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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you value high refresh rates for very good competitive gaming and have a lower budget, the Dell Alienware AW2721D offers good performance at a lower cost. However, if you prioritize higher screen resolution and are focused on productivity, digital photo editing, or print photo editing with accurate color reproduction, and are willing to spend more, the ViewSonic XG321UG with its larger screen and advanced Mini LED technology would be a better choice, though it's less suited for competitive gaming due to a lower refresh rate. Both choices have their own standouts and compromises based on what's most important for your use. 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
Advantages of the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED)
- Good for productivity
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0
4.6
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.6 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
137 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is somewhat better.
Cost
$902
$2,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) costs $2,300.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5
6.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) | ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$902 | $2,300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 1152 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1088:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 788 nits | 1400 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 136.9 % | ||
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 ms | 3.6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 48,144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 137 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 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)
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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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