Alienware is working on a fix for the one thing that stops its new 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor from being perfect. The company’s monitor expert told Reddit that a firmware update adding a toggle for the panel’s edge-dimming feature is in development.
The AW3926QW is a massive 39-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 5120×2160 pixels. It uses LG’s latest Tandem WOLED panel, which features RGB-stripe subpixels for color purity. The monitor costs around $1,100, making it relatively affordable given its specs. The reviewer called it “undoubtedly my favourite monitor of the moment, maybe even ever.”
There is one problem. During gaming, the edges of the panel gradually dim ever so slightly, a phenomenon known as vignetting. The fix could hurt your wallet.
The Problem With CPC
The vignetting is caused by a feature called CPC, or Convex Power Control. It is an LG Display WOLED panel protection feature that dims all four edges of the display to help prevent burn-in. The reviewer explained in their review that the issue “during gaming the edges of the panel gradually dim ever so slightly.”
The reviewer speculated that CPC dims the edges during gaming specifically to minimize the extent to which persistent in-game screen furniture and UI elements like status bars, minimaps, and so on can be permanently burned into the panel after extended gameplay. They wrote that the issue “can’t be toggled on or off on this Alienware, but if CPC is causing the vignette issue, it should be easy to address in a firmware update.”
Broadly, the reviewer did not think this was a hardware limitation but a configuration issue. That assessment turned out to be correct.
Alienware Confirms a Fix Is Coming
During a recent AMA on Reddit, Alienware’s monitor expert Kris Graft revealed that a solution is in the works. Graft said, “We hear the feedback on uniformity and are actively testing a potential toggle that could give customers more control over uniformity. We want to make sure we understand the full customer experience implications before we enable anything. More to come soon.”
Graft appears to be saying that Alienware is planning a firmware update that will add a toggle for CPC in the AW3926QW OSD menu. The possible catch is what Graft was hinting at when he said, “We want to make sure we understand the full customer experience implications before we enable anything.”
The implications likely involve OLED burn-in and its increased likelihood with CPC disabled. Turning CPC off might accelerate the risk of permanent image retention on the panel.
What the Toggle Could Cost You
The reviewer’s slight fear is that the CPC toggle might affect the panel’s burn-in warranty. The toggle might void that warranty, or there might be a counter recording how many gaming hours with CPC toggled off have accrued, with a trigger point that eventually voids the warranty.
That is speculation. We will have to wait and see exactly how Alienware deals with this. For now, it is simply good news that the “vignette” problem has been recognized by Alienware and that it is working on a fix.
The Monitor’s Full Specs
The AW3926QW is a 39-inch OLED monitor with a 5120×2160 resolution, which means it has the pixel density of a 32-inch 4K panel. The panel is LG’s Tandem WOLED technology, complete with RGB-stripe subpixels for purists. The reviewer called it “relatively affordable (given its specs) at around $1,100.”
The Reviewer’s Ranking
The reviewer’s own ranking of monitors includes several other options:
| Position | Category | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best overall / 4K | MSI MPG 322UR X24 |
| 2 | Best budget 4K | Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG |
| 3 | Best budget OLED | Alienware AW2726DM |
| 4 | Best 1440p | MSI MPG 271QRX |
| 5 | Best budget 1440p | KTC H27T22C-3 |
| 6 | Best 1080p | AOC Gaming C27G4ZXE |
| 7 | Best Ultrawide | Gigabyte MO34WQC2 |
| 8 | Best budget ultrawide | Koorui 34E6UC |
| 9 | Best competitive | KTC 25M1 |
The reviewer has been writing about technology and PCs since the 90nm Netburst era.
What Happens Next
Alienware is actively testing the toggle now. Once the company understands the full customer experience implications, the firmware update should roll out. The timing is not specified, but Graft said “more to come soon.”
For anyone who owns the AW3926QW, the takeaway is simple: the issue has been heard, and a fix is coming. Whether the toggle arrives this month or waits for a later update, the path forward is clear.
The reviewer’s closing judgment is that the recognition of the problem by Alienware and the work underway to fix it is itself good news. The monitor remains a standout product, and the vignetting issue was the only thing standing in the way of a full endorsement.
The firmware update will either resolve the edge dimming or give users the choice to disable the protection feature themselves. Either way, Alienware has shown it is listening to its customers.
The question of the warranty remains open. Until Alienware confirms how toggling CPC affects coverage, buyers should treat the toggle as a convenience rather than a guarantee. But the core issue is being addressed, and that is the most important step.
The AW3926QW is a remarkable monitor. Its 39-inch OLED screen, pixel density, and affordable price point make it a standout product in a crowded market. The vignetting issue was a genuine concern, but Alienware’s response shows a willingness to address configuration problems through software updates rather than ignoring them.
For now, the verdict is provisional. The monitor earns a strong recommendation based on everything but that one flaw, and the company is actively working to remove the flaw entirely. When the firmware lands, the reviewer’s full endorsement will be justified.
The wait for the toggle is the only remaining obstacle.
Source material: “Alienware is working on a fix for the one thing that stops its new 39-inch 5K2K OLED gaming monitor from being perfect,” PC Gamer.
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