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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a wider, more immersive display and are engaged in productivity tasks or casual gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor's larger screen and ultrawide aspect ratio may be worth the extra cost. However, the Gigabyte M32UC offers better contrast and is a solid choice for both gaming and media consumption, especially if you're interested in more vibrant dark scenes and a sharper 4K resolution at a lower price. Both monitors have their merits, but the Gigabyte might offer more value for a diverse set of uses including competitive gaming, given its combination of features and 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 M32UC (VA).
Advantages of the Gigabyte M32UC (VA)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
7.3
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
160Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2776:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
506 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.4 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
6.6
9.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.3
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2776:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
506 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$550
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Gigabyte M32UC (VA) costs $550.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Gigabyte M32UC (VA) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.7
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
160Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.7 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The Gigabyte M32UC (VA) 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 M32UC (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32UC (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Gigabyte M32UC (VA) 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 M32UC (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Gigabyte M32UC (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $550 | ||
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 | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 2776:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 506 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 95.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 8.7 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 | 7/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
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 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
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 M32UC (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | December 2022
"The Gigabyte M32UC is a terrific value. For around $600, you get a full-featured 4K gaming monitor with top-shelf video processing, a colorful bright image and a form factor suited for both work and play."
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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