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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is a top priority and you're looking to save some money, the Asus PG27AQN would be a solid choice with its highest refresh rate and quick response time, which reduce motion blur for a smooth gaming experience. On the other hand, if you're also into digital photo editing and you don't mind spending more, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers better color performance which could be beneficial for those tasks. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR video editing, but both will handle casual gaming, productivity, and media consumption adequately. Keep in mind that a higher price doesn't necessarily mean a monitor is better for all uses. 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Asus PG27AQN (IPS).
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
8.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
5.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.7
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
92.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.5
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Asus PG27AQN (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
Cost
$949
$902
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) has a price of $949 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQN (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $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 | 974:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 414 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 644 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 | 98.5 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.6 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Matthew Smith | March 2023
"The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN is a motion clarity marvel. It’s the first 27-inch 1440p 360Hz monitor on the market, and also the first to use an Ultrafast IPS display. These advancements provide outstanding motion clarity across a broad range of refresh rates. Unfortunately, the monitor’s motion clarity does nothing for its image quality, which is just ok. To be clear, it’s a very nice looking monitor in many situations. However, the monitor’s contrast ratio is rather low. And while it can reach high levels of brightness in HDR, it lacks the nuance and contrast required to look great in HDR games."
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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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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