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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on digital photo editing tasks, the Asus PA279CV with its very good text quality and image clarity is a more budget-friendly option, while still offering high-resolution output on a 27-inch screen. However, if you're willing to invest in a larger, immersive screen for casual gaming and media consumption, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW provides a wider, 38-inch curved display which can enhance the gaming and viewing experience, but at a higher price. Keep in mind that for competitive gaming, neither of these monitors is ideal due to their limited refresh rates, response times, and absence of advanced gaming features like high dynamic range (HDR) gaming compatibility. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good brightness
- Good response time
Key differences
Productivity
7.9
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$399
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) has a price of $399 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
80.6 %
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 Asus PA279CV (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
4.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
17.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
48 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
6.6
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (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 Asus PA279CV (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA279CV (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 376 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 436 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 | 99.3 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 60 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 AW3821DW (IPS)
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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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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Monitors stats compiled
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Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
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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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