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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on competitive gaming and watching a budget, the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) offers a very high refresh rate and good performance at a somewhat lower cost compared to its counterpart. However, if you're willing to invest more for the best HDR gaming and media consumption experience, then the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) offers superior image quality, contrast, and colors, but with a slightly lower refresh rate, which is still quite high, and not as suitable for highly detailed productivity tasks due to its curve and aspect ratio. Consider the AW3423DW if immersive visual quality is paramount, and the AW2721D if fast-paced gaming and saving money are higher priorities. 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 Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
243 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.4 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.1
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.4 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 175 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
243 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
5.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
243 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
474 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Cost
$902
$870
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) costs $870.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $870 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 34" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-OLED | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 243 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 474 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 1.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 175 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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."
Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2022
"Alienware has brought the best display technology to the desktop with its AW3423DW. With infinite contrast and a huge color gamut, it boasts a stunning image with accurate color and no need for calibration. Gaming performance is superb with smooth motion processing and quick response. This monitor truly raises the bar."
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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.
By the numbers
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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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