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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you value a larger, ultrawide screen for an immersive experience in gaming and multitasking, the Dell Alienware may be worth the premium cost; however, for sharper images and better detail at a lower price, the Gigabyte M28U's smaller screen with higher pixels per inch is an excellent option. The Gigabyte also offers better productivity with its higher resolution. Neither of these monitors excels in HDR gaming or media consumption, but if digital photo editing is important, the Dell's broader color gamut has an edge. Competitive gamers may prefer the Gigabyte for its faster total response time and strobing feature, which can reduce motion blur. 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
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.7
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
8.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$470
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.1
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) 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 Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Gigabyte M28U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $470 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 28" | |
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 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1228:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 312 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 495 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 7.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 160 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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."
Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
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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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