Relying on the place you reside, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF was the primary 4K 240Hz QD-OLED show to hit the market, and in a number of areas it stays probably the most reasonably priced possibility on this premium section geared toward PC avid gamers. As you’ll be able to in all probability guess, at present’s evaluate shall be all about evaluating it in opposition to the Asus and MSI opponents we have now already examined.
The Alienware AW3225QF makes use of a variant of Samsung’s 32-inch 4K 240Hz QD-OLED panel, which makes use of their third-gen panel expertise. This implies we’re seeing many similarities between the Dell mannequin and others, like rated 0.03ms response occasions, per pixel native dimming, true HDR performance with DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, and naturally, adaptive sync help.
Dell can be bringing some distinctive options to the desk, like out of the field help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient, one of many first gaming displays to help the spec.
All of this may be had for $1,200, with is aggressive and never outrageously inflated pricing in key areas like Europe. If Dell can stick the touchdown from a {hardware} and efficiency standpoint, there shall be loads of causes to decide on this monitor over the competitors.
One of many greatest variations between the AW3225QF and the opposite displays to make use of this QD-OLED panel is its curve. Samsung have produced each a curved and flat model of the 32-inch 4K panel, most producers have chosen the flat variant, whereas Dell have gone with the 1700R curved variant. This makes it stand out from the pack, however may also scale back its desirability amongst patrons.
Curved panels, particularly these with a normal 16:9 side ratio, will be divisive and whether or not you’re keen on or hate a curved panel is completely subjective. Flat panels are likely to have broad attraction however when a curve is launched there’s at all times going to be a subset of patrons that hate the curve and can by no means purchase it when flat options exist. Alternatively, in case you particularly desire a curved display, the Dell mannequin turns into the standout – and solely – alternative with this spec.
Personally, at this measurement and side ratio I desire a flat display. For gaming, the curve is just not an enormous deal, at 1700R it is a modest curve, notably much less curved than the Samsung Odyssey displays that go for 1000R, and through gameplay you do not actually discover it. However for productiveness work and common desktop app utilization, I desire a flat display because it introduces fewer distortions. These new 4K panels are probably the most suited to productiveness we have seen but from an OLED and I really feel the curve takes a bit of bit away from that.
Specs and Design
As for the remainder of the design, we actually like what Dell has accomplished, that is completely a premium monitor with the construct high quality to match. Like their unique 34-inch ultrawide, we’re getting this good two-tone impact the place the entrance of the monitor is generally black and dominated by the big 32-inch panel, whereas the stand legs and rear have important white sections.
Many of the outer surfaces are a pleasant prime quality plastic with a clean minimalist end that we predict seems nice.
Whereas nonetheless a comparatively slim design, you aren’t getting as a lot of the tremendous skinny OLED panel look on the AW3225QF as with the 2 flat variations from MSI and Asus, we suspect that is to raised help the curve.
Additionally, that is the one one of many three to make use of lively cooling. It does have a fan inside that spins at a gradual velocity, nonetheless it has been just about inaudible always which is completely welcomed. I am solely mentioning it right here for the silent PC fans that demand a product with out lively cooling.
The stand is sturdy and helps vary of movement, together with top, tilt and swivel; the utmost top on supply is respectable. The stand with its two legs takes up a normal quantity of desk house, nothing too outrageous for a monitor of this measurement.
Connectivity
As for ports, we get one DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 48 Gbps ports with DSC, and a number of other USB ports together with three type-A and one type-C. Each DP and HDMI help the complete 4K 240Hz expertise, although DSC is required for each. The USB ports purely act as a hub, the USB-C port can’t be used as a show enter, there is not any KVM change, and energy supply over USB maxes out at 7.5W.
Additionally price mentioning is that the AW3225QF is a uncommon monitor that helps eARC for plugging in audio units over HDMI. I’ve seen conflicting experiences about whether or not this works, however I attempted it with an Nvidia Protect because the supply machine and a Samsung soundbar over eARC and it labored simply superb. This was with the most recent firmware (M2B103) out there as of writing.
The OSD is managed via a directional toggle on the underside edge close to the Alienware emblem and it is a quick, straightforward to navigate interface for probably the most half. Dell gives some sport particular options like a crosshair, sniper mode, refresh fee show and shadow boosting, in addition to a normal vary of shade controls. The OLED care options are on the restricted facet although, with solely pixel and panel refresh out there to the person. Different burn-in prevention options seem like enabled, they only haven’t any person adjustability.
