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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and wider resolution for an immersive experience in productivity and media, the Alienware AW3821DW with its ultrawide aspect may be well-suited for you, despite its higher cost. However, if your focus is competitive gaming with the highest possible refresh rate and response time to ensure smooth gameplay, consider the AW2524H, which also offers excellent value at a lower price point. The AW3821DW is not ideal for HDR gaming or media, while the AW2524H, although better in refresh rate, also lacks in HDR performance, so neither might satisfy if high-quality HDR content is a priority. 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 AW3821DW (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell AW2524H (IPS)
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
9.5
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
500Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
5.5 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 500 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
4.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
91 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.4
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1031:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
464 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$500
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell AW2524H (IPS) costs $500.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.1
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
500Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1031:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
464 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Dell AW2524H (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell AW2524H (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $500 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 25" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 32 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1031:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 390 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 464 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 5.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 500 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 91 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.1/10 | |
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 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
See more
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."
Dell AW2524H (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | March 2023
"If you have the system for it, the Alienware AW2524H is the perfect display to show off next level frame rates and control response. With higher contrast and color volume than its 360 Hz competition, it currently has no equal."
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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