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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value a larger screen size and better suitability for tasks like digital photo editing and print photo editing, the Acer XB323U-GX is a strong option despite its higher price. However, if you're looking for a balance between cost and performance, with good gaming capabilities and image clarity, the Dell Alienware AW2721D may offer a better value. It is less expensive and still performs well in competitive gaming and media consumption. Both monitors have a high refresh rate for smooth gaming but keep in mind the trade-off between price and additional professional features when making your choice. 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 XB323U-GX (IPS)
- The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS).
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
95.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.3
8.0
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
8.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
48 - 270 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.4
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,147
$902
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) has a price of $1,147 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,147 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 16 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1000:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 400 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 173.4 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 8 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 270 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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 | 1 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Chris Stobing | July 2021
"If cost isn't an issue and you want a gaming monitor that will give your content all-new life for years to come, the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor defines the upper echelon of what gaming monitors do best today. This display does everything the HP Omen X 27 tried to do, but does it a whole lot better for just a slight bump in price. If you're choosing between the two, the Alienware is the clear winner, and that story repeats itself again and again no matter which 1440p contender we put the Alienware 27 up against."
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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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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