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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a premium ultrawide monitor for a more immersive gaming and media experience, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers a larger screen, higher resolution, and better features for gaming like a higher refresh rate. It's also more suitable for digital photo editing due to better color coverage. However, it comes at a premium price compared to the Dell S2721DS, which offers solid performance at a budget price with a standard screen size and resolution that's adequate for most tasks. Choose the S2721DS if you want to save money and don't need the advanced features for gaming or professional 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 brightness
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS).
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$309
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 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 S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (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 S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $309 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
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 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 334 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 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
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 S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
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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