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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-resolution work and photo editing, the Asus PA279CRV with its 4K resolution and excellent color reproduction makes it a strong choice for productivity and digital photo editing. However, for a smoother and more responsive gaming experience, especially in competitive settings, the Dell Alienware AW2721D with its higher refresh rate and lower response time will be superior, albeit at a premium price. The Asus is not the best for HDR gaming or media consumption due to its limited brightness, whereas the Dell, with better brightness and contrast, provides a fair experience but still may not satisfy the most demanding HDR content enthusiasts. 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 Asus PA279CRV (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
98.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Asus PA279CRV (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
8.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
17.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
48 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Asus PA279CRV (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
7.9
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PA279CRV (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$469
$902
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PA279CRV (IPS) has a price of $469 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA279CRV (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.6
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PA279CRV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CRV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CRV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CRV (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 Asus PA279CRV (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA279CRV (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$469 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 920:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 376 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 436 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 | 99.3 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 60 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 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 | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Asus PA279CRV (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"The ASUS PA279CRV is an excellent value 4K IPS monitor for color-critical work involving sRGB, Rec.709, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces. On top of that, it features rich connectivity options, a robust design and plenty of additional features."
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
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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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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Monitors evaluated
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Recommendations made
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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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