Dell Reveals Alienware 34 Curved Monitor: WQHD IPS with 120Hz G-Sync
by Anton Shilov on August 20, 2019 12:30 PM ESTDell this week has introduced its new top-of-the-line curved gaming display, the Alienware 34. The new AW3420DW monitor resembles its predecessor from 2017, with the same resolution and G-Sync functionality, however it builds upon that with a greater display brightness, a different design, and features an IPS panel with Nano Color technology.
The Alienware AW3420DW is the company’s latest flagship display that is based on an IPS panel featuring a 3440×1440 resolution, 350 nits brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a 120 Hz native refresh rate, a ‘fast’ GtG response time, a 1900R curvature, 178°/178° vertical/horizontal viewing angles, and NVIDIA’s G-Sync technology.
The key difference between the new Alienware 34 curved monitor model AW3420DW and its predecessor (AW3418DW) is a brand-new IPS panel boasting Dell's "Nano Color" technology, which allows the monitor to cover 98% of the DCI-P3 and 134.5% of the sRGB color gamuts. By contrast, the previous model only covered 99% of the sRGB gamut.
When it comes to connectivity, the display has one DisplayPort 1.2 input and one HDMI 1.4 port, a quad-port USB 3.0 hub (with one upstream port) as well as 3.5-mm audio connectors.
Being aimed at gamers, the Alienware AW3420DW has AlienFX RGB lighting with four zones. It also has an adjustable stand.
Alienware's 34" Curved Displays | |
AW3420DW | |
Panel | 34" IPS |
Native Resolution | 3440 × 1440 |
Maximum Refresh Rate | 120 Hz overclocked |
Response Time | Fast |
Brightness | 350 cd/m² |
Contrast | 1000:1 |
Viewing Angles | 178°/178° horizontal/vertical |
Curvature | 1900R |
Pixel Pitch | 0.233 mm |
Pixel Density | 109 ppi |
Anti-Glare Coating | Yes |
Color Gamut | 134.5% sRGB 98% DCI-P3 |
Dynamic Refresh Rate | NVIDIA G-Sync |
Inputs | 1 × DP 1.2 1× HDMI 1.4 |
USB Hub | 4-port USB 3.0 hub, one USB Type-B upstream port |
Audio | audio in/out ports |
Power Consumption | Idle: 0.3 W Typical: 58 - 110 W |
RGB Lighting | AlienFX programmable RGB LED lighting |
Launch Price | $1499.99 |
The Alienware AW3420DW will be available on August 28 and will carry a $1,499 price tag.
Related Reading:
- Alienware Announces AW3418DW and AW3418HW Ultra-Wide Curved Displays
- Dell’s UltraSharp U3818DW Now Available: Curved 37.5”, 3840×1600, USB-C, $1499
- Lenovo at CES 2019: 43.4-Inch Curved Monitors for Gaming and Work
- LG to Demo UltraWide 38-Inch 144Hz Gaming & 49-Inch Workstation Displays at CES
- ASUS Demonstrates ProArt PA34V Professional Curved UWQHD Display with TB3
Source: Dell
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quiksilvr - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
I understand HDR isn't everything but they couldn't even get DisplayHDR 400 for this thing? Furthermore its 120 Hz OVERCLOCKED. It isn't even standard. What is up with this monitor?willis936 - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
It’s the same feature set + WQHD instead of 1440p, but coming out 3 years later and costing 300% more. It has LEDs though. What’s the problem?Moizy - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
LolHxx - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
Its most likely the same lg panel as in the 34gk950f/g so native 120 because of the old gen gsync module limiting this otherwise native 144hz display to only 120hz. If you check out the lg model it will all make sense. This is just “Dell’s version” just like the 2017 Alienware was. As far as pricing it will not stay at 1.5k not when the LG variant is priced at less than 1kthestryker - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
I'm assuming the IPS is the reason the brightness is low. Also there's no HDMI 2 so it wouldn't be passing HDR across anyways.TFTCentral is reporting the panel on this is 144hz and is artificially limited (like the LG 34GK950G) to 120hz due to the g-sync module.
The real question I have, and always have since regular ultrawides dropped in price, is why they carry such a high price tag when the value doesn't seem to be there.
edzieba - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
If you've not got a FALD backlight (or using OLED), then any 'HDR' rating is quite simply not actually HDR. HDR = High Dynamic Range, and without zoned backlight modulation or a change in panel technology you simply do not have any more dynamic range than every other SDR monitor.I'd give kudos to any monitor manufacturer who does NOT claim to support HDR on panels that it is evidently impossible to.
imaheadcase - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
Its a IPS monitor, hardly any panels go past 120Hz so pretty standard for it. HDR is not a big selling point to most people..being IPS is probably reason for it.Pricing is always different than what dell quotes. My last dell monitor like the one shown was $1300, and it was literally listed on dell website a week later for $899. This might be like that.
lilkwarrior - Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - link
HDR is not a big selling point to most people? I have to strongly disagree there. That's more important than resolution consistently with consumer behavior studies. It's actually common knowledge.For a monitor not that big, it's far easier and hardly a deal breaker to skip IPS for a panel more capable of HDR.
imaheadcase - Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - link
Its not a big selling point, evident by the fact the sales are not great on them and the common "i don't see much of a difference" from shoppers. I mean its just looks like the brightness is turned up on a monitor is all..kinda silly gimmick.Aegrum - Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - link
$1499 for this panel seems grossly overpriced, especially given the dull brightness spec. Its predecessor the AW3418DW can be had for half the price with nearly the same feature-set.