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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your top priority and budget is not a concern, the Asus XB273U F with its superior total response time and strobing features offers an excellent gaming experience. However, if you're looking for a balance between gaming performance and productivity without spending as much, the Dell Alienware AW2721D provides good gaming capabilities and satisfactory performance for daily tasks. Neither monitor is best suited for HDR gaming and media consumption, so if those are crucial for you, you might want to consider alternatives. For digital photo editing, the Asus stands out due to its better coverage of color gamuts, making it suitable for precision work. 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 XB273U F (IPS)
- Good for casual gaming
- 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 XB273U F (IPS).
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
8.0
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
5.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good.
Cost
$1,100
$902
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) has a price of $1,100 and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) costs $902.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
7.0
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
96.1 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
71.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus XB273U F (IPS) to be good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
6.7
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.3
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
788 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus XB273U F (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $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 | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1242:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 488 nits | 474 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 468 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 | 99.6 % | 136.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.4 ms | 7.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 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 | Matte | 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 | 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
Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
See more
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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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Why trust us
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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Monitors evaluated
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Monitors stats compiled
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Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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