A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If cost is a significant consideration and you primarily engage in competitive gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor may suit your needs due to its high refresh rate and good response time. However, if you prioritize image quality, especially for HDR gaming and media consumption, and are engaged in color-critical work like photo or video editing, the MSI MPG monitor, with its superior contrast, color accuracy, and higher resolution, would be a better choice despite being slightly more expensive. Keep in mind that while the Alienware performs well for fast-paced gaming, the MSI offers a more immersive experience for media and creative tasks. 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 MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (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 MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Cost
$902
$950
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) costs $950.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $950 | ||
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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 (W-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) vs. Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) vs. LG 38WN95C (IPS)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) vs. Asus PG27AQN (IPS)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 321URX (QD-OLED) vs. Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 G93SC (QD-OLED)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
116,600
Recommendations made
17,490
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
