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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're prioritizing cost and still want a solid gaming experience, the Asus PG279QM is a more budget-friendly choice that offers great competitive gaming performance. However, if you're willing to invest more for a brighter display that enhances visuals, the Dell Alienware AW2721D might be worth the extra cost, though it doesn't significantly surpass the Asus in gaming capabilities. Both monitors have similar resolutions and screen sizes suitable for gaming and everyday productivity, but the Asus might be a better option for digital and print photo editing due to its wider color gamut coverage. Neither are ideal for HDR gaming and media consumption. 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 PG279QM (IPS)
- The Asus PG279QM (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS).
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Good brightness
Key differences
Cost
$749
$902
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.4
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
95.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
8.0
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
7.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both very good for competitive gaming.
Productivity
6.4
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (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 PG279QM (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG279QM (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $902 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1147:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 363 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 478 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 | 103.1 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 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
Asus PG279QM (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2022
"The Asus ROG Swift PG279QM is one of the best gaming monitors I’ve reviewed, and one of the best all-around displays too. With perfect video processing, smooth gaming performance and tons of rich and accurate color."
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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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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