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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and wider aspect ratio for immersive gaming and multitasking, the Dell Alienware monitor, with its 38-inch ultrawide screen, would suit you well. It is also better for general productivity due to its size and resolution. However, for the absolute best color quality and contrast, the LG W-OLED, with its exceptional color depth, may be a better fit, especially for HDR gaming, media consumption, and color-critical work like photo editing, despite being more expensive and having a smaller screen. Keep in mind, though, that LG's monitor has a lower brightness, which might affect viewing in very bright rooms. 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 brightness
Advantages of the LG 27EP950 (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for media consumption
- Very good image clarity
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
9.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
250 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.4
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
250 nits
The LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
250 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$3,000
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) costs $3,000.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.6
6.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) 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 LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | LG 27EP950 (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $3,000 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | W-OLED | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 250 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 9.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 163 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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