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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a wide, immersive display with consistent colors for productivity and digital photo editing, and you're willing to invest in a premium product, the Dell Alienware is suitable despite its higher cost and modest contrast. On the other hand, if you're looking for a monitor with deeper blacks and higher contrast for a more vivid gaming and movie-watching experience, and you're on a budget, the Dell S3222DGM offers these features at a budget-friendly price but with a narrower view and less suitability for color-critical work. Both are serviceable for casual and competitive gaming, but neither is ideal for HDR gaming or media. 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
- Good brightness
Advantages of the Dell S3222DGM (VA)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4365:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3222DGM (VA) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
5.1
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
93 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is poor.
Cost
$749
$250
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell S3222DGM (VA) costs $250.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3222DGM (VA) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.6
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.6 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
The Dell S3222DGM (VA) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
4365:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 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 S3222DGM (VA) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S3222DGM (VA) 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 S3222DGM (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell S3222DGM (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Dell S3222DGM (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell S3222DGM (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $250 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 32" | |
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 | 4365:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 333 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 % | 98.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 10.6 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 | 7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 93 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
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 S3222DGM (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | February 2022
"Aside from its omission of HDR, the Dell S3222DGM has no flaws of consequence. For a surprisingly low price, it delivers premium quality gaming performance with 165 Hz and Adaptive-Sync through a high-contrast curved VA panel with a wide and accurate color gamut."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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