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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If your primary goal is an immersive gaming experience with vibrant colors and deep contrasts, particularly for HDR content, the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) would be a superior choice despite its higher price. Its OLED technology offers exceptional image clarity and its wider color gamut is great for HDR gaming and media consumption. On the other hand, if your budget is limited and you're focused on everyday productivity or casual gaming, the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is a more economical choice that still provides good color accuracy and image clarity for standard tasks, but is not as well-suited for competitive gaming or HDR content. 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
- Good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
5.8
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
99.4 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$870
$309
$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 S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.1
5.0
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 175 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
5.7
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are both poor for productivity.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (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 S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$870 | $309 | ||
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 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 175Hz | 75Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 243 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 175 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
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 | 1 | |
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 S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
By the numbers
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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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