Alienware Rolls Out More Affordable 34-inch QD-OLED WQHD Gaming Monitor

Dell really putting the pressure on the newcomers to the qd oled scene to beat their pricing.  Samsungs version price leaked in europe is around 1700eu which is in todays market 1700us.  MSI vapor ware going have to try and beat 1100.  

The DWF appears to be an upgrade with more features but a downgrade in VRR from Gsync to Free Sync. The Gsync Ultimate is a huge Nvidia tax while nice but also handcuffed the DW in data output, fan noise, and a wider chassis.  Now DWF is thinner and allows console game 120hz refresh rates.  Case only come is black.

HDMI 2.0.  smh.

Almost identical in specifications.

AW3423DW = Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate compatible, Lunar Light bezel, DP 1.4 3440x1440 175Hz

AW3423DWF = AMD FreeSync Premium Pro compatible, Dark Side of the Moon bezel, DP 1.4 3440x1440 165Hz

@DELL-Chris M  user firmware upgradable I hope?

I doubt that Alienware would deviate from past attitude about monitor firmware just for the AW3423DWF. None of the other 17 models were provided with public released firmware updates.

AW2518H
AW2518HF
AW2521H
AW2521HF
AW2521HFA
AW2521HFL
AW2521HFLA
AW2523HF
AW2720HF
AW2720HFA
AW2721D
AW3418DW
AW3418HW
AW3420DW
AW3423DW
AW3821DW
AW5520QF

Ok. I was hoping they would because competitors in this segment do offer user upgradable firmware.

Why let users upgrade awful firmware when you can deal with shipping replacement with months-long delays instead?

Dell is the King of spending dollars to save cents. 

Don't forget you have to say a prayer while waiting, to improve your chances of getting a display replacement that has the upgraded firmware...

...and even if you do get the updated firmware, disabling the popups also disables the automatic pixel/panel refresh so you'll likely end up with burn-in.

Looks like this model has user upgradable firmware. About time...

Decisions, decisions, lol.

AW3423DWF, . firmware
Fixes & Enhancements
1. Fixes loud fan noise after prolong use

I have been having a pretty frustrating experience trying to get HDR looking right on the recently released AW3423DWF. I have been enjoying the monitor very much outside of this, but it's unfortunate nonetheless. 

Basically, my problem is that HDR seems to work beautifully in some games, but horrible in others. Games like Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, Death Stranding, Jedi Fallen Order, Resident Evil 2/3/8, all seem to display their HDR modes in a very washed out and almost gray image on the AW3423DWF. Even HDR video files in VLC player seem to not look right (with Windows HDR turned on). 

I have tried just about everything. Turning Windows HDR on and off, reinstalled Nvidia drivers, tried different cables, RGB limited and full, switched RGB to YcbCr, 8bit and 10bit color, deleted Windows HDR calibration app profiles. None of it seems to work. 

Anyone else experiencing this, or have any ideas on what else I could try to maybe fix it? I tried posting this as a thread but kept getting error messages, unfortunately. I have some pictures of the issue here:

. TOS76>

Just bit the bullet and ordered one. Hopefully it arrives in perfect condition.

Interesting article on Linus Tech Tips that talks a bit about the famous firmware "issue" with the original DW version. I grabbed the DWF version.

Things are clearer now as to why they choose to go with AMD Freesync Premium Pro, and why you need a special tool to upgrade the firmware on the DW version.

Also touches on color accuracy and why the DWF is just a hair more accurate than the DW version.

LTT Acticle