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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If your focus is competitive gaming, you'll appreciate the Dell Alienware AW2721D with its higher refresh rate and excellent response time; however, it's less ideal for HDR gaming and media. On the other hand, if you prioritize a larger screen for productivity and sharp image clarity afforded by a higher resolution, the Dell U3223QE may better suit your needs. Its larger screen size and 4K resolution are great for productivity tasks, although its lower refresh rate and response performance might not satisfy serious gamers. Keep in mind, the Alienware's higher price reflects its gaming-focused features. 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 U3223QE (IPS Black)
- Good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
3.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
24.3 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is 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
2104:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$825
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) costs $825.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.9 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (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 U3223QE (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 U3223QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $825 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
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 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 2104:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 438 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 | 24.3 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 | 5.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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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