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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your top priority, the Acer X27U with its outstanding refresh rate and total response time will enhance your play. However, for productivity and a wider screen real estate for multitasking, the Dell Alienware with a larger display and higher resolution would be more suitable. The Acer excels in HDR gaming and media, thanks to its higher contrast and HDR brightness, but the Dell covers more of the sRGB color gamut, making it better for digital photo editing. Neither is ideal for HDR video editing. For general media consumption and higher-resolution content, the Dell’s ultrawide aspect ratio may also provide a more immersive experience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer X27U (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
95.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.8
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Acer X27U (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,000
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) has a price of $1,000 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer X27U (W-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | W-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 211 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 603 nits | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The Alienware AW3821DW isn’t perfect, but right now, it’s the best value in 38-inch ultrawide gaming monitors. It delivers a solid gaming experience with a bright and saturated image that’s color-accurate. With premium styling and build quality, it’s sure to satisfy gamers looking for a jumbo display."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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