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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a high-quality display with superior color contrast for an immersive gaming and media experience, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF, an OLED model, is an excellent choice despite its higher cost. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that still offers good performance for everyday productivity and gaming, the Dell S2721DGF is a reliable IPS monitor that will save you money. The Alienware's wider screen and higher contrast will enhance your experience with HDR content, which is not as prominent on the S2721DGF. Keep in mind, the Alienware's OLED panel may not be the best for static images over long periods due to burn-in risks, whereas the S2721DGF's IPS panel is less prone to this issue. 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
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
99.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
9.4
5.9
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$650
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) has a price of $650 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
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 Dell S2721DGF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (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 S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721DGF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $300 | ||
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 | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 882:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 240 nits | 368 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 459 nits | 485 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 % | 137.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 6.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
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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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