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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and have a higher budget, the AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) offers top performance with its high refresh rate and superior contrast, which enhances dark scenes. However, for a balanced monitor that's often significantly less expensive, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) provides a good all-around experience for casual gaming, productivity, and media consumption with decent color performance, though it may not excel in high-end gaming scenarios or deliver the deep blacks of OLED. The Dell is also suitable for productivity tasks thanks to its better text clarity and image clarity. 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 AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.6
6.0
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
98.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
6.0
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
0.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
48 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
3.8
6.6
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
83 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 AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) is poor.
Cost
$1,400
$749
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) has a price of $1,400 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The AOC AG456UCZD (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.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
5.9
6.2
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) 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 AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| AOC AG456UCZD (W-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,400 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 44.5" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3440 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 | 200 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | Unknown | 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 | 0.03 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 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 | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 83 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 3.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 4.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 3 | 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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