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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 are crucial, as in competitive gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor is well-suited for that. However, if you prefer a monitor with deeper blacks and higher contrast for a more immersive experience in HDR gaming and media, the KTC with its VA MiniLED panel offers significant value at a lower price point. The KTC is also a better fit for tasks that benefit from its wider color gamut, such as photo editing for print. Overall, the best monitor for you depends on whether your priority lies with gaming performance or image quality and color accuracy for media and productivity. 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 KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for productivity
- Very good for media consumption
- Excellent contrast
- Very good color volume
- Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1200 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
93.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
6.1
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is only fair.
Productivity
6.5
7.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
8.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1200 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$500
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) costs $500.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $500 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | MiniLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 576 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 4000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 1200 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 99 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 48 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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."
KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Notebook Check
Allen Ngo | March 2024
"The KTC M27T20 brings mini-LED and HDR1000 features to much more affordable price levels than before. It cuts some corners, however, and the settings require a lot of tuning for optimal colors and black levels."
Give feedback
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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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