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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a smooth gaming experience with a high refresh rate for competitive play, the Alienware AW2721D may suit you despite its higher cost. Alternatively, for rich colors and deeper blacks in movies or less competitive games, and to save money, the Dell S3222DGM with its VA panel could be a better choice, although you'll compromise on responsiveness. If you're involved in digital photo editing, Alienware's better color coverage will be advantageous, whereas for general productivity and casual use, either could suffice, with the S3222DGM giving you a larger screen at a lower price. 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 image clarity
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S3222DGM (VA)
- Very good contrast
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.6
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.6 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
5.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
93 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is poor.
Cost
$902
$250
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell S3222DGM (VA) costs $250.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4365:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3222DGM (VA) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4365:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
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 S3222DGM (VA) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S3222DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S3222DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell S3222DGM (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 S3222DGM (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell S3222DGM (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $250 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
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 | 4365:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 333 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 % | 98.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 10.6 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 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 93 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
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 S3222DGM (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2022
"Aside from its omission of HDR, the Dell S3222DGM has no flaws of consequence. For a surprisingly low price, it delivers premium quality gaming performance with 165 Hz and Adaptive-Sync through a high-contrast curved VA panel with a wide and accurate color gamut."
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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.
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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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