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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're a competitive gamer looking for fast response times and high refresh rates, the Dell Alienware AW2721D would be a solid choice but at a premium price. Conversely, if you're seeking value for money with similar gaming performance and better suitability for print photo editing, the Gigabyte M27Q-X offers that at a midrange price. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption. The Alienware's higher price doesn't translate into significantly better performance for productivity or media consumption compared to the Gigabyte, making the latter a more cost-effective option for those use cases as well. 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)
- The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS).
Advantages of the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
- Very good response time
Key differences
Cost
$902
$365
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) costs $365.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
73.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
8.0
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both very good for competitive gaming.
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 Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $365 | ||
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 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 459 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 508 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 % | 100.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 6.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
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."
Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Zachery Cuevas | August 2022
"The company delivers again with the Gigabyte M27Q X, a 1440p monitor that comes equipped with just about everything you want and need from a gaming monitor. It may not be a 4K panel, but it more than makes up for its lower resolution in performance, bringing a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and a host of unusual features, including an onboard KVM and plenty of ports. It's a great performer, though low brightness levels and a so-so contrast ratio keep it short of top marks."
Give feedback
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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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