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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a monitor that excels in gaming and media consumption, especially if you're interested in high dynamic range (HDR) content, the CoolerMaster GP27U could be the better option. It offers high brightness, good contrast, and supports a wide color gamut, making it suitable for HDR gaming and print photo editing. However, for productivity tasks, the larger screen and the ultrawide aspect ratio of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW could be more advantageous as it provides more screen real estate for multitasking. Keep in mind that the Alienware, while more pricey, may not perform as well in HDR content due to its lower brightness and contrast capabilities compared to the CoolerMaster. 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 CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED)
- Very good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Very good for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
- Very good contrast
- Very good brightness
- Very good color volume
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has no clear advantages over the CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
8.0
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
160Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1072:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
697 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
1550 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is very good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.9
4.5
160Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
6.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 160 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
697 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
9.8
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
8.0
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1072:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
697 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
1550 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) 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 CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Cost
$770
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) has a price of $770 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | MiniLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 576 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1072:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 697 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 1550 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 | 95.1 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.2 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 160 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 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 | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
CoolerMaster GP27U (IPS MiniLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2023
"The Cooler Master Tempest GP27U leaves little to complain about. It delivers a stunning picture with high contrast, brightness, and vivid color. Professional-grade video processing means a superlative gaming experience. And it’s a little less expensive than the competition."
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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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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