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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a high refresh rate for smooth competitive gaming and don't mind spending more, the Dell Alienware AW2721D would suit you. However, if your focus is on digital and print photo editing thanks to better color gamut coverage but can compromise a bit on gaming performance, the MSI G274QPF-QD offers those features at a budget-friendly price. Neither is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption, so if that's a key interest, you might want to consider other options. 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 text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good brightness
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
- The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
5.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity, though the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$902
$270
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $270 | ||
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 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 300 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 % | 154 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 48 - 170 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 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 108 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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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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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