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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're a competitive gamer, the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) offers superior responsiveness and refresh rates essential for fast-paced games, at a somewhat lower price point. For productivity and expansive screen real estate, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) with its wider display can enhance multitasking, although you may encounter higher costs. In terms of media and HDR gaming, the QD-OLED model provides better peak brightness and contrast, giving you deeper blacks and vibrant colors, which might justify the investment. However, if color accuracy for tasks such as digital photo editing is your priority, the IPS monitor offers excellent coverage of color gamuts and might be worth the extra expense. 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 AW2725DF (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
9.7
4.5
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
0.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
235 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
445 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$900
$1,099
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) has a price of $900 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $1,099.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) 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 AW2725DF (QD-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2725DF (QD-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $1,099 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 235 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 445 nits | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.6 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.8/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
See more
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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