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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize gaming and want an ultrawide monitor with a high refresh rate, the Dell Alienware would serve you well, especially for immersive casual gaming with its fair response time and VRR (variable refresh rate) support. However, for tasks that require high-fidelity visuals such as digital photo editing or if you desire a monitor with extremely sharp text and image clarity, the LG UltraFine 5K stands out with its higher resolution and top-notch display attributes. The LG's glossy screen offers exceptional clarity but could reflect more light than the Dell's matte finish, which is more forgiving with reflections. Keep in mind, the LG's refresh rate is lower, which is less ideal for competitive gaming. 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 response time
Advantages of the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
Key differences
Productivity
6.6
8.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
218 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$1,179
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) costs $1,179.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
5120 x 2880
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1200:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
500 nits
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (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 LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $1,179 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 5120 x 2880 | |
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 | 1200:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 500 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 14 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 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 218 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 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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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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