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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for an immersive experience with a larger, ultrawide screen for both work and play, the Dell Alienware could be a strong pick, but it comes at a premium price. It has a wider color gamut making it suitable for digital photo editing. However, the Gigabyte M32Q might be a better value if you need a high refresh rate for competitive gaming and a good monitor for everyday use at a lower cost, though it falls short for tasks that require the highest color accuracy. Neither is the best fit for HDR gaming and media consumption. 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 Gigabyte M32Q (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Productivity
6.6
5.0
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 Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
460 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$455
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) costs $455.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
460 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.7
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.1 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
333 nits
The Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Gigabyte M32Q (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $455 | ||
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 | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 333 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 460 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 6.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 170 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 | 8.1/10 | |
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."
Gigabyte M32Q (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | July 2023
"Thanks to its IPS panel with a wide color gamut and fast pixel response time speed, the Gigabyte M32Q offers both an immersive and responsive gaming experience. Additionally, it has an ergonomic stand, plenty of connectivity options, and a lot of useful features – all at a reasonable price."
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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