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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high refresh rates for very smooth gaming, go for the Dell Alienware AW2721D with its excellent performance in fast-paced games. However, it's pricier and not the best for HDR gaming or high-quality image editing. The Dell S2722DGM offers better contrast for deeper blacks and is more affordable, suitable for good casual and competitive gaming, as well as media consumption – but with lower refresh rates, it's not as smooth as the Alienware, and its response time isn't quite as quick, which may matter in competitive scenarios. Both have the same screen size and resolution, which is adequate for productivity and gaming. 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 response time
Advantages of the Dell S2722DGM (VA)
- Good for casual gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
13.2 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2722DGM (VA) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
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 S2722DGM (VA) costs $300.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S2722DGM (VA) to be good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
6.5
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) 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 S2722DGM (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell S2722DGM (VA) |
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 | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 2948:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 389 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 99.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 13.2 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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 S2722DGM (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2022
"Though it leaves out HDR and extended color, the Dell S2722DGM delivers superb gaming performance for less than $300. With Adaptive-Sync, 165 Hz, a solid overdrive and usable blur reduction, it rocks full-motion gaming without breaking the bank."
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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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