One other huge speaking level with new 4K QD-OLEDs is textual content high quality. Shifting to a 3840 x 2160 decision at this measurement equals 140 PPI, a 27% enchancment in pixel density in comparison with 110 PPI 27-inch class 1440p OLEDs we had seen earlier than. Subpixel construction enhancements launched with 2nd-gen QD-OLED, and carried via to this Third-gen panel, additionally improve the obvious pixel density for textual content and excessive distinction edges relative to first-gen panels and WOLEDs.
I used to be genuinely fairly impressed with the textual content readability on this 4K QD-OLED monitor, which presents the identical expertise as others utilizing this panel. The slight pink-green fringing you see on first-gen QD-OLED ultrawides, and to a lesser extent the 2nd-gen variants, is so much much less noticeable at this 140 PPI pixel density. As somebody that discovered the fringing points with preliminary QD-OLEDs extra noticeable than others, I would say it is virtually a non-issue right here and never one thing you may spot in on a regular basis utilization, even when utilizing the panel beside a conventional LCD with an RGB stripe subpixel structure.
Utilizing it alongside a 32-inch IPS LCD I believed the textual content readability and high quality from this QD-OLED was very comparable, maybe not fairly pretty much as good or equivalent to the IPS, however ok to fulfill me (and I feel I am fairly delicate to these things).
The textual content readability right here is sweet sufficient that we must always have the ability to use the AW3225QF at all kinds of scaling elements in Home windows. The default is 150%, however we sometimes use a 32-inch 4K panel at 125%, and that appears nice. Even at 100% scaling, textual content could be very readable and would not endure from artifacts which are overly bothersome. The smaller we go, the more difficult it turns into to match the efficiency of LCDs, however we would nonetheless acknowledge the usability at 100% scaling. All in all, we would say this 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel is the primary OLED panel we have used that gives textual content readability on par with an equal LCD.
For panel composition and coating, this presents the traditional Samsung QD-OLED panel expertise, which means it is shiny with an “anti-reflective” floor remedy. Though Samsung refers to this as a “third technology” QD-OLED panel, the composition seems equivalent to the 2nd-gen QD-OLED, which is a slight enchancment over the first-gen QD-OLED.
This implies the panel has the identical points famous in earlier QD-OLED critiques. In brighter environments the place gentle sources are in entrance of the show, the panel tends to mirror ambient gentle, elevating blacks to the purpose the place they seem considerably grey.
This diminishes one of many key benefits of an OLED, which is its deep blacks; they only will not seem as wealthy or deep in brighter circumstances, particularly in comparison with shiny WOLED panels. Normal reflection dealing with is respectable, so mirror-like reflections aren’t too extreme, although being a shiny panel, there’ll at all times be some seen reflections which worsen below brighter circumstances.
Nevertheless, the problems with the coating will be minimized by optimizing the location of sunshine sources within the room in order that lights are behind the show. The darker the setting, reminiscent of gaming in a dim or absolutely darkish room, the higher this QD-OLED panel performs, sometimes providing a wealthy, deep OLED black expertise. It is difficult to foretell whether or not this shall be a priority because it varies. We do discover it bothersome and one of many important points with QD-OLED panels, however in case you primarily sport at night time, it is much less of a priority. On the very least, it is one thing to contemplate.
It is also essential to notice that OLEDs typically aren’t the only option for desktop utilization, productiveness apps, and net searching as a result of they’re vulnerable to everlasting burn-in – and this new 4K QD-OLED is not any exception. Something with static content material, like toolbars or icons, displayed for an prolonged interval, as is frequent with desktop purposes, is liable to burning in.
Conversely, dynamic content material, like gaming or watching movies, is at just about no threat of burn-in, so there is not any want to fret in case you’re primarily utilizing an OLED for gaming. Even occasional desktop app utilization is manageable; it is extra about extended every day productiveness work that will result in burn-in, a topic we plan to discover quickly.
As for the burn-in guarantee, Alienware gives 3 years of protection, together with burn-in, in line with opponents like MSI and Asus. Nevertheless, Dell deserves recognition for being the primary to supply a burn-in guarantee for QD-OLEDs, which has inspired different manufacturers to do the identical. This guarantee presents some reassurance that you must have the ability to use the show usually with out worrying about burn-in, and if burn-in does happen, you can file a guaranty declare. However, we nonetheless advocate taking steps to reduce burn-in, reminiscent of hiding the taskbar, setting the show to show off after a brief interval of inactivity, and lowering static app utilization. This could assist extend the lifetime of your monitor past the 3-year guarantee interval.
