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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a premium gaming and media consumption experience with deeper blacks and vibrant colors, the Dell Alienware AW3423DW with its OLED technology is an excellent choice despite its higher price. However, it is less suited for productivity tasks and may not be the best for digital photo editing. On the other hand, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers good performance for both gaming and productivity at a midrange price. It has a high color accuracy which makes it suitable for digital photo editing and print photo editing, but it doesn't match the Alienware's superior contrast and color volume for 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
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.1
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
99.4 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.1
5.8
175Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 175 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
9.5
6.0
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
243 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
474 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$870
$436
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) has a price of $870 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
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 MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) is poor.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DW (QD-OLED) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$870 | $436 | ||
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 | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 243 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 474 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 175 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
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 | 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."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
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.
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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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