AW3426DW

I'm at 34" 1440p and I think it is *fine* (and I probably will get it again with the Aw3426DW), but I really wouldn't want my PPI to go any lower.

awesome write up, thank you! I also got my first oled around the same time, but I went for a 55in BX. I used it as a 2nd monitor briefly for the launch of Cyberpunk, but I didnt have a gpu with hdmi 2.1 at the time so I was limited to 4k60 frames for a long time. Tempted by the 30 series GPUs a few times in covid but glad I waited and got a 4090 at msrp! Ended up playing more high refresh games on a 1440 IPS monitor. Then I got into ultrawide with a VA 3440x1440 model cause I was still to gun shy about OLED as a primary PC monitor. The ghosting was getting so bad in certain games I really wanted an OLED ultrawide bad and was holding out hope for 5k2k oled for a long while, but was disappointed by the 800r curve of the 45in last year so I decided to grab an MSI QD oled 240hz model on a real nice price match at best buy. Its nice but felt like a side grade still with 3440x1440 again. I landed a new job with a big paybump this past month and said fuck it and splurged on the 39gx950b and LOVING IT. Theres seriously zero text fringing, I dont think anyone can really use the sub pixel layout as an argument for which is better. Some people like more color volume some want more brightness. I actually appreciating the matte coating in my bright room, the glossy MSI panel had real problems playing early in the morning and I would sometimes wait till nighttime to play I think the built in AI upscaling will be worth it in the long run, I got some consoles hooked up and my switch 1 was looking very crisp! To me that makes the LG win against the new alienware RGB stripe panel with all other things coming down to personal preference. Sure the price is a lot nicer on the dell but I'm enjoying 5k2k NOW with one of my fav game series ever forza horizon 6, Japan looks gorgeous!

The 3840x1600 38” AW3821DW was the best size and resolution but alas, no OLED... I had to make a choice and even with an RTX 5090 I went for a Dell 3440x1440p 240Hz OLED. I really don't care to chase more pixels. Why chase pixels I can't even see at arm's length that greatly reduces the Hz? If/when I want to go nuts pushing pixel I just use VR. But on a relatively small 39" monitor it's not worth it. If you're going to chase 5k, do it on the 45" LG. At that size it actually makes sense.

I freakin loooovvveee both of mine. I started with the 180HZ VA ASUS TUF 34” at ~$330 at home. I wanted to see if I would like the ultra wide and loved it. Saved up a few months planning for the Alienware OLED 34” and the 240hz version came out, lucky me. I now have the ASUS at work with a matching 27” TUF monitor. The VA panel never had an issue for me with high FPS and smearing. Maybe I am not so sensitive but I love the monitor. Tons of adjustment with the OSD. Both my 34” monitors were picked mainly off their curvature. I do not like the aggressive 800r curve on the LG and the Samsung models were worse value compared to my current two at the time of purchase.

As an owner of a \- 45 5K2K \- 27 1440 480hz \- 34 1440 240hz (all oled) I'm a firm believer that once you reach that 165-180hz range, everything past that is so negligible to even be noticeable for 99% of people and not worth the investment. I've tried both Overwatch and Rivals, one running on the 45 at 165 and the identical game running on the 480 right next to it and honestly even if you're super cognizant of it, its basically nothing. And thats with both of them being driven to max settings with a 5080 and 5090 respectively. its nowhere near the notable jump going from 60 to 120+. The pixel fidelity difference is way more noticable and something you'll be more cognizant of imo. I would have already gotten rid of the 480 monitor if it didn't happen to be a great companion from a size standpoint to the 45 main. For your second question, my hot take is that the 45 is oversized for a monitor and basically a TV on your desk. I find myself constantly turning my head just with the two monitors. My endgame setup will be that 34 5K2K oled panel rumored flanked by two 4k 27s on each side. All the PPI for productivity, while still having the singular focused 21:9 monitor for gaming, without being oversized. Either that or a 57 G9 if they ever make an OLED version.