Response Time Efficiency
When it comes to response time efficiency, it is unsurprising that this QD-OLED panel presents lightning-fast speeds, much like different QD-OLEDs we have examined. At its most 240Hz refresh fee, we’re seeing a 0.3ms common response time, which is extraordinarily quick and contributes to glorious movement readability. With no noticeable inverse ghosting, this Dell mannequin matches different OLEDs in velocity and surpasses any LCD on the similar refresh fee. You will additionally discover improved movement readability on the highest refresh fee in comparison with first-generation QD-OLEDs, due to the rise from 175Hz to 240Hz.
One of the best a part of how OLEDs perform is that efficiency is mainly equivalent in any respect refresh charges. This implies whether or not we’re testing at 240Hz, 120Hz or 60Hz, we’re nonetheless seeing a couple of 0.3ms response time common. LCDs sometimes get slower because the refresh fee decreases however this is not the case right here, so the AW3225QF presents a single overdrive mode expertise – with none overdrive settings in fact, as they are not required for an OLED.
There may be successfully no distinction in response time efficiency between this QD-OLED and different OLED displays. Because the AW3225QF boasts a excessive 240Hz refresh fee, we are able to guarantee when buying this show that its movement readability is superb. The numerous distinction lies between OLED and LCD. This Dell monitor is way sooner than the quickest LCD we have examined, marking a big benefit for OLED, particularly when contemplating common efficiency. Whereas LCDs are likely to decelerate at decrease refresh charges, OLEDs don’t, widening the hole between OLED and LCD expertise. For a extremely constant gaming expertise from a monitor, OLED is the unparalleled alternative.
It is also reassuring to verify glorious cumulative deviation outcomes, in line with most different OLEDs. As anticipated, this expertise delivers the identical response time efficiency as different QD-OLED ultrawides.
Enter latency is excellent, providing a sub-0.5ms processing delay in each the SDR and HDR modes. Mixed with quick response occasions and a excessive refresh fee, this OLED feels exceptionally responsive and is nicely suited to aggressive multiplayer titles, though the decision might restrict excessive efficiency ranges with out upscaling. That is as quick because it will get for a 4K monitor at current, although for excessive avid gamers, there are additionally the upcoming dual-mode 480Hz shows, 360Hz QD-OLEDs we’re about to check, and 540Hz LCDs available on the market at a 1080p decision – offering ample choices for these delicate to latency.
Energy consumption is on the upper facet when displaying a full white display, a state of affairs anticipated with OLED displays the place full white represents a worst-case state of affairs. The Dell mannequin’s energy utilization doesn’t considerably differ from that of Asus and MSI. Full white energy consumption is about thrice that of a contemporary, environment friendly 4K IPS LCD of the identical measurement, such because the LG 32GR93U, which isn’t best for productiveness work. Nevertheless, energy consumption varies primarily based on the Common Image Degree (APL), so typical utilization shall be extra within the 40-80 watt vary relying on the quantity of white displayed. Whereas nonetheless greater than at present’s finest LCDs, it isn’t excessively so.
Shade Efficiency
Shade House: Dell Alienware AW3225QF – D65-P3
The colour house provided by these new 4K QD-OLED panels is similar to earlier QD-OLEDs. We’re reaching 99.1% protection of DCI-P3, and 97.6% protection of Adobe RGB, each robust outcomes for work in these shade areas or for viewing HDR content material. Whole protection of Rec. 2020 is 78.9%, once more similar to earlier QD-OLEDs. This panel expertise boasts a notably greater shade gamut than WOLED, with a fair larger discrepancy in HDR shade quantity, which additionally elements in brightness at varied shade outputs. QD-OLEDs can sometimes obtain a lot greater brightness than WOLED when displaying extremely saturated colours.
Default Shade Efficiency
Manufacturing unit calibration on the AW3225QF is passable. In its default configuration, there may be minimal noticeable tint by way of shade temperature, and gamma is affordable, resulting in a deltaE ITP common of round 5.6. Nevertheless, like many gaming displays, the SDR mode doesn’t use an sRGB or Rec.709 gamut clamp by default, leading to oversaturation as content material is expanded to fill the monitor’s very extensive gamut. Whereas some might get pleasure from this impact, it isn’t significantly correct and may trigger points with pores and skin tones in movies, for instance.
