I tested a 34-inch 240Hz QD-OLED gaming monitor that nails performance and design — with a price that’s lower than you’d guess

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate numerous gaming monitors, and Alienware continually leaves me in awe with their exceptional products. Consequently, I eagerly anticipate examining any new displays that this company releases.

Generally, it’s quite costly to find a 34-inch, curved OLED gaming monitor that offers exceptionally clear motion, high visual quality, and added comfort features.

“Usually, you’ll need to shell out a good amount of money if you’re looking for a 34-inch curved OLED gaming monitor with smooth motion, top-notch visuals, and other perks.” This rephrased version maintains the original meaning while using different phrasing.

It left me quite astonished to discover that the latest model, Alienware 34″ QD-OLED AW3425DW, is significantly cheaper than its prior version, and yet it continues to deliver an exceptional gaming experience that ranks among the best in the market.

To reduce costs compared to competitors, it simplifies some non-essential elements. This simplicity, however, contributes to its status as a top-tier, premium choice.

This review was facilitated through a complimentary product from Dell. Before it was published, neither the company nor they had any control or insight into its content.

The Alienware AW3425DW is the upgraded version of the Alienware AW3423DWF, which my colleague Zachary Boddy previously reviewed. This latest model boasts several enhancements such as increased refresh rate, quicker response time, brighter HDR, and a more affordable price tag reduced by $300.

There are also some tradeoffs, which I’ll get into later.

A brief search of various online retailers reveals that curved OLED gaming monitors with a screen size of 34 inches, featuring a refresh rate up to 240Hz, response time as fast as 0.03ms, and resolution of 3440×1440 are usually priced between $899.99 and $1,399.99.

Indeed, it’s noteworthy that the Alienware AW3425DW is available for just $799.99 at Best Buy, making it one of the more affordable high-end choices on the market, hailing from a reliable brand (Alienware being Dell’s gaming division).

Although this monitor may not boast as many advanced features found in some models (such as lacking built-in speakers, offering a more limited number of ports, and having less extensive RGB capabilities), it nevertheless includes all essential components required for top-tier gaming.

Additionally, it’s quite common that the speakers in built-in monitors aren’t of high quality, leading you to prefer a gaming headset or separate computer speakers. This choice not only reduces costs but also allows you to utilize your monitor as you probably planned to use it in the first place.

Alienware 34″ QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) — What’s in the box?

Upon unboxing the Alienware AW3425DW, you’ll discover an adjustable stand, a square base, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 cables, a USB-B cable, power cord, instruction manuals, and a microfiber cloth. Essentially, it comes equipped with all the necessary components to immediately connect this monitor to a suitable computer once unpacked.

Alienware 34″ QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW): Why I love it

Thanks to its toolless assembly, it only took me about five minutes to get this monitor set up.

The base attaches to the stand using a pre-installed screw, followed by pushing the stand gently into the monitor’s rear until you hear a click. After that, simply place the monitor on your desk and connect the necessary cables.

Instead of finding gaming monitors typically monotonous with their usual array of black, gray, or white casings, I find the dark blue monitor design exceptionally appealing.

The shade remains slightly muted grey or dark in certain light conditions, yet it boasts a touch of vibrant hue to make it more distinct among alternatives. Here’s hoping that this is merely the initial step, and Alienware expands their monitor color palette significantly across their diverse monitor product lines.

In addition to its compact size, the versatile stand is another key feature of this display’s design. It allows you to tilt, swivel, rotate, and even elevate or lower the display to find the perfect angle for your viewing needs.

The foundation is incredibly robust, occupying less space on my desk compared to many other gaming monitors I’ve reviewed.

Of course, where this monitor really excels is with its stunning viewing experience.

Excellent motion clarity and visual quality

During my gameplay sessions with the Alienware Area-51 gaming desktop (expect a review soon!), I tested various titles such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Cyberpunk 2077, and Baldur’s Gate 3.

Every single instance, I found myself captivated by the vivid details, stunning color palette, superior contrast, and impeccable motion sharpness. Additionally, the ability to switch between Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) allowed me to achieve my desired aesthetic.

