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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If exceptional image clarity and color accuracy are crucial for tasks such as digital photo editing or enjoying high-dynamic-range content, the Asus PA27DCE with its OLED technology excels, also offering deep blacks and wider viewing angles. However, for a blend of gaming, productivity, and media consumption without the higher cost, the Dell Alienware AW2721D provides a faster refresh rate and very good competitive gaming performance. It's less suitable for HDR content but still offers good general performance. If budget is a concern and gaming a priority, consider the Dell; for top-tier visual quality and professional work, the Asus might be worth the investment. 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 PA27DCE (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good for media consumption
- Very good image clarity
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.6
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
99.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
8.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
0.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
8.4
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
200 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,999
$902
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) has a price of $1,999 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.6
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 PA27DCE (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) 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 PA27DCE (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA27DCE (W-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,999 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
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 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 200 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | Unknown | 788 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.1 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 10/10 | 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 | 6.9/10 | 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 | 3 | 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
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
See more
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.
By the numbers
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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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