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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your priority, the Asus XB273U F, with its higher refresh rate and shorter response time, would enhance your gaming performance. Conversely, if you prefer a larger, more immersive display for productivity and media, the wider screen and higher resolution of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW may be more appealing, even though the refresh rate and response time are less suited for competitive gaming scenarios. Both offer good color accuracy, but the Asus edges out with a slightly better color gamut coverage, which could be beneficial for digital photo editing. Keep in mind, both are premium monitors, so your investment is towards higher quality regardless of choice. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Asus XB273U F (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.0
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
96.1 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
9.5
4.5
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
5.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,100
$749
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) has a price of $1,100 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.7
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.3
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) 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 XB273U F (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus XB273U F (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $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 | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1242:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 488 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 | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.6 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.4 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 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 | Matte | 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 | 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 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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