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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you are working with a higher budget and want a larger, ultra-wide monitor with slightly better color accuracy for professional photo editing, the Dell Alienware might suit you. However, if cost is a significant factor and you are looking for a monitor that provides a sharp 4K resolution, which is better for productivity and has a high pixel density for clearer images, the Gigabyte M32U would be a more economical choice. Both monitors offer features suitable for casual gaming, but neither is optimal for very high-level competitive gaming or for the best HDR gaming and media experience. If you need versatile connectivity, the Gigabyte M32U offers additional HDMI 2.1 ports and includes USB Power Delivery. 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 M32U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Key differences
Productivity
6.6
8.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$650
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) costs $650.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.2
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.5
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Gigabyte M32U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $650 | ||
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 | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 16 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1125:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 350 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 456 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 7.1 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 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 140 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)
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 M32U (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Matthew Murray | June 2022
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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