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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your priority, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers a very good refresh rate and response time, making it a solid choice for smooth gameplay. However, if you're focused on high-resolution work or media, the LG UltraFine 5K boasts exceptional text and image clarity due to its higher screen resolution, which is ideal for productivity and media consumption. While the Dell is more wallet-friendly and better for fast-paced games, the LG excels in visual quality for creative tasks and watching high-resolution content, but at a higher cost. 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 response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.0
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
8.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$1,179
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 5120 x 2880 | |
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 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | Unknown | |
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 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 14 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 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."
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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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Monitors evaluated
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Recommendations made
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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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