To gain a deeper understanding of the monitor’s performance, I took out my color measurement tool (colorimeter) to assess its color range (color gamut), brightness level, and contrast ratio.

Alienware claims the monitor covers approximately 99.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. However, during my tests, it only managed to reach 97%, and never attained the full 99% on any of its pre-set modes. Nonetheless, this is still an exceptional result.

The Alienware AW3425DW has earned the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, indicating exceptional dynamic range and contrast. This was demonstrated in tests where it managed to achieve a true black level of 0.00.

Just as with OLED screens, this implies that the pixels will fully switch off when showing black, resulting in true blacks rather than shades of gray that can sometimes occur with other display technologies.

In the context of SDR (Standard Dynamic Range), the monitor successfully attained its peak brightness level of 254 nits, which is commonly observed in QD-OLED (Quantum Dot – Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays.

In high dynamic range (HDR), the screen reaches its maximum brightness of 974 nits, making it among the brightest levels commonly observed in Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diode (QD-OLED) displays.

At the bottom center of the screen, there’s a joystick that allows quick access to the on-screen menu (OSD) for adjusting preset modes, brightness, and other settings. If you’d rather manage these settings with your mouse, Alienware’s Command Center is also an available option.

During my exploration with the previous model’s monitor, I had mentioned that the Command Center sometimes degraded its performance and made it challenging to access numerous settings. However, in my personal experience with the AW3425DW, such issues appeared to be addressed and rectified, which is a welcome improvement!

The Command Center could certainly benefit from some enhancements, however, it offers a user-friendly design that enables me to promptly modify the two RGB zones (the power button and the Alien symbol at the back), adjust brightness and contrast levels, select a preferred mode, enable HDR, alter refresh rates, pick an input source, set up Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture, and activate Alien Vision presets, if preferred.

What frustrates me most about Command Center is that it occasionally locks up and restarts unexpectedly during use, which seems illogical since I’m utilizing one of the newest Alienware monitors and Alienware PCs. I would expect such a setup to be compatible.

Alienware 34″ QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW): What needs to improve

Regarding the design philosophy behind this Alienware monitor, there’s nothing negative to say about its functionality or offerings. Yet, it’s important to note that certain sacrifices come with the lower price tag associated with it.

Regarding the ports on this monitor, its coverage isn’t extensive. For visual connections, it offers two HDMI 2.1 and one DisplayPort 1.4. Including a USB-C display port in addition would have made it more versatile.

Apart from it, you’ll find a USB-B port. To supply power to the USB hub, which in turn offers both USB-C and USB-A ports located at the base of the monitor, this connection is necessary with your computer.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve made a conscious choice for this latest monitor model to come at a lower cost. It features fewer USB-A ports, no headphone jack, and less RGB areas compared to its predecessor. However, fret not! You can still connect your accessories to your computer or opt for a hub station if required. This streamlined design won’t cramp your style or compromise functionality significantly.

For avid RGB enthusiasts, it may prove somewhat disheartening to find only two tiny RGB illuminated regions, represented by the Alien symbol at the rear and a minuscule power button located on the lower right corner of the screen.

✅ You should buy this if …

• You want a premium monitor but don’t want to pay too much for it

  Most gaming monitors of this caliber sell between $900 and $1,400, but this one gives you all of the main features you really need to enjoy high-end gaming while keeping the cost lower than most competitors.

❌ You should not buy this if …

• You specifically want a monitor with a headphone jack or USB-C display port connectivityTo reduce the price of this display, some features were omitted, including a headphone jack and USB-C display port. If you’re one of the few people who really needs these connections on your display, then this monitor might not be a good choice.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself genuinely impressed by the Alienware 34″ Curved AW3425DW Gaming Monitor.

This display delivers sharp clarity, boasting outstanding contrast and authentic black tones to showcase the vivid colors of HDR games spectacularly. Additionally, it boasts a swift 240Hz refresh rate, rapid 0.03ms response time, and G-Sync technology that ensures smooth, tear-free motion with an unparalleled level of clarity.

Not only does this monitor deliver top-notch performance, but it’s also quite affordably priced when compared to similar quality models. If you can manage with fewer USB-A ports and a missing headphone jack, it promises excellent service for your needs.

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2025-06-28 14:10