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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and looking for a monitor that's a bit more budget-friendly, the Dell Alienware could be a suitable choice with its high refresh rate and good response time. However, if you're willing to invest more for superior image quality in HDR gaming, media consumption, and photo and video editing, then the MSI MAG with its better contrast, brightness, and color performance might be the better option. The larger screen size and higher resolution of the MSI also enhance productivity and the viewing experience, but it could introduce more noticeable ghosting which isn't ideal for fast-paced games. 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
- Good text clarity
Advantages of the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for productivity
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5
9.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0
6.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is only fair.
Productivity
6.5
7.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
10.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-OLED | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 1000 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 | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | 138.2 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 6.9/10 | |
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 | 2 | |
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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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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