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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a large, ultra-wide screen for an immersive experience in both gaming and productivity, and don't mind investing more, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW is an excellent choice. However, for competitive gaming with a higher refresh rate and faster response time, and if you're looking to save money, the Dell S2522HG might be more suitable. It's also more compact, which could be better for smaller spaces. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming and media consumption, but the Alienware has a wider color gamut, making it better for digital photo editing. 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 S2522HG (IPS)
- Good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
7.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell S2522HG (IPS) is good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
4.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
89 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2522HG (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.3
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2522HG (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$305
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell S2522HG (IPS) costs $305.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2522HG (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2522HG (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2522HG (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2522HG (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2522HG (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 S2522HG (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell S2522HG (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $305 | ||
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 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 89 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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 S2522HG (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Matthew Smith | February 2022
"The Dell S2522HG changes the game. This 24.5-inch 1080p gaming monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate, yet it’s commonly sold for $249.99. That’s just tens of dollars more than an average 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor. The S2522HG cuts a few corners in its pursuit of pricing, but it’s a great choice for competitive gamers on a budget."
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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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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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