In comparison with different displays, manufacturing unit grayscale efficiency is sweet, fairly much like the Asus PG32UCDM. ColorChecker efficiency is comparable among the many three 4K QD-OLEDs we have examined thus far, with outcomes affected in all instances by the comparatively extensive shade gamut of those QD-OLED panels.
sRGB Mode Shade Efficiency
Dell presents an sRGB mode via the Creator Mode, which permits number of the colour house and gamma. Setting it to sRGB with a 2.2 gamma is advisable, though there is not any possibility to regulate white steadiness on this mode, making it a extra restricted sRGB mode in comparison with the absolutely unlocked model on the Asus mannequin.
Nonetheless, the included sRGB mode could be very efficient. A grayscale deltaE of simply 2.37 is superb, with no notable white steadiness or gamma points. The gamut clamping can be very efficient, considerably lowering saturation and resulting in a deltaE beneath 2 in saturation sweeps. A ColorChecker deltaE common of two.96 is excellent for a gaming monitor and signifies Dell has invested effort in delivering a well-calibrated manufacturing unit mode.
In comparison with different displays the AW3225QF is correct up there with the most effective, together with the MSI 321URX and the AW3423DWF by way of grayscale efficiency. This mannequin can be robust in ColorChecker, delivering efficiency much like the opposite QD-OLED fashions able that sits proper up the highest of this chart. The Asus and MSI models are each barely extra correct however not to a degree the place you may discover in every day utilization.
Calibrated Shade Efficiency
Calibration will be improved barely via a full Calman cross, although for many customers I feel the sRGB mode shall be enough for SDR apps. Calibration on this method is extra helpful for people who want extensive gamut help, as it could actually tidy up issues there and with 99% protection of DCI-P3 you will get fairly good outcomes if you wish to work in that gamut, burn-in threat apart.
Most brightness within the SDR mode is in step with different QD-OLED displays at 239 nits for a full white picture. That is round 5% shy of the 250 nits claimed, however simply three p.c beneath what I noticed from the PG32UCDM and actually most of those displays are inside 20 nits of each other. This is not overly brilliant in comparison with LCDs, however I discovered it enough for desktop utilization in my nicely lit workplace. The Dell mannequin disables the automated brightness limiter by default within the SDR mode, so that is successfully an “at all times on” uniform brightness setting.
Nevertheless, what’s fascinating concerning the AW3225QF particularly is that Dell, in most show modes, seems to be completely enabling the “emblem detection” OLED care function we have seen on different displays. On the MSI and Asus displays, when this setting is enabled, typical brightness is decreased by 25 to 30 nits in most circumstances, nonetheless each displays will let you disable this setting and get 240 to 250 nits of brightness the entire time. On the Dell mannequin this is not the case, which means in a number of configurations actual world max brightness drops from 239 nits to about 210 nits.
There’s a workaround for this which is to make use of the Creator Mode, aka the sRGB mode, which seems to disable this doubtless emblem detection associated brightness drop and provides you round 240 nits the entire time. But it surely’s nonetheless not a really perfect state of affairs as a result of if you wish to use the opposite modes, you may be caught with decrease actual world brightness; Dell ought to in all probability supply extra adjustability to the OLED care options like we see from Asus and MSI. Minimal brightness is sweet at simply 25 nits, very enough for utilizing the show at night time.
I used to be very impressed with the viewing angles of this panel, they’re very extensive which makes it straightforward to view the show even at fairly excessive angles, it actually seems glorious. Uniformity was additionally superb with my unit, good and uniform viewing full white and no soiled display impact viewing darkish greys.
HDR Efficiency
The Alienware AW3225QF is a superb HDR show, due to OLED’s inherent {hardware} qualities which are completely suited to displaying HDR content material. The important thing function is that every particular person pixel is self-lit, permitting the show to precisely render every part from darkish shadows to brilliant highlights at a pixel stage. When the show wants to point out pure black, it could actually absolutely change off, offering the trademark wealthy zero-level blacks and deep shadows that OLED is famend for.
This contrasts with most HDR-capable LCD panels, which can’t be absolutely managed on the pixel stage. LCDs require a backlight, and for HDR shows, this sometimes entails the usage of full-array native dimming, a expertise that divides the backlight into zones.
