A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW, with its larger screen and ultrawide format, is tailored more toward immersive gaming experiences and multitasking productivity, thanks to the wider field of view and extra screen real estate. It also offers a higher refresh rate for smoother gameplay, which will appeal to serious gamers. However, the Dell S2721QS, while less expensive, provides a higher resolution on a smaller screen, making it better suited for sharp, detailed work such as photo editing and clear text for productivity. If HDR content is important to you, though, neither monitor excels in this area. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Productivity
6.6
7.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$230
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
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 S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.9
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (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 S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
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 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 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 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
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) vs. Asus PG279QM (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) vs. LG 34GP83A (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) vs. LG 34GN850B (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. MSI G273QPF (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. KTC H27T22 (IPS)
VS
FAQs
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
108,500
Recommendations made
16,275
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
