In search of the best 1440p ultrawide monitor

[PackYourBaggins]

I just built a new PC, and the last thing I have left to upgrade is my display. I've been on a Dell 2560x1440p 144Hz monitor for a while and I really wanna go ultrawide. The 2 displays I had in mind initially were the MSI MPG 341CQPX and the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF. It seemed like either of these displays would have been great picks, but they both seem to have a common issue that I kinda don't wanna have to deal with: VRR flicker. I have a powerful system, but I don't think it'll be powerful enough to keep constant frame rates to where VRR flicker won't happen.

 

Would either of these displays still be my best options? I only play games on my system, so productivity doesn't really matter to me. I also don't really play competitive games, so the monitor doesn't have to have an insanely high refresh rate. My only real preferences are OLED or QD-OLED, 144Hz (minimum), 21:9, AMD-compatible VRR technology (I have 9070 XT GPU, and preferably around $1,000 or less. What are my best options?

[Stahlmann]

All OLEDs and pretty much all MiniLED monitors suffer from VRR flicker. Just like burn-in, it's a widely overblown issue and hasn't annoyed me ever since I switched my main monitor to a 4K OLED in 2022. And since it's 4K, I also don't have the GPU power to always keep it maxed out. VRR flicker mostly just happens during loading screens. Normal gameplay doesn't really bring the kinds of stutters that'd lead to VRR flicker.

 

So I'd still recommend that you get one of the QD-OLED ultrawides. The Dell AW3423DWF is still a great deal afaik.

[TheWutofWat]

Samsung G9 OLED? no?

[PackYourBaggins]

On 4/25/2025 at 4:55 AM, Stahlmann said:

All OLEDs and pretty much all MiniLED monitors suffer from VRR flicker. Just like burn-in, it's a widely overblown issue and hasn't annoyed me ever since I switched my main monitor to a 4K OLED in 2022. And since it's 4K, I also don't have the GPU power to always keep it maxed out. VRR flicker mostly just happens during loading screens. Normal gameplay doesn't really bring the kinds of stutters that'd lead to VRR flicker.

 

So I'd still recommend that you get one of the QD-OLED ultrawides. The Dell AW3423DWF is still a great deal afaik.

Yeah after doing some research I think I'm decided on the Dell monitor. It's people love that monitor and it's reviewed well. I think I have my sights set on that one.

[PackYourBaggins]

21 hours ago, TheWutofWat said:

Samsung G9 OLED? no?

For one, the G9 is a bit too big for me. I just want 3440x1440. And also, I do NOT wanna go with a Samsung monitor. I've done a little research on them, and there's too many common issues that seem to spring up with them. Could I roll the dice and maybe get a good one that doesn't give me issues? Sure, but I think it's safer to go with someone else. Initially I was looking at the G8, but reading some reviews made me reconsider. I also have a friend with the G9, and he hates it. So no Samsung for me, no matter what. Love their SSDs though.

[TheWutofWat]

1 hour ago, PackYourBaggins said:

For one, the G9 is a bit too big for me. I just want 3440x1440. And also, I do NOT wanna go with a Samsung monitor. I've done a little research on them, and there's too many common issues that seem to spring up with them. Could I roll the dice and maybe get a good one that doesn't give me issues? Sure, but I think it's safer to go with someone else. Initially I was looking at the G8, but reading some reviews made me reconsider. I also have a friend with the G9, and he hates it. So no Samsung for me, no matter what. Love their SSDs though.

LG has some options then, they have similar specs to the G9 OLED and have smaller ones too, also check if other brands are also using LG panels or Samsung QD-OLED panels (just make sure u get something nice like a 240hz one)

[Stahlmann]

On 4/26/2025 at 8:26 PM, PackYourBaggins said:

For one, the G9 is a bit too big for me. I just want 3440x1440. And also, I do NOT wanna go with a Samsung monitor. I've done a little research on them, and there's too many common issues that seem to spring up with them. Could I roll the dice and maybe get a good one that doesn't give me issues? Sure, but I think it's safer to go with someone else. Initially I was looking at the G8, but reading some reviews made me reconsider. I also have a friend with the G9, and he hates it. So no Samsung for me, no matter what. Love their SSDs though.

I have never seen as many monitor issues as with the Samsung Odyssey series. I can't recall any brand ever having a worse QC reputation. I wouldn't roll that dice. I've seen reports of Samsung declining returns even though the monitor is faulty. So only buy a Samsung monitor if you know you can easily return it through Amazon or something like that.