Alienware’s AW3423DWF, also known as the Alienware 34 QD-OLED, is my favorite gaming monitor. It definitely tops the list of best gaming monitors at , but it’s also the display I use every day for work, gaming, and everything in between. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Alienware 34 QD-OLED has supercharged my gaming setup, and it’s at its lowest price ever.
You probably know Amazon’s Prime Day deals are going on — and if you haven’t, be sure to check out our roundups of the best Prime Day gaming laptop and best Prime Day gaming PC deals — but you won’t be getting an Alienware monitor. On Amazon. Some of the best deals you’ll find on Prime Day aren’t on Amazon, as other retailers step up with their own deals.
In this case, the Alienware AW3423DWF is reduced to $800 straight from Dell. You’ll usually find it on sale for $1,000, and if you buy it without a price cut you’ll spend $1,100. Even at $1,000, the Alienware AW3423DWF is a good value. With its price reduction today, it is a straightforward deal. Just a few months ago, the monitor made headlines for falling to $1,000. Now, it’s $200 cheaper.
The Alienware 34″ AW3423DWF is the gaming monitor I personally use, and after reviewing gaming monitors for years, I think I have a good choice. But I understand if you’re not sold. It’s still an $800 monitor, so let me convince you that you should buy it.
For starters, it’s a QD-OLED display. It brings together the perfect black levels and infinite contrast of OLED with quantum dots. Without getting into too much technobabble, this allows this display to deliver solid brightness and vibrant colors, which traditional OLED is a bit of a struggle for. The result is a display that has the best HDR performance you can find in a gaming monitor, putting even displays like the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 to shame.
HDR performance is a big deal to me and the immersive games I like to play, especially with an app like SpecialK that can incorporate HDR into games. starfield, P’s lie, And Alden Ring.
In addition to showstopping color and HDR, you’re getting a 165Hz refresh rate, which I’ve found is the sweet spot for most gaming displays. It’s supported by AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, so you can use the full refresh rate with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) active.
There are actually two versions of the Alienware 34 QD-OLED. The one I’m recommending is the cheaper FreeSync version. There is also a slightly more expensive G-Sync version that is not on sale. Despite this, the FreeSync version is better overall. The original model does not support firmware updates, while this version does, so it is a must buy.
For image quality and premium gaming, nothing beats the Alienware 34 QD-OLED. However, a big reason it’s been on my desk for over a year is the 21:9 aspect ratio. This aspect ratio, known as ultrawide, pushes out the sides for more horizontal screen real estate. This is not only great for gaming, but also great for productivity.
The ultrawide form factor allows me to drag two windows up together without squishing them too much. As I am typing this article, I have one window open for where I am writing and another for research and reference. This solves the multi-monitor problem with a single display, and I can’t imagine it working any other way.
Although I use it for work, it’s definitely a gaming monitor first and foremost. Since this is an OLED display, the risk of OLED burn-in exists, even if it’s not a problem most people will encounter. This is something you should be aware of, but it shouldn’t put you off the monitor if you plan to use it primarily for gaming.
Even with that asterisk, the Alienware AW3423DWF is still the best gaming monitor. I bought one for a full $1,100, and I don’t think I spent much at all. At this price of $800, it’s a steal.