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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Asus PA279CV excels in productivity and digital photo editing with its high-resolution screen, making it a solid choice if you prioritize tasks like graphic design or need many details on-screen. However, if you are a competitive gamer, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers a much better gaming experience due to its higher refresh rate and very good response time, which reduce motion blur and improve game fluidity, but it comes at a premium price. The Dell's lower resolution might be less sharp, but it is still suitable for most gaming and general use. Neither monitor is ideal for high-end HDR gaming or video editing due to limitations in peak brightness and color gamut. 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 PA279CV (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
80.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Asus PA279CV (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 PA279CV (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 PA279CV (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$399
$902
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) has a price of $399 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA279CV (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 PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (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 PA279CV (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA279CV (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $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 | 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
Asus PA279CV (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | April 2022
"Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account. It edges out alternatives like the BenQ PD2720U and Dell S2722QC in brightness and contrast without giving up ground on connectivity or menu options."
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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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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