Dell S3422DWG Curved Gaming Monitor Review
The gaming monitor market is flooded with options, making it challenging for gamers and professionals alike to find the perfect screen that meets their needs. Enter the Dell S3422DWG, a 34-inch curved gaming monitor that promises to elevate your gaming experience with its impressive features. This review explores the monitor’s specifications, performance, design, and overall value.
Key Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Screen Resolution: 3440 x 1440 (WQHD)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Curvature: 1800R
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Connectivity: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 (4 ports)
- Weight: 21.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 9.8 x 31.81 x 20.76 inches
- Country of Origin: China
- Warranty: 3 Year Advanced Exchange Service
Display Quality
Clarity and Resolution
The Dell S3422DWG boasts a WQHD resolution of 3440 x 1440, providing 34% more pixels than standard QHD. This results in sharp, crystal-clear images that enhance gaming and productivity alike. Users have consistently praised the screen’s clarity, especially when playing visually demanding games or editing high-resolution photos and videos.
Curved Design
With its 1800R curvature, the monitor wraps around your field of vision, offering an immersive experience. The 21:9 aspect ratio is particularly beneficial for gaming, as it allows for a broader view of the action, making it easier to spot enemies in first-person shooters or enjoy expansive landscapes in open-world games.
Performance
Refresh Rate and Response Time
One of the standout features of the S3422DWG is its 144Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for fast-paced gaming. This feature allows for smooth motion and reduces blur during intense scenes. Many users have noted the swift and responsive gameplay, making it an excellent choice for competitive gamers.
AMD FreeSync Technology
The inclusion of AMD FreeSync premium technology is another significant advantage. It eliminates screen tearing and stuttering, providing a seamless gaming experience. This feature has been particularly appreciated by gamers, who value a stutter-free experience during high-action moments.
Design and Build Quality
Aesthetics
The monitor features a sleek black design with ultra-thin bezels on three sides, minimizing distractions and creating a modern aesthetic. Its robust build quality gives it a premium feel, and while it is primarily made of plastic, it does not feel cheap or flimsy.
Ergonomics
The S3422DWG provides adequate adjustability, allowing users to tilt and height-adjust the monitor for optimal viewing comfort. This is a crucial feature for long gaming sessions or extended work hours.
Connectivity
The monitor is equipped with a variety of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and four USB 3.0 ports. This selection allows for easy connectivity to multiple devices, making it versatile for both gaming and professional use.
User Experience
Color Accuracy
Many users have highlighted the monitor’s impressive color accuracy, making it suitable for tasks like photo and video editing. The display performs well in HDR settings, providing vibrant colors and excellent contrast ratios.
Gaming Performance
For gamers, the Dell S3422DWG delivers exceptional performance across various titles. Users have reported smooth gameplay at high settings, and while some noted challenges in achieving maximum frame rates in ultra settings, the overall experience remains satisfying.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional resolution and clarity
- Immersive 1800R curvature
- High refresh rate (144Hz) for smooth gaming
- AMD FreeSync technology for tear-free gameplay
- Impressive color accuracy, suitable for editing tasks
- Versatile connectivity options
Cons
- Some users may find the size overwhelming initially
- HDR performance, while good, may not compete with higher-end models
- Limited height adjustment options compared to some competitors
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
After considering the various aspects of the Dell S3422DWG Curved Gaming Monitor, it earns an impressive 4.5 out of 5. This monitor stands out for its stunning display quality, excellent gaming performance, and sleek design, making it a worthy investment for gamers and professionals alike. While it may have a few shortcomings, they are largely overshadowed by its many strengths, making it one of the best options in the curved gaming monitor market today.
Whether you’re diving into the latest AAA title or working on creative projects, the Dell S3422DWG is designed to meet and exceed expectations, providing a phenomenal viewing experience.
Tech Guru –
This monitor truly lives up to its reputation. After using it for just over a month, I couldn’t be more satisfied. Priced between $500 and $600, it’s an excellent investment. I recently upgraded from a 1440p BenQ gaming monitor, and the difference is significant.
I was searching for a monitor that could deliver color accuracy for my MacBook while also enhancing my Series X gaming experience. It’s challenging to find a model that excels at both, but this one stands out. The color gamut is impressive and very precise straight out of the box, complete with a calibration report. While using a monitor calibrator isn’t necessary, it does allow for even finer adjustments if desired.
The range of ports is excellent, the on-screen display is user-friendly, and the brightness exceeds expectations—especially when compared to other LED gaming monitors. The HDR performance is superior to others in this category (HDR 600). Overall, the panel delivers sharp visuals and outstanding picture quality for any activity. The matte finish is just right; it doesn’t compromise picture quality like some other models.
I tested the BenQ EX3210U and a comparable LG monitor, and this monitor clearly outperformed them for several reasons, even though the BenQ claims to offer wider P3 gamut coverage.
While OLED monitors may offer better quality, they belong to a different price bracket—often double the cost of this one. Additionally, this monitor boasts a sleek design without flashy elements, making it suitable for professional environments.
In summary, I highly recommend this monitor, especially if you need versatility beyond gaming and require color accuracy. It avoids the burn-in issues associated with OLED, provides a fantastic gaming experience for consoles, features a refined design, and includes a three-year replacement warranty from Dell. At this price point, it’s undoubtedly the best value available.
