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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're an avid gamer looking for top-notch performance, the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF with its high refresh rate and quick response time will provide an immersive and smooth gaming experience, especially in fast-paced games. However, for general productivity and media consumption, the Dell S3221QS offers a larger 4K resolution screen which is better for multitasking and clearer image details but is not as suitable for competitive gaming due to its lower refresh rate and slower response time. If HDR content is a priority, the Alienware's HDR performance is superior, making it better suited for HDR gaming and watching HDR videos. Choose the Alienware for premium gaming and HDR media, or the S3221QS for budget-friendly productivity and casual 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.6
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
99.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
3.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
9.4
7.2
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
240 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
459 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$650
$320
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) has a price of $650 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (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 AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3423DWF (QD-OLED) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $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 | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 240 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 459 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 | 99.1 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 20.9 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 | 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 | 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 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."
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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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