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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're primarily focused on competitive gaming and want superior image clarity, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF with its better response time and very high refresh rate is an excellent option, though it commands a premium price. It also excels in media consumption due to its high contrast and color performance. However, for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize productivity and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS offers very good detail due to its higher resolution despite its lower refresh rate making it less ideal for fast-paced gaming. The S2721QS also has better text quality, making it suitable for everyday tasks and basic media consumption. 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 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
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
99.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.4
6.7
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$650
$230
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) has a price of $650 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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
5.0
4.9
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $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 | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 240 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 459 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 | 99.1 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 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 | 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 | 1 | |
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 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
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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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