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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that still offers very good refresh rates for competitive gaming and is also suitable for digital photo editing, the Dell Alienware AW2723DF is a solid choice. However, if you prefer a larger screen with a wider aspect ratio that may enhance productivity and media consumption due to more screen real estate, albeit at a higher cost and with a fair refresh rate which isn't as optimal for fast-paced gaming, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW would be more suitable. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or video editing. 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 AW2723DF (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.6
4.5
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 280 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$429
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) has a price of $429 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.4
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.4
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 16 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1020:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 384 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 672 nits | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 103.1 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.6 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 280 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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 AW2723DF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jeremy Laird | March 2023
"Put all the pieces together, the high quality IPS image quality, the punchy backlight, the good response and the buttery smooth 280Hz refresh and you have a pretty outstanding gaming panel that's also decent for general computing duties thanks to the 1440p resolution."
Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The Alienware AW3821DW isn’t perfect, but right now, it’s the best value in 38-inch ultrawide gaming monitors. It delivers a solid gaming experience with a bright and saturated image that’s color-accurate. With premium styling and build quality, it’s sure to satisfy gamers looking for a jumbo display."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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