CARLOS –
I must admit, I had my doubts about this monitor. After watching countless videos and reading numerous reviews, I decided to give it a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised. The monitor has a sturdy plastic build and is quite large, which gives it a premium feel. The matte screen effectively handles reflections, and while it’s 144Hz—which isn’t the highest—it performs well when trying to run ultra settings. With my RTX 3070, I can exceed 144Hz on less demanding games, but with AAA titles, reaching even 100fps at ultra settings can be challenging. However, the image quality and sharpness make you forget that you’re not at the top of the “PC MasterRace.” Here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion: If you’re looking for an ultrawide 1440p monitor with good color representation, brightness, and contrast—without being “impressive”—this is an excellent buy. It’s a solid middle ground between gaming performance and visual quality. Your graphics card plays a significant role; ideally, you need at least an RTX 3070 to handle this monitor well. If your setup is less powerful, it may be better to opt for a conventional monitor, as this one shines when playing at native resolution with everything on ultra settings.
Christopher –
This 34-inch ultrawide monitor is hands down one of the best VA panels I’ve ever owned. Once I calibrated the colors, the performance was outstanding. I haven’t experienced any smearing in dark areas, unlike some users have reported. Whether at 144Hz, 120Hz, 60Hz, or 30Hz, the response time is incredibly fast. I also have three other ultrawide monitors, including an Asus 34 ultrawide VA that boasts 165Hz, but this Dell outperforms it easily, even at 144Hz. The difference between 144Hz and 165Hz is barely noticeable. I also own an LG UltraGear IPS at 165Hz, and I can confidently say that this Dell 34 is the best choice. The IPS struggles with blacks, appearing more gray, and definitely isn’t worth $1,200—nor even $700 on sale. I was fortunate to snag this for $399, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get into ultrawide or wanting an upgrade.
Cory L –
This screen is fantastic for gaming! The resolution is incredible, and the screen quality is outstanding!
AJ –
I’ve recently purchased the Dell G3223Q, a 32-inch 4K monitor, to pair with my 2024 Mac Mini Pro, and it’s a fantastic value for under $500. Coming from the Apple iMac 27-inch 5K display, I specifically wanted a monitor without built-in speakers since I use desktop studio audio speakers. The G3223Q offers a range of selectable resolutions and color settings, and I find the colors to be quite accurate. While it’s marketed as a gaming monitor, I’ve primarily used it for desktop tasks. I appreciate the advertised 144 Hz refresh rate for gaming, especially since most 4K monitors max out at 60 Hz.
As a non-technical user, I’ve been experimenting with different resolutions in Apple’s System Settings/Displays, and I prefer the 3008 x 1692 resolution over the default 3840 x 2160. The 3008 x 1692 setting appears sharp and provides a good balance for application sizes on screen. However, I’m uncertain if I will stick with it, as the highest refresh rate available at that resolution is 120 Hz. In contrast, at 3840 x 2160, I can enlarge Safari web pages easily (using Command +), which effectively matches the 3008 x 1692 size while allowing more monitor space for other applications. Ideally, I’d like all my applications to be larger to avoid straining my eyes with smaller fonts. Overall, the monitor’s versatility is a plus.
One drawback to consider is Dell’s decision to include an HDMI 2.0 cable with the monitor, despite its advertised HDMI 2.1 capability. This is somewhat perplexing, as to achieve the full specs of 4K and 144 Hz, an “Ultra Fast” HDMI 2.1 cable is required. I ended up purchasing a quality HDMI 2.1 cable from Crutchfield for about $20, as my 2024 Mac Mini Pro supports HDMI 2.1. While the provided HDMI 2.0 cable may work adequately, I found no noticeable differences in resolution or refresh rates when switching between the two cables. When I contacted Dell to address this issue, they acknowledged that the included cable is not 2.1 and stated that they were working through their inventory without offering a replacement, despite selling the correct cable on their site.
Despite this minor inconvenience, I am very satisfied with the Dell G3223Q monitor overall and would happily purchase it again. It performs well for both gaming and desktop use.
Mr. Boston –
I recently bought this monitor from Amazon, making it my third purchase of this model—not because the others went bad! I wanted to share my thoughts on it right away. Although I’m not a gamer, I believe I’ve put it to the test in other ways. At a sale price of $472, getting 4K resolution at 144Hz is a fantastic deal. I use it for video and photo editing, as well as watching 4K movies, so I’m quite particular about quality. The colors, blacks, and clarity are excellent in my opinion. I have plenty of experience with various monitors, including this same model in both 2K 32-inch and 27-inch versions, and I’ve consistently upgraded because I’m so satisfied with them. I will say that the first time you try a 32-inch monitor, it can feel a bit large, but once you get used to it, you won’t want to go back to smaller sizes.
Cory L –
I decided to switch from my 2K monitor to this one, and the difference is quite noticeable. My previous monitor was VA, and moving to IPS has made the colors much more vibrant and the overall display looks better. This monitor has impressed me with its various options, and the 280Hz refresh rate is fantastic. The interface is easy to navigate thanks to the joystick. You won’t regret this purchase!
Christopher –
I already owned a Dell ultrawide and wanted side monitors that matched its height. I’m pleased with the response time, brightness, and color accuracy. These monitors offer good value for gaming at this price point.