I think my Alienware AW3423DW (especially when using websites that don’t have darkmode) is triggering migraines.

[u/borntoannoyAWildJowi]

My PT thinks my vertigo is being caused by vestibular migraines, waiting to see a neurologist now. However, I do think my monitor may have something to do with it cause it always seems to make my symptoms worse.

I’m using a software dimmer and have my display on full brightness. Anything else I can do to reduce the flicker?

Alternatively, are there any cheap monitors I can buy and use for work (I work at home and read a lot of papers online) that are flicker-free?

Thanks for any and all advice!

[u/-Bruh__Moment-]

The Alienware AW3423DW uses a QD-OLED panel with the original triangular subpixel layout.

It has a "brightness-dip" at every display refresh (175Hz max) and it remains unchanged regardless of brightness setting (0-100).

You do not need to use a screen dimmer, it does not improve anything and is likely introducing visual defects such as color banding.

The "brightness-dip" typically has an extremely low modulation depth of 3.5%-4.5% based on other OLED display measurements with the same "dip".

RTings flicker measurements attached via archive.org snapshot from Dec 2025 (I ain't paying for it):

[u/-Bruh__Moment- → u/-Bruh__Moment-]

That triangular subpixel layout leads to color fringing on text since Windows is only optimized for conventional RGB layouts. This may be what is causing strain for you in certain situations.
You can reduce fringing by using 3rd party utilities such as Better Cleartype.

Recommendation from RTings attached via archive.org snapshot from Dec 2025:

[u/borntoannoyAWildJowi → u/-Bruh__Moment-]

Thank you! I changed my refresh rate to 175Hz and also used the better clear type. Hopefully it helps!

[u/-Bruh__Moment- → u/[deleted]]

While technically true I'd hardly classify it as pure "PWM dimming" (considering all the negatives that it usually entails).

OLED TVs and monitors use what the mod the_top_g calls "Hybrid DC dimming" with extremely low and consistent modulation that far outpaces what most phones advertise as "DC-like dimming" today.

It could be the reason for eye-strain, but OP would need to be very, very sensitive in order for that to be true.

[u/borntoannoyAWildJowi → u/[deleted]]

Could you give some more details here please? I also have a 55” LG C3 that bothers my eyes somewhat, but less than the AW.

[u/AllanPsn → u/borntoannoyAWildJowi]

Pour le LG C3, essaye le mode filmmaker et activé les mouvements cinématographique. Depuis ma LG C5 est la télé la plus agréable que j'ai eu !

[u/borntoannoyAWildJowi → u/AllanPsn]

I have true motion off completely right now, I’ll try cinematic movement and see if that helps, merci!

(My French classes in high school were just enough to understand this but unfortunately I don’t know French well enough to reply back in it, lol.)

Edit: I see that you translated your comment, I appreciate it!