If you're a competitive gamer, the Dell Alienware monitor with its higher refresh rate is a strong choice, offering smoother gameplay which can be an advantage in fast-paced games. However, for intense graphic work or photo editing, especially print, the ViewSonic's superior color depth and contrast, along with a wider screen, could enhance your experience. If watching movies or playing HDR games is your interest, the ViewSonic again might be more appealing due to its high contrast and HDR capability, providing better image depth and realism. If you're on a budget, Dell offers a good balance between gaming performance and productivity, but for visual quality and enhanced color accuracy at a higher price, the ViewSonic stands out. 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 XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED)
Excellent for casual gaming
Good for media consumption
Good contrast
Very good brightness
Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5/10
9.3/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
200Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
720 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
71.9 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) is excellent for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.0/10
5.4/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
200Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,200 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
720 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2/10
7.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3000:1
474 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
720 nits
788 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$902
$1,499
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) has a price of $902 and the ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) costs $1,499.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA 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 XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5/10
6.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) and Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA 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 XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Dell Alienware AW2721D (IPS) and the ViewSonic XG341C-2K (VA Mini LED) compare to other monitors
"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."
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.