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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on competitive gaming and want a monitor with a high refresh rate and lower response time for smooth gameplay, the Dell Alienware AW2721D is a solid choice, but it's at a premium price. On the other hand, the Dell U2723QE is better for productivity and digital photo editing, thanks to its higher resolution and color accuracy, while being more affordable. It doesn't match the Alienware in gaming performance due to a lower refresh rate. Neither is the best choice for HDR gaming and media consumption, but for different types of work or casual gaming, these distinctions are important. 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
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.9
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.7 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
8.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
162 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$545
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) costs $545.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1978:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
341 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
415 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.3 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) 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 U2723QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell U2723QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $545 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 4 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1978:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 341 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 415 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 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 20.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 162 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 1 | |
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)
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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."
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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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