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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If high refresh rates and fast response times for competitive gaming are a priority, the Dell Alienware monitor is a solid choice; however, its higher price reflects that niche focus. On the other hand, the Gigabyte M32UC offers a sharper image due to its larger screen with higher resolution and performs exceptionally well for productivity and media consumption, all for a more affordable price. The Gigabyte's VA panel also boasts better contrast, but for fast-paced games, its slower response time compared to the Dell monitor might be noticeable. If color accuracy for tasks like digital photo editing is crucial, the Dell monitor will serve you better. 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
Advantages of the Gigabyte M32UC (VA)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
7.3
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
160Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2776:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
506 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.4 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.7
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
160Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.7 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
9.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.3
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2776:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
506 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$550
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the Gigabyte M32UC (VA) costs $550.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32UC (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32UC (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and Gigabyte M32UC (VA) 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 M32UC (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | Gigabyte M32UC (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $550 | ||
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 | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 2776:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 506 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 % | 95.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 8.7 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 | 7/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
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 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
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 M32UC (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | December 2022
"The Gigabyte M32UC is a terrific value. For around $600, you get a full-featured 4K gaming monitor with top-shelf video processing, a colorful bright image and a form factor suited for both work and play."
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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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