The Alienware AW3418DW gaming monitor is one other ultrawide show that provides immersive gameplay experiences by filling the participant’s peripheral imaginative and prescient with an elongated, 21:9 side ratio. 

Whereas most trendy screens and widescreen TVs have a side ratio of 16:9, a 21:9 side ratio means the display is loads wider on the horizontal airplane. This further visible actual property doesn’t simply profit video games, as a wider display may also help productiveness as properly, permitting you to have much more open home windows than traditional.

Nevertheless, with the Alienware model, it’s no shock that the AW3418DW is a gaming monitor before everything, and it goes up towards the likes of the AOC Agon AG352UCG and  LG 34UC79G-B, two incredible screens which have made it onto our best gaming monitor record.

So, with some fairly stiff competitors, let’s see how the Alienware AW3418DW performs.

Worth and availability

Alienware is a model that’s usually related to premium costs, and with ultrawide gaming screens not often coming low-cost, it might come as little shock that the Alienware AW3418DW is an expensive monitor, with a $999 value (£1,100, AU$2,099).

In comparison with the AOC Agon AG352UCG’s value of $899 (£799, round AU$1,200), it is a far costlier proposition. That may very well be a little bit of a difficulty for the Alienware, as – on paper – the AOC provides a barely bigger display measurement (35-inches), together with lots of the identical options, reminiscent of G-Sync (excessive refresh charges for smoother gameplay) and a three,440 x 1,440 decision. 

So, the AW3418DW has to show the additional cash is price it within the efficiency division.

One factor that the Alienware AW3418DW has that its rivals don’t, and which can make the excessive price ticket worthwhile, is its capacity to be overclocked to a 120Hz refresh price, making it quicker than its rivals.

Design

One of many primary issues Alienware merchandise are recognized for (other than their excessive costs), are the glossy and attention-grabbing designs that embrace gamer aesthetics with out being too over-the-top and garish. So, coloured LEDs, metallic shades and sharp angles are all current and proper, however there’s additionally a, let’s consider, ‘maturity’ in regards to the design meaning it’s a handsome gaming monitor, with out offending anybody’s tastes.

As a result of measurement of the display, the Alienware AW3418DW is available in a really massive field. Fortunately, as soon as opened, it’s simply put collectively with out the necessity for any instruments. This makes setup a lot simpler, and the nonetheless feels good and durable.  As soon as arrange, the display will be simply adjusted to make it extra comfy to make use of.

The skinny bezels across the display, particularly the highest and backside, means the monitor isn’t taking over wasted area – however, keep in mind that it is a massive monitor, and it’ll dominate just about any desk you place it on. The stand, constructed from metallic-coated plastic and that includes the Alienware emblem in numerous locations, does take up fairly a little bit of area on the desk as properly, extra so than the stands we’ve seen on different ultrawide screens.

The again of the monitor is silver, with one other Alienware ‘alien head’ emblem that lights up, and some extra LED strips. Total, the design right here is sort of good and, when you’re not a fan of the LED lighting, you may flip it off utilizing the onscreen menu.

Again to the entrance, and there’s a easy, but alluring, line of textual content in the course of the underside bezel that merely says ‘Alienware’. Alongside the bottom-right aspect of the display are the buttons that management the onscreen menu, together with the facility button (which is lit up with an LED, which you’ll change the colour of, like the opposite LED lights on the monitor).

There aren’t any icons or hints of what every button does on the bezel, which retains issues trying neat and tidy. However, that may result in confusion when attempting to make use of the buttons to undergo the menu choices. Fortunately, Alienware shows the icons for what every button does when the onscreen menu seems (which occurs when any of the buttons are pushed), making issues a bit simpler.

Connection-wise there’s an audio-in jack, DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.four, a USB upstream port (for connecting to your PC), and two USB three.zero ports, permitting the monitor for use as a USB hub. There are one other two USB three.zero ports on the underside of the display, together with a headphone jack. If you happen to prolong the display to the highest of the stand, these ports are a lot simpler to entry than those on the again, so we commend Alienware for the intelligent placement.

Total, the Alienware AW3418DW is a really properly designed gaming monitor that sticks near the feel and appear of different Alienware gadgets. When you have an Alienware Aurora R6 desktop gaming PC, for instance, this monitor will praise it extremely properly. Even when you don’t personal another Alienware stuff, the design is adequately subtle to slot in with PCs and peripherals.

Efficiency

One of many first belongings you’ll discover once you load up a sport and start taking part in on the Alienware AW3418DW, other than the immersive side ratio that fills your imaginative and prescient, is simply how gloriously easy gameplay is. That is because of the 100Hz refresh price and G-Sync expertise, which supply excessive body charges with out display tearing. The outcomes are outstanding. 

For many avid gamers, going again to a monitor with out G-Sync will likely be an actual battle.

