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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a large, ultra-wide display for immersive gaming and multitasking in productivity, the Dell Alienware with its curved screen might be worth the higher cost. It offers fair refresh rates for casual gaming but might not be the best for competitive scenarios. However, it's not the best choice for HDR gaming or media consumption due to lower contrast and brightness. On the other hand, the Dell S2722DGM is much less expensive and delivers better contrast and is well-suited for gaming with a good refresh rate and response time. Its smaller size and traditional aspect ratio are more standard but less expansive for multitasking. It won't perform as well in tasks that demand high color accuracy. 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 response time
Advantages of the Dell S2722DGM (VA)
- Good for casual gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
7.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
13.2 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2722DGM (VA) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2948:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
389 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2722DGM (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell S2722DGM (VA) costs $300.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.6
6.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are both only fair for productivity.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S2722DGM (VA) 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 S2722DGM (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell S2722DGM (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $300 | ||
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 | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 2948:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 389 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 % | 99.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 13.2 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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 | 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 S2722DGM (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2022
"Though it leaves out HDR and extended color, the Dell S2722DGM delivers superb gaming performance for less than $300. With Adaptive-Sync, 165 Hz, a solid overdrive and usable blur reduction, it rocks full-motion gaming without breaking the bank."
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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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