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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a high refresh rate for a smoother competitive gaming experience, the Dell Alienware monitor is better, but it has a lower screen resolution and is quite expensive. On the other hand, if you prefer sharper images for productivity and media with a higher resolution, the Gigabyte M28U offers that for less money. However, the Gigabyte has a lower refresh rate, which is less ideal for fast-paced gaming. Neither monitor is the best for professional color work or HDR gaming, but both are sufficient for casual use and regular 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 brightness
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.7
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
8.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$470
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) 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 Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Gigabyte M28U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $470 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 28" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1228:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 312 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 495 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 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 7.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 160 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
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 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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 M28U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
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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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