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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Acer XB323U-GX, with its higher refresh rate, is better suited for competitive gaming, offering a smoother and more responsive experience. However, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW has a larger and wider screen which provides an immersive experience for media consumption and may also enhance productivity with more screen real estate. Both monitors are great for digital photo editing due to their high sRGB color gamut coverage. If budget is a concern and your focus is on casual gaming, media enjoyment, and productivity, the Dell could serve you well. Choose the Acer if competitive gaming is a priority and you're okay with the extra expense. 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)
- Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.3
4.5
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
8.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
48 - 270 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
4.8
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
91 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 XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.4
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,147
$749
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) has a price of $1,147 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
95.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,147 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 400 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 660 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 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 8 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 270 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 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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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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