A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a premium gaming experience with top-notch contrast, vibrant colors, and smoother motion for fast-paced games, the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is worth the higher price. For activities like browsing, office work, or casual content viewing, and if you want a sharper image with higher resolution at a lower cost, the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is a solid choice. The Alienware's OLED technology will excel in HDR gaming and media, but for strict productivity and cost efficiency, the S2721QS will serve you well without breaking the bank. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
99.4 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.7
7.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
6.7
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$870
$230
$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 S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.1
4.9
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 175 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$870 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 34" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 175Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 243 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 175 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 110 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 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 S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) vs. MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) vs. Asus PG27AQDM (W-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) vs. Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 (W-OLED)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. MSI G273QPF (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. KTC H27T22 (IPS)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
