If high refresh rate and low response time for competitive gaming matter to you, the Dell Alienware AW2723DF offers a better experience, but you'll pay more for it. The Dell S2722QC, with a higher resolution, is better suited for productivity tasks and media consumption where image clarity is important, and it comes at a lower price point. However, the S2722QC’s lower refresh rate might not be ideal for fast-paced gaming. Neither monitor is recommended for professional photo editing or high-end HDR video editing, but the Alienware's higher brightness and refresh rate could provide a more enjoyable casual HDR gaming and media viewing experience. 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
Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2722QC (IPS)
Good for productivity
Very good text clarity
Very good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.4/10
5.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
82.9 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.6/10
4.9/10
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.4 ms
20 - 280 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.4/10
7.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722QC (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.0/10
6.8/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1304:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
382 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
402 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722QC (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Dell S2722QC (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$429
$400
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) has a price of $429 and the Dell S2722QC (IPS) costs $400.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S2722QC (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and the Dell S2722QC (IPS) compare to other monitors
"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."
"The Dell S2722QC offers 4K, USB-C, HDR, and integrated speakers for a uniquely affordable price, but makes some image quality sacrifices to hit its low cost. It’s a good everyday productivity monitor that you should buy for its features, not its performance."
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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.