A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're a competitive gamer looking for smooth gameplay with a higher refresh rate, the Dell Alienware monitor can offer you that advantage at a premium price. However, if you're more into casual gaming, media consumption, or productivity tasks and would appreciate a larger screen with higher resolution, the Gigabyte M32U would be a better value choice for less money. Keep in mind that although the Gigabyte's refresh rate is lower, it's still very capable for general use and gaming, and it offers a sharper image due to its higher resolution. Neither monitor is ideal for professional editing in HDR, but both can handle general photo editing 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)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Gigabyte M32U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
8.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$650
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) costs $650.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (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
1125:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Gigabyte M32U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $650 | ||
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 | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 16 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1125:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 350 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 456 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 % | 99.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 7.1 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 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 140 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 M32U (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Matthew Murray | June 2022
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 (W-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED)
VS
Compare Gigabyte M32U (IPS) vs. LG DualUp 28MQ780 (IPS)
VS
Compare Gigabyte M32U (IPS) vs. LG 27GS95QE (W-OLED)
VS
Compare Gigabyte M32U (IPS) vs. Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