Whereas OLED can flip off every pixel individually, LCDs with native dimming can solely flip off sure zones, encompassing a whole bunch and even 1000’s of pixels. This method can nonetheless successfully show HDR content material and look nice, nevertheless it has elementary flaws below difficult circumstances. As an example, when displaying a brilliant and darkish component shut collectively, an OLED can exactly management every pixel as wanted, providing a clear, correct distinction between brilliant and darkish areas.
In distinction, LCDs with native dimming should skillfully handle the zones to realize an identical distinction, and when the component is just too small or poorly positioned, the intense component can bleed into the darkish space throughout the backlight zone, creating undesirable blooming artifacts.
Due to this fact, OLED holds the benefit in displaying clear HDR content material with minimal blooming or haloing. In some scenes, this may be the distinction between elevated blacks and deep blacks, reminiscent of in starfields and Christmas lights. At occasions, OLED may supply a brightness benefit for small brilliant objects inside a darkish scene. Subtitles will seem cleaner on an OLED, with decreased blooming. Usually, OLEDs produce richer shadows because of their inherently greater distinction ratio.
Past brightness and shadow element, OLEDs boast extra benefits for HDR. With no backlight zones, OLEDs transition between brilliant and darkish extra quickly, with no seen zone transitions. They’re much much less vulnerable to backlight flickering, although gentle PWM conduct, particularly when utilizing a variable refresh fee, is frequent. Furthermore, OLEDs like this one don’t improve enter latency in HDR mode, as they needn’t course of a backlight zone algorithm.
Concerning HDR configuration, we should deal with the difficulty of Dolby Imaginative and prescient. There have been quite a few experiences regarding this monitor’s Dolby Imaginative and prescient mode being “bugged” – particularly, the mode being enabled when it should not be or being “caught on,” for instance, when enjoying regular HDR10 video games or utilizing the Home windows 11 auto-HDR function.
This situation is problematic as a result of viewing HDR10 content material in Dolby Imaginative and prescient mode results in incorrectly raised brightness because of inappropriate tone mapping. As an example, that is the EOTF curve for HDR10 within the Dolby Imaginative and prescient Sport mode, indicating considerably elevated brightness.
There’s additionally the Dolby Imaginative and prescient Darkish mode, which extra precisely tracks the EOTF however caps brightness at round 450 nits, not using the monitor’s full functionality of 1,000 nits. In both state of affairs, forcing HDR10 content material into Dolby Imaginative and prescient mode is suboptimal; solely real Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material ought to be seen on this mode, whereas HDR10 content material ought to make the most of the HDR10 mode.
The query is whether or not it is a bug and whether or not it is Dell’s fault. We have additionally seen GPU producers, e.g., Nvidia and AMD, blamed for this because of bugged drivers. Nevertheless, that is a type of peculiar conditions the place the monitor, on this case, the AW3225QF, is definitely functioning appropriately, and it is the fault of the supply machine.
The actual wrongdoer right here is Microsoft and the way they select to configure Home windows when a Dolby Imaginative and prescient show is related. What’s occurring is Home windows defaults to outputting a Dolby Imaginative and prescient sign on a regular basis, solely switching to an HDR10 sign in some unique fullscreen purposes. In all different conditions, like windowed apps or borderless windowed gaming, Home windows seems to output a Dolby Imaginative and prescient sign even when the content material is HDR10, reasonably than switching to HDR10 when the content material on the display is HDR10.
So, what’s occurring is Home windows is outputting a Dolby Imaginative and prescient sign when it actually ought to be outputting an HDR10 sign. That is appropriately handed via by the GPU drivers as Dolby Imaginative and prescient, and the monitor appropriately switches over to the Dolby Imaginative and prescient mode and shows the content material as Dolby Imaginative and prescient – as a result of Home windows is instructing it to take action.
The perfect state of affairs can be for Home windows to default to HDR10 and change to Dolby Imaginative and prescient output just for Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material, or it ought to change to an HDR10 sign output when HDR10 content material is on the display. This method is often how different supply units work, like Blu-ray gamers or media streaming containers; they at all times change modes to match the content material being performed.
The best way Microsoft is at present dealing with Dolby Imaginative and prescient in Home windows is flawed, in our opinion. They’ve struggled for years to correctly help HDR shows, so it is no shock to see this situation arising once more, however it’s inflicting issues for the AW3225QF and presumably future Dolby Imaginative and prescient displays. It is irritating as a result of utilizing different enter units is fairly seamless on this monitor; we had no points appropriately displaying HDR10 and Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material on our Nvidia Protect over HDMI as a result of it at all times switches to the right mode. On Home windows, it’s normal to come across this downside because of the shortage of real Dolby Imaginative and prescient video games on Home windows.