Whereas 100Hz is a better refresh price than many commonplace screens (which often max out at 60Hz), it’s not fairly the very best refresh price attainable for G-Sync screens, that are able to as much as 240Hz. Nevertheless, it’s fairly commonplace for 21:9 screens, with the LG 34UC79G-B and AOC Agon AG352UCG each providing 100Hz refresh charges.

The Alienware AW3418DW has an ace up its sleeve, nevertheless, with an overclock setting that ups the refresh price to 120Hz.

The bounce from 100Hz to 120Hz is fairly noticeable. When overclocked, the motion onscreen turns into extremely smoother. In taking part in Wolfenstein II, which maxes out at 100Hz, and Name of Obligation: WWII, each at 100Hz and 120Hz – in each video games, the efficiency of the Alienware AW3418DW impresses. 

The bounce from taking part in at 60Hz to 100Hz actually is spectacular, and it’s one thing that you really want to expertise your self. Every part feels rather more easy and responsive, particularly with fast-paced motion. Going again from 100Hz to 60Hz will be very jarring, virtually just like the character you’re taking part in as is wading by way of quicksand.

Going as much as 120Hz can be noticeable. When you have the to manage – we performed with an Nvidia Titan Xp graphics card, permitting us to whack graphical settings to the max whereas sustaining these excessive refresh and body charges – you’ll actually see the distinction. 

We’re not exaggerating after we say it is a sport changer.

You too can allow a quicker response time utilizing the on display menu, selecting between ‘Regular’, ‘Quick’ and ‘Tremendous Quick.’ The concept is that the quicker the response time, the much less lag there’s. So, there’s much less time between the actions you make along with your mouse and keyboard and the way your character strikes on the monitor.

Whereas it is a welcome choice to have, we discover that placing the response time to ‘Tremendous Quick’ provides a component of ghosting on display. This manifests itself throughout video games with a faint gray define throughout quick motion. 

We additionally discover it outdoors of gaming and through, for instance, looking web sites the place the outlines seem round footage and textual content when scrolling. It’s a minor criticism, and it may be remedied by setting the responsive time to ‘Regular’, and even ‘Quick’. However, for us, the advantages aren’t price it. The response time of the Alienware AW3418DW (4ms) needs to be low sufficient for most individuals anyway.

As we’d count on from a G-Sync panel, there aren’t any situations of display tearing when taking part in. Total, video games look superb on the display, and there are sufficient choices so that you can tweak the monitor to get your required efficiency.

The Alienware AW3418DW additionally provides you the choice of overlaying the frames per second (FPS) rely within the top-left hand nook of the display, which is useful if you wish to see how properly your is performing. There are sufficient helpful options like this for avid gamers that assist justify the Alienware AW3418DW’s excessive price ticket.

So far as commonplace picture high quality goes, the IPS (in-plane switching) panel of the Alienware AW3418DW does a superb job, although some individuals could discover it a bit brilliant at its default setting. Fortunately, the onscreen menu is straightforward sufficient to make use of that tweaking the settings takes no time in any respect, and there’s an honest variety of pre-set configurations to assist as properly. 

The IPS panel additionally provides very vast viewing angles, which is fairly important for an ultrawide monitor (particularly a curved one), with colour accuracy holding up in each a part of the monitor.

Total, we discover the Alienware AW3418DW to be a superb gaming monitor with regards to efficiency, with excellent picture high quality. Additionally, when overclocked to 120Hz, that is the quickest ultrawide monitor at present in the marketplace. That will simply be sufficient to justify its costlier price ticket in comparison with its rivals.

Remaining verdict

There’s loads to love in regards to the Alienware AW3418DW. It’s massive, with the 21:9 side ratio actually serving to to immerse you in your video games. This may additionally provide you with a aggressive edge in that you just see extra of the battlefield than your rivals.

It’s additionally quick, with an overclocked refresh price of 120Hz, making it a speedier ultrawide than any of its rivals. If you happen to’re searching for the quickest 21:9 monitor in the marketplace, there’s just one alternative: the Alienware AW3418DW.

G-Sync assist (there’s additionally a model that helps AMD’s competing FreeSync commonplace), is the icing on the cake, making video games much more of a pleasure to play on this display.

Then, there’s the design. We’re very taken with the understated, but nonetheless simply identifiable, aesthetics of the Alienware AW3418DW. It’s clearly a gaming monitor, however it doesn’t beat you over the pinnacle with a brash design. As a substitute, it leaves its (wonderful) display to do the speaking.

Nevertheless, there are some facets of the Alienware AW3418DW that we aren’t too keen on, however fortunately these have been simply out numbered by what we preferred. 

The excessive price ticket is clearly one among them. Ultrawide screens are by no means low-cost, however the Alienware AW3418DW is a good bit costlier than its rivals. If you happen to’re acutely aware of you finances, then the AOC Agon AG352UCG is a worthy alternative. 

Nevertheless, when you’re keen to pay a premium for the quickest ultrawide monitor in the marketplace, you then’ll need to shell out for the Alienware AW3418DW. You gained’t be dissatisfied.