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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is a main priority and you're willing to invest more, the Dell Alienware with a higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate range would enhance your gaming experience. However, for casual gaming and general productivity, the MSI offers good performance and may provide better value for money. For tasks like digital photo editing, both monitors have suitable color coverage but the Dell Alienware doesn't support HDR which might limit its appeal for HDR gaming and media consumption. If budget is a concern and you don't need the extra gaming performance features of the Dell, the MSI should meet your needs 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 brightness
Advantages of the MSI G273QPF (IPS)
- Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$902
$244
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $244 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
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 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 316 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 132.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 6.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 165 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 | 8/10 | |
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 | 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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"Thanks to its 27″ 1440p IPS panel with wide color gamut, the MSI G273QF delivers an immersive viewing experience, while the rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, FreeSync, MBR and 165Hz ensure buttery-smooth performance – all that at an appealing 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.
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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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