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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for exceptional contrast and color performance for gaming and media consumption, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF with QD-OLED technology is a strong choice. It shines in its color depth and is suitable for both HDR gaming and media thanks to its high brightness and infinite contrast. However, if you need a larger screen and prioritize tasks such as digital photo editing, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW IPS monitor offers a bigger workspace and is well-suited for productivity with its larger screen size, despite having lower contrast and not being recommended for HDR video editing. Both are premium monitors, but the OLED option generally costs less and provides a more visually immersive experience while the IPS variant offers more screen real estate and is better for multitasking. 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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Excellent for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.0
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
99.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
5.7
6.6
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
110 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.4
6.2
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$650
$749
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) has a price of $650 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.0
4.5
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) | Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $749 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 34" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 883:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 240 nits | 495 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 459 nits | 660 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.1 % | 133 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 10.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 110 PPI | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jeremy Laird | May 2023
"It may seem like a minor tweak, but the addition of a glossy anti-glare coating makes all the difference. It really lets the OLED panel rip. That this revised "F" model is also cheaper than the OG Alienware OLED and the similarly glossy Philips competition seals the deal. This is our new favourite among the OLED monitor massive."
Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The Alienware AW3821DW isn’t perfect, but right now, it’s the best value in 38-inch ultrawide gaming monitors. It delivers a solid gaming experience with a bright and saturated image that’s color-accurate. With premium styling and build quality, it’s sure to satisfy gamers looking for a jumbo display."
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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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