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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Asus PG27AQN is more budget-friendly and excels in competitive gaming thanks to its higher refresh rate, which leads to smoother visuals during rapid movement, making it a solid choice for intense gaming sessions. However, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers a larger screen and wider aspect ratio which enhances immersion for productivity and media consumption, as well as providing more screen real estate for multitasking. It also has better color coverage for sRGB content, so it's a better fit for digital photo editing. Both are fairly comparable for casual gaming and basic media consumption, but the additional cost of the Dell Alienware may be justified by its superior screen size and enhanced visual workspace if those features align with your needs. The choice depends on whether you value high-performance gaming or a larger screen and better color accuracy for work and leisure. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Asus PG27AQN (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.7
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
92.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
9.5
4.5
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
5.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$949
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) has a price of $949 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG27AQN (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG27AQN (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (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 AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQN (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $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 | 974:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 414 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 644 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 | 98.5 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.6 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
See more
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 AW3821DW (IPS)
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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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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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