The Alienware AW3926QW features an LG RGB-stripe tandem OLED panel, making it one of only two ultrawide OLED monitors currently available with this advanced display technology. The same panel is also used in LG’s UltraGear Evo GX9. I recently tested the 27-inch Asus PG27UCWM, another impressive RGB-stripe OLED monitor, although it uses a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio instead of an ultrawide format. RGB-stripe OLED panels use an improved subpixel layout to deliver higher brightness, wider color coverage, and sharper text than conventional OLED displays.
Brightness is another major strength of the Alienware AW3926QW. In SDR mode, testing confirmed a maximum brightness of 300 nits, which is strong for an OLED gaming monitor. The display is rated for up to 1,300 nits of HDR peak brightness. While testing did not reach that claimed figure, the monitor achieved up to 1,011 nits—close to the upper limit of the brightest OLED monitors currently available.
The AW3926QW also delivers excellent color performance. Its color gamut covers 99% of DCI-P3 and 93% of AdobeRGB, matching the performance of many of the best OLED monitors on the market. Color accuracy was equally impressive. As a result, this monitor is not only well suited to gaming but could also meet the needs of many creative professionals working with photos, video, and other color-sensitive content.
However, the Alienware AW3926QW is not inexpensive, with a price of approximately $1,100. Even so, it costs considerably less than the LG UltraGear Evo GX9, which launched with an MSRP of nearly $1,800 and currently sells for around $1,600. So where did Alienware make the savings?
Photo: Matthew S. Smith
Connectivity is not where Alienware cut costs. The AW3926QW includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 input, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort 2.1 support and up to 90 watts of power delivery. Each video input can support the monitor’s maximum resolution and refresh rate.
The Alienware ultrawide monitor also offers a useful selection of downstream ports. There are three USB-A ports with data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, along with a USB-C port that supports the same data rate and up to 15 watts of power delivery. A 3.5mm audio jack provides an additional connection for headphones or speakers.
Where Alienware Cut Costs
Alienware’s lower price becomes more apparent in the AW3926QW’s design and build quality.
As noted in several previous reviews, Alienware’s current design language may feel too simple and understated for the brand. The AW3926QW lacks distinctive styling beyond its curved ultrawide screen, which is immediately visible but not especially unique. Even the curvature feels less striking because curved panels have become standard on most ultrawide gaming monitors.
Source: www.wired.com