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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on competitive gaming, the Asus PG279QM offers a higher refresh rate, which ensures smoother gameplay, making it a strong choice. However, if you prefer a larger screen with higher resolution for an immersive experience in productivity tasks and media consumption, and you're willing to spend more, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW would be better suited for you. Although neither is ideal for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Asus is well-suited for digital and print photo editing due to its strong color reproduction, while the Dell offers a wider screen, which might be more appealing for multitasking during productivity work. 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)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.4
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
95.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.4
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
Cost
$749
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (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 PG279QM (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG279QM (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 363 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 478 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 | 103.1 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 AW3821DW (IPS)
See more
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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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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