The Alienware AW3425DW builds on the success of the AW3423DW and AW3423DWF, but this time, it has an upgraded refresh rate. It also offers a new look that’s the same as that of the AW2725Q. Let’s take a closer look at whether the new model’s lower pricing has flaws or increases the value offered for gamers.
Alienware AW3425DW Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: QD-OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (1000 cd/m2 (HDR Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD15W x 1, USB 5Gbps x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 32.05″ x 21.85″ x 9.13″
- Weight: 17.95 lbs
Design and Features
We love the new Interstellar Indigo finishes on the Alienware AW3425DW since it’s a new, yet non-polarizing take on monitor aesthetics. It looks clean and sophisticated while defining the monitor as a gaming variant as opposed to the black and silver of the business models. The screen has a bezel-free design, but there are still some inner borders, like with most modern panels.
It’s also worth mentioning that this new model has fewer RGB lighting when compared to its predecessors. That’s not a deal-breaker, but fans of the brand might miss the added aesthetic that a gentle backglow adds to any setup. We know many will not care, and it is easy to do RGB lighting now, but it’s always nice to have something you can just turn off if you don’t like it or customize to your heart’s desires.
The product’s box also has a new look, but it is still the clamshell type, which saves space and materials. The parts are arranged in a neat manner that makes assembly painless for both experienced and newbie users alike. The whole package felt lighter, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a bad deal.
The box includes everything you will need to get the Alienware AW3425DW up and running. There is a cable each for power, DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, and USB upstream. You also get a screen wipe and a small box of goodies that are standard with every Alienware monitor.
The monitor’s build quality is pretty solid, even if it seems like it lost a lot of weight versus other ultrawides. The plastics are perfectly smooth and free from debris or defects, and there were no signs from the panel that they would flex or crack under moderate pressure. The stand is a bit wobbly, but it is within the normal range of what we see on typical ultrawides with adjustable stands.
One of the first things we look at when unboxing a monitor is its controller and power button layout. The joystick for this model is at dead center under the Alienware logo, while the power button is to the right and is well-defined by an RGB LED light.
Probably the most disappointing aspect of the Alienware AW3425DW is its connectivity layout. It has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a slot each for USB-A, type-B, and type-C. The latter has 5 Gbps and 15 watts of charging, but it doesn’t have DP Alt Mode.
The Type-A and Type-C slots are located near the joystick for easy access to data devices like thumb drives. It’s always nice to have a convenience hub, but it would be nice to have a single cable solution for laptops. Gaming monitors are not often connected via USB-C, but some laptop gamers do so all the time.
We also don’t have the panel cover and cable channel found on the AW3225QF, which worked great for cable management. You can only use the tidy hole on the stand with the AW3425DW. However, that’s a minor complaint since it’s mostly a quality of life upgrade rather than one for performance.
The included stand offers height, tilt, and just enough swivel and pivot to level the curved screen. Centering the display is a must since it’s curved, but the provided adjustment makes it easier to customize according to your needs. You can also use VESA mounts, but we don’t think that’s necessary since this model has enough flexibility.
This model doesn’t have speakers as well, just like most of Alienware’s most recent releases. That’s fine in our books since it deserves equally immersive headsets that will match the screen’s effect. It’s also easier to focus on your game with them versus built-in speakers that most of the time lack depth, so we’re okay with it.
Display and Performance
The Alienware AW3425DW boasts a 34-inch OLED panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. It has a 250 cd/m2 typical brightness and a 1000 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certified, indicating that it’s capable of true HDR performance, unlike the regular HDR 400 monitors.
34-inch models have been around for some time now, but that doesn’t mean that they are out of style. It’s a reasonable option versus the super ultrawides, is sharp enough to feel like an upgrade, and has become more affordable in recent years. It’s also great for productivity other than immersive gaming, so you definitely get more for every dollar spent.
The Alienware AW3425DW fired up without any issue when we first ran it with our testbed. The refresh rate did not go automatically to 240Hz, so you do have to set it yourself before anything else. Both HDMI and DisplayPort support VRR and the full 240Hz output, but we used DisplayPort for this test.
The Alienware AW3425DW covered 100% sRGB and 94% of DCI-P3 for superb colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of .99, so it is already very accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to calibrate it since it looks like Alienware already did a fantastic job at the factory.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.4, which is even better, but not worth it for most users. It’s a difference that would be hard to discern with naked eyes, so we can only recommend a colorimeter purchase if you are into color-critical work. The gadget itself is quite expensive for something that will only be used from time to time.
The OLED panel’s brightness reached 231 cd/m2 at 100%, but it peaked at 933 cd/m2 in HDR. The contrast ratio was incalculable, enabling the screen to provide deep true blacks for dark scenes and imagery. This characteristic is perhaps why OLEDs are more desirable compared to their backlit counterparts.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues at the bottom left corner, but it is not as noticeable as it would be on a backlit screen. The bigger issue with OLEDs is their susceptibility to burn-in, which is permanent. The monitor comes with features like pixel refresh to take care of that, so it is going to be easy to maintain the display.
The pixel response time is as expected, excellent, thanks to OLED’s lack of reliance on a backlight for transitions. Fast-paced gamers look buttery smooth and free from persistence. Other panel types, even the high-end ones, need overdrive or something similar to achieve a comparable output.
The Alienware AW3425DW is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, unlike the first-generation VRR-capable monitors. Dual compatibility is essential now since the GPU market is crazy, so you never know when you might have to swap to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, making it one of the fastest ultrawides on the market.
Thoughts on the Alienware AW3425DW
The Alienware AW3425DW is a fantastic upgrade to any setup, including its slower predecessors. The additional speed and better color quality, combined with the lower MSRP, make it an incredible purchase. It is great for immersive and competitive gaming, plus the extra-wide viewing space makes it invaluable for productivity.
It is missing a few nice-to-haves like USB-C with DP Alt Mode, which would have made it an even better value. The MSRP dropped, but it’s still far from cheap, and that’s understandable since it’s an extra-fast OLED monitor. Overall, it’s a fantastic purchase, and we highly recommend it unless you want a super ultrawide or one of its 4K siblings in the brand’s lineup.
Pros:
- Vibrant and True Black Performance
- Fast and Blur Free
- Excellent Build Quality and Design
- Lower MSRP
Cons:
- Still a Bit Expensive
- Not a Lot of Extra Features
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Overall
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