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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a large, immersive display with exceptional contrast and color quality for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) would be beneficial despite the higher price. However, if you're looking for a monitor with a more traditional aspect ratio that still offers good image quality and is better suited for a variety of tasks like casual gaming, productivity, and media consumption, while saving money, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) could serve you well. The choice hinges on whether the additional investment in the Asus aligns with your specific desire for cutting-edge display technology and ultrawide gaming experiences. 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 PG49WCD (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.8
6.0
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
413 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
98.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.4
4.5
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
0.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
48 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
413 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.7
6.6
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
108 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.6
6.2
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
413 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,026
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) has a price of $1,026 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) 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 PG49WCD (QD-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG49WCD (QD-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,026 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 49" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-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 | 413 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 468 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 | 99.9 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.03 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 144 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 108 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.6/10 | 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 | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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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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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