Battle of the 34" Ultrawide QD-OLEDS

[Drazek]

Apologies if this has already been discussed (I didn't find a thread).

We have 4 different models of the new 34" Ultrawide QD-OLED monitors to choose from:

Alienware DWF - no HDMI 2.1 (meaning 8bit 165hz, or 10bit 144hz) no idea why 165hz instead of 175hz. - £880
Samsung G8 - Too expensive also some ppl have 'issues' with it? - £1,300
MSI MEG 342C - build quality on the outside "looks cheap, lots of low quality plastic" - price rumoured to match the Alienware, under £1,000?
Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 - £1,150 - no HDMI 2.1 (meaning 8bit 175hz, or 10bit 144hz)

So which one would you go for and why?

 

[Drazek]

World first QD-OLED monitor from Dell and Samsung (34 inch Ultrawide 175hz)

First models are 34 inch ultrawide QD-OLED panels with 175hz refresh. Both Dell and Samsung have announced a new gaming monitor with this panel Specs: 34 inch Ultrawide, 3440x1440 @ 175hz 10bit QD-OLED panel. 0.1ms response time, 99.3% DCI-P3 and 1 million:1 contrast ratio, 1000nits peak...

forums.overclockers.co.uk

I've sent this link because that is where all the discussion for the Samsung, Dell, MSi and as yet Philips is/and has been discussed. I have contributed a fair amount. Have a look and hopefully comment on there mate. I would give my views but I'm too busy right now apart from this note.

Heya! - that thread is eye wateringly huge lol...
I'll try reading through it, but I'm still interested in people's top level thoughts and choice of these 4 ;D

 

[Drazek]

This should be one of your main options to choose from from price alone. But it lacks in build audio (but the price saved should be able to get you some decent speakers)



This one is the high price one that you want to keep an eye on, however, it's HDMI 2.1 connection is through a mini adapter, so you can't just plug in your consoles just like that. And some users do not like the apps that are preinstalled on the monitor, but that is down to each persons preference, so you may like it compared to others.



Er, no. Definitely, NO. The rumored price? No where NEAR the Alienware in price. Think £1350+, as it's being priced at 1400Euro. But it has terrible placement of it's RGB bar at the bottom of the panel where it can cause undisired light reflection towards the user. So far, nothing about it is superior to the Samsung other than supposedly full HDMI 2.1 ports that are normal HDMI ports and not through a mini-port.



Yeah, this one is priced too high. Everyone will go Alienware DWF unless if the speakers on the monitor is worth £300 more for you. Then by all means go for it. But there is very few instances that would be the case to be honest.



If HDMI 2.1 connectivity is important for you, it will be the Samsung. Otherwise, the price of the Alienware DWF should be your automatic choice, but you will need to source your own audio output with them. But to be honest, any external audio is always going to be better than those found on a monitor, and for much less than £300 too. But again, that'll depend on your preferences and circumstances.

thanks for your opinions
I'm also leaning towards the Alienware - I have bose speakers and a steelseries pro wireless headset so Audio is no concern for me (who uses monitor audio anyway?)
It sucks that the panel doesn't have HDMI 2.1 - so you can't benefit from the full 10bit 165hz... but tbh, 10bit 144hz is going to be plenty close enough imo?

 

[Drazek]

So i've been offered a £45 discount on the monitor through my company account with Dell... problem is, from experience, when you order hardware through B2B you dont benefit from standsrd consumer rights such as the 14 day refund policy...

If i found a single dead pixel on this monitor i would be looking to have it replaced, and i would be able to utilise the 14 day refund clause if they tried to give me a refurbished unit or refused to replace then monitor... i wouldnt get this benefit through the company account... so i don't think i want to risk it just for a £45 discount.