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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a top-notch gaming experience with better contrast and response times, the Asus PG27AQDM with its OLED panel is a solid choice for both casual and competitive gaming, especially for games that support HDR, given its excellent performance in those areas. However, keep in mind that its text clarity and productivity performance isn't as strong. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers a larger screen and widescreen format which is better for productivity tasks and provides an immersive experience for media consumption, although it doesn't perform as well in HDR gaming. Its IPS panel also offers wide color gamut coverage which is good for photo editing tasks, but it doesn't match the contrast performance of the Asus. 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 PG27AQDM (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Excellent response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
963 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.6
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
162 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
963 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$899
$1,099
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) has a price of $899 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $1,099.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$899 | $1,099 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
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 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 162 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 963 nits | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.8 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 | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 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 PG27AQDM (W-OLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2023
"It’s hard to find any fault with the Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM. Yes it’s expensive, but it’s incredibly good. With a stunning image and next-level video performance, it’s one of the very best gaming monitors I’ve ever reviewed."
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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