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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're heavily into competitive gaming and want a monitor with a faster response time that could give you an edge in fast-paced games, the BenQ XL2566K is a great choice, but it's not ideal for tasks requiring accurate color reproduction, like photo editing. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers a much larger and sharper screen that enhances productivity and is suitable for casual gaming and media consumption. However, this comes at a higher price, and it might not be as responsive as the BenQ when it comes to competitive gaming scenarios. 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 BenQ XL2566K (TN)
- Excellent for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
4.5
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
6.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
6.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 96.5 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 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 | 91 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 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
BenQ XL2566K (TN)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Nick Ross | August 2023
"It’s not for everyone in the same way that a top fuel dragster isn’t everyone’s perfect daily driver. The BenQ Zowie XL2566K succeeds in delivering the fastest, sharpest and smoothest display for pro FPS players and that’s all it wanted to do. Its other limitations and premium price tag mean it’s a bespoke tool for a niche market, rather than another general gaming monitor for those who like playing 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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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.
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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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