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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch gaming with deep blacks and vivid colors, the Alienware AW3423DW's OLED panel is exceptional, especially for HDR content. Its curved, ultrawide display enhances immersion but is less ideal for multitasking. Conversely, the Dell S2721DGF is more budget-friendly and still delivers a solid gaming experience with its high refresh rate. Its IPS panel offers better color consistency and viewing angles, making it versatile for gaming, general productivity, and content creation, albeit without the superior contrast and color range of the Alienware. Choose Alienware for a premium, cinema-like game experience; opt for the Dell S2721DGF for a well-rounded, cost-efficient monitor. 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 AW3423DW (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
99.4 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.1
5.8
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
20 - 175 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
9.5
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$870
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) has a price of $870 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Productivity
5.7
6.2
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S2721DGF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721DGF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$870 | $300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 34" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 882:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 243 nits | 368 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 485 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 137.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 6.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 175 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 110 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.1/10 | 7/10 | |
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 AW3423DW (QD-OLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2022
"Alienware has brought the best display technology to the desktop with its AW3423DW. With infinite contrast and a huge color gamut, it boasts a stunning image with accurate color and no need for calibration. Gaming performance is superb with smooth motion processing and quick response. This monitor truly raises the bar."
Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
Give feedback
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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