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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high refresh rates and a wider screen for an immersive gaming experience are top priorities, consider the Dell Alienware AW3821DW, although it comes with a premium price and is not well-suited for HDR content. On the other hand, the Dell U3223QE offers better picture quality with higher contrast, which is great for productivity and photo editing, at a typically much lower price, but it has a lower refresh rate, making it less ideal for fast-paced gaming. Both have large screens, but different aspect ratios, the Alienware's ultra-wide screen may be better for multitasking and gaming, while the U3223QE's higher resolution favors sharp text and detailed images. 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 U3223QE (IPS Black)
- Good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
3.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
24.3 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
7.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$880
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) costs $880.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.2
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $880 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 2104:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 438 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 | 24.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 1 | |
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 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
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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."
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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