esports Mode' that effectively shrinks the 34-inch ultrawide display to a 25-inch 16:9 aspect ratio, making it easier to view the entire screen without head movement. However, this mode reduces the resolution to 2368x1332. For those prioritizing frame rate, manually setting the resolution to 1920x1080 while leveraging the 280Hz refresh rate is also an option.
The AW3426DW supports both FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility, ensuring smooth, tear-free visuals across a range of frame rates, which is expected for a gaming monitor of this caliber.
Gaming Performance and Visuals
At its core, the AW3426DW is a 34-inch, 21:9 panel with a 3440x1440 resolution and a 280Hz refresh rate. Its QD-OLED display produces deep blacks and vibrant HDR, providing a visually striking experience. Color accuracy is strong, with the monitor reportedly hitting 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, 100% sRGB, and 97% Adobe RGB, making it suitable for content creation as well as gaming.
In testing, games on the AW3426DW were described as stunning. The high contrast of the QD-OLED panel enhances visuals, particularly in darker scenes. Coupled with a high-end gaming PC, the monitor's high refresh rate and fast 0.03ms response time contribute to smooth and responsive gameplay.
Despite its $799 price, the AW3426DW is positioned as more affordable than competing monitors like the LG Ultragear UWQHD or Asus ROG Swift PG34WCDN, which often exceed $1000. The monitor reportedly shows no signs of ghosting or motion blur at its full 280Hz, and exhibits minimal light bleed. The primary criticism noted is the plastic back panel, though this is a minor concern once the monitor is set up.
The Alienware AW3426DW offers an immersive ultrawide experience with a beautiful QD-OLED display, making it a compelling option for PC gamers who have the desk space and a powerful enough system to drive it.