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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is a concern, the Asus VG28UQL1A offers a high-resolution gaming experience at a lower price, and it also provides better text clarity, which is great for productivity. However, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW, with its wider screen and superior color gamut, excels in immersive gaming and media consumption. It also offers better performance in digital and print photo editing, making it well-suited for creatives. Keep in mind, though, the premium price tag reflects this monitor's broader capabilities. So, for gaming and general use at a more affordable rate, the Asus is a strong choice, while the Dell is geared towards a luxurious gaming, media and creative experience. 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 VG28UQL1A (IPS)
- Good for casual gaming
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.2
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
90.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
6.1
4.5
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
48 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
8.8
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
157 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$611
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) has a price of $611 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (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 VG28UQL1A (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$611 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 28" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1000:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 350 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 | 82 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1 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 | 9.6/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 157 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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
Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | March 2022
"The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is, in many ways, a great 4K gaming monitor. It has a sharp, accurate image with good contrast and excellent motion clarity. Luminance uniformity is its only weakness. The monitor’s $799 MSRP is relatively affordable for a 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor, as well."
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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