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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and are willing to invest in a premium option for a smoother experience, the Dell Alienware AW2721D is a strong choice due to its higher refresh rate. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly monitor that still performs well for casual gaming and productivity, the Dell S2721DGF offers a good balance at a midrange price. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption, but they can handle digital photo editing with good color accuracy. Keep in mind, for tasks requiring precise colors for print photo editing or HDR video editing, you might need to look elsewhere. 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 brightness
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
- Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$902
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell S2721DGF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $300 | ||
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 | 32 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 882:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 368 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 485 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 137.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 6.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
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."
Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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