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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If gaming is your primary concern and you desire a wider screen with a more immersive experience, the Dell Alienware could suit you despite its higher price. However, if you are a competitive gamer looking for higher refresh rates and faster response times, the Gigabyte M27Q-X might be more appealing for less cost. For general productivity tasks, both monitors will perform well, but the larger screen and resolution of the Dell may provide a better workspace. Neither monitor is ideal for professional HDR content, but for casual content creation and photo editing, both have good color accuracy. If budget is a significant factor, the Gigabyte provides a high-performance gaming experience and decent productivity functionality at a more affordable price point. 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)
- The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS).
Advantages of the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
8.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.8 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$365
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) costs $365.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
73.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
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 Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.1
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $365 | ||
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 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 459 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 508 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 6.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 0 | |
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."
Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Zachery Cuevas | August 2022
"The company delivers again with the Gigabyte M27Q X, a 1440p monitor that comes equipped with just about everything you want and need from a gaming monitor. It may not be a 4K panel, but it more than makes up for its lower resolution in performance, bringing a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and a host of unusual features, including an onboard KVM and plenty of ports. It's a great performer, though low brightness levels and a so-so contrast ratio keep it short of top marks."
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.
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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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