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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you're looking for an immersive experience with a wider screen for productivity and good color accuracy for photo editing, the Dell Alienware monitor can be appealing, especially since it's more affordable. However, for intense competitive gaming with smoother motion and the absolute best contrast for vibrant HDR gaming and media, the MSI monitor stands out, although it comes at a higher cost. Keep in mind that the MSI's text clarity and image sharpness may be less crisp for everyday tasks compared to the Dell. Choose the Dell for a balanced mix of work and play, or the MSI if your priority is top-tier gaming performance and stunning visuals. 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 MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
9.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.9
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
2.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.4
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Cost
$749
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) costs $1,700.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $1,700 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 45" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3440 x 1440 | |
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 | 275 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 | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | Unknown | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | ||
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 1.4/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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."
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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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