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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high-performance gaming is your top priority and budget is less of a concern, the Dell Alienware monitor's higher refresh rates and response times make it better suited for competitive gaming, though its high price reflects these features. For a more cost-effective option with decent gaming capabilities plus a larger screen for productivity and media, the Gigabyte M32Q offers good value and may serve well in diverse scenarios, despite its lower refresh rates potentially making it less ideal for fast-paced games. Neither monitor is optimal for HDR gaming and media, but both can handle casual gaming and general use effectively. 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 Gigabyte M32Q (IPS)
- Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
460 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.5 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.7
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 170 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 Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
5.0
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 Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
460 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$902
$455
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) costs $455.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (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 M32Q (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $455 | ||
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 | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 333 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 460 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 % | 100.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 6.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 170 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 | 8.1/10 | |
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."
Gigabyte M32Q (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | July 2023
"Thanks to its IPS panel with a wide color gamut and fast pixel response time speed, the Gigabyte M32Q offers both an immersive and responsive gaming experience. Additionally, it has an ergonomic stand, plenty of connectivity options, and a lot of useful features – all at a reasonable price."
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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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