The workaround for this situation is a Dolby Imaginative and prescient toggle launched to the AW3225QF via a firmware replace just a few days in the past, model M2B103. This is not a lot fixing a bug within the firmware as it’s Dell offering a further function to workaround poor Dolby Imaginative and prescient configurations, like Home windows. You flip Dolby Imaginative and prescient off, Home windows would not acknowledge it as a Dolby Imaginative and prescient monitor anymore and sends a normal HDR10 sign as an alternative, and every part works nicely. After all, the draw back is that you’re going to want to show the toggle again on if you wish to use Dolby Imaginative and prescient.
Past this, there’ll have to be additional enhancements to the Dolby Imaginative and prescient PC ecosystem as extra displays ship with Dolby Imaginative and prescient help. Home windows wants to enhance the way it handles Dolby Imaginative and prescient and when it sends out HDR alerts, and we predict a software-side toggle to disable Dolby Imaginative and prescient passthrough – whether or not it is in Home windows or the GPU driver – can be a good suggestion. Nevertheless, we nonetheless consider offering Dolby Imaginative and prescient help is useful, because it ensures correct compatibility with the growing vary of dynamic tone-mapped content material, particularly TV exhibits and films from streaming providers. Proper now, one of the simplest ways to entry that’s via a media participant apart from a Home windows PC.
All of the Dolby Imaginative and prescient points apart, when the AW3225QF truly makes use of the HDR10 mode, the outcomes are superb. One of the best HDR mode is the Peak 1,000 mode, which gives as much as 1,000 nits of peak brightness on each Nvidia and AMD GPUs. This mode has good EOTF monitoring at a ten% window measurement, although rolloff happens a bit too early. At a 2% window measurement, EOTF monitoring is excellent, and common shade efficiency in HDR mode is above common, higher than the MSI mannequin, although not fairly as robust because the Asus mannequin.
Brightness within the HDR mode is successfully equivalent to different QD-OLEDs. Full display white hits 248 nits, 10% window brightness is 460 nits, and a couple of% window brightness reaches 1002 nits. We have seen this type of efficiency earlier than, no distinction to different 4K QD-OLEDs we have examined thus far.
Actual scene brightness was okay, coming in at 313 nits in scene 1, greater than the Asus mannequin however beneath the MSI mannequin. In scene 2 I recorded 807 nits which was round 100 nits beneath the opposite QD-OLED fashions, although in video games I noticed simply shy of 1000 nits of actual world brightness. In most areas I examined this monitor is able to comparable brightness to the opposite QD-OLEDs that I’ve examined which is as anticipated.
HUB Necessities Guidelines
The ultimate part of our evaluate is the HUB Necessities Guidelines 2.0. Within the first half, we’re assessing the accuracy of Dell’s spec sheet and in addition offering some extra data ourselves.
Usually, Dell does a superb job of promoting this monitor, other than the unrealistic response time numbers. Dell claims manufacturing unit calibration, and that seems true within the sRGB mode. Clearly, the monitor is able to true HDR, and the brightness specs (whereas restricted) are correct.
The second part is our function help matrix. It is no shock to see an OLED performing nicely within the movement and distinction areas, with many inexperienced ticks. We gave Dell a borderline consequence for brightness, as in some modes, it isn’t attainable to succeed in 250 nits, in addition to for flickering, as a result of we noticed some very minor OLED PWM flicker in a single sport we examined that wasn’t current within the MSI or Asus fashions. Dell additionally missed just a few key options, reminiscent of USB-C enter and energy supply, a KVM change, and the flexibility to disable DSC.
Nevertheless, it was encouraging to see some areas the place Dell excels. For instance, they’re the primary of the three displays we examined to really help Dolby Imaginative and prescient, compatibility points with Home windows apart. The sRGB mode could be very nicely calibrated, there is a strong burn-in guarantee, and textual content readability is superb for an OLED.
One other Glorious QD-OLED Gaming Monitor
Total, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF is one other glorious 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor. This does not come as a shock, given we had been additionally impressed with the MSI and Asus variants, and the Dell mannequin makes use of the very same panel expertise. But it surely’s reassuring to see that no matter which mannequin you select, you may be handled to a premium HDR gaming expertise.
