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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a high-quality gaming experience with quick response times and plan to use HDR, the premium-priced Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) excels in these aspects but isn't as well-suited for productivity due to its ultrawide aspect ratio. Alternatively, the Dell S3221QS (VA) offers a good balance for productivity and casual gaming at a midrange price, with better resolution for detailed work but falls short in competitive gaming performance and HDR capabilities. It's a more economical choice with a higher resolution, but it won't match the Alienware's superior color quality or gaming features. Choose based on whether gaming performance or budget-friendly versatility is more important to you. 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.6
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
99.4 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.1
3.8
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 175 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.7
8.5
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.5
7.2
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$870
$320
$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 S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$870 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 34" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 175Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 243 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.1/10 | 8/10 | |
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 S3221QS (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Anj Bryant | May 2021
"The Dell S3221QS offers a 4K, 32-inch panel that’s great for streaming videos and casual gaming, with an effective, gentle curve. But color accuracy and HDR performance leave much room for improvement."
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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