The Alienware AW3225QF makes use of the identical QD-OLED expertise we have love during the last 18 months, providing elite response time speeds, 1,000 nits of peak brightness, and excellent HDR efficiency (together with just a few flaws), simply scaled as much as a brand new measurement and backbone.
We do not assume 4K gaming has ever seemed this good or clear.
We do not assume 4K gaming has ever seemed this good or clear. At 240Hz, this panel presents elite movement readability with loads of room for future PC {hardware} upgrades. Even at present, you’ll be able to entry the advantages of what this show presents at decrease refresh charges, the place QD-OLED nonetheless seems unbelievable.
Like different displays utilizing this panel, the Alienware is nicely suited to all forms of gaming. Aggressive multiplayer followers can benefit from the excessive refresh fee, low enter latency, and superb movement readability of this show whereas having the flexibleness to run at as much as a transparent 4K decision if they want. For single-player avid gamers, the wealthy deep blacks, per-pixel native dimming, and brilliant highlights all contribute to a shocking, high-resolution true HDR expertise – all whereas sustaining elite readability in movement.
The elevated pixel density brings big advantages for textual content readability and productiveness work as nicely, though there are nonetheless dangers related to utilizing an OLED for static desktop apps, one thing we’ll be exploring quickly. Dell is continuous to supply their 3-year burn-in guarantee for peace of thoughts, which is nice to see.
Dell has additionally saved tempo with different manufacturers in key areas of efficiency, tuning, and calibration. The sRGB mode supplied with this show is superb, and HDR accuracy was additionally robust with nice compatibility throughout GPU manufacturers. From a pure efficiency perspective, there’s little or no distinction between the three fashions we have examined thus far, so whichever method you go, you may be getting a unbelievable expertise, one thing we hardly ever see even when evaluating displays utilizing the identical panel.
Whereas there are many similarities, the Dell AW3225QF has notable variations, too, making it probably the most distinctive providing. The most important change is providing a curved panel as an alternative of a flat one, which may very well be both nice information or unhealthy information relying in your preferences. If you would like a curved monitor, the Alienware is the one alternative. Nevertheless, in case you desire a flat show at this measurement and side ratio, like we do, it is a important sticking level which may steer you elsewhere.
There are additionally different key function variations. The Alienware is the one one to help Dolby Imaginative and prescient proper now, though Asus has additionally promised help via a future firmware replace. That is each a blessing and a curse, given how Home windows handles Dolby Imaginative and prescient, although Dell has mitigated this. We consider this shall be a pleasant function to have because the Dolby Imaginative and prescient ecosystem continues to mature.
Alternatively, the AW3225QF doesn’t include a KVM change, USB-C show enter, or excessive ranges of energy supply, and it is the one certainly one of these displays we have examined thus far that options lively cooling. It additionally lacks the flexibility to disable DSC and has no black body insertion performance – all options out there with the feature-rich Asus PG32UCDM.
Primarily based on these variations, the curve, and some quirks with brightness and so forth, we would at present place the Dell monitor in third place out of the three variants we have checked out. This might sound a bit harsh as a result of it is nonetheless a superb gaming show. Nevertheless, the general bundle provided by MSI and particularly Asus is extra aligned with our preferences in a gaming monitor. Do be aware, it is actually that shut between the fashions.
It is also onerous to determine which strategy to go when factoring in value. At $1,200, the Dell is a mid-priced providing, with the MSI variant being less expensive at $950, nonetheless the clear standout. In Europe or Australia, nonetheless, the Alienware mannequin is notably cheaper. As an example, we are able to buy an AW3225QF proper now for about $1,900 AUD, versus $2,200 for the MSI 321URX and over $2,500 for the PG32UCDM.
We expect the pricing in Australia is honest, and it is actually good to see Dell providing extra affordable costs outdoors the US in comparison with MSI or Asus. However in relation to high-end displays, we perceive that some individuals would possibly select to spend no matter it takes to get the specs they need. If we had been already contemplating spending no less than $1,000, it would not appear that outrageous to spend an additional 15% to get the flat panel we desire with in any other case comparable efficiency. It is going to be a case-by-case foundation, although, and we positively would not rule out the Alienware mannequin given what it is providing.
Purchasing Shortcuts:
- Dell Alienware AW3225QF on Dell
- MSI MPG 321URX on Newegg
- Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDM on Newegg
- Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 on Amazon
- Asus ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD on Amazon
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