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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If your priority is a larger, ultrawide monitor with a higher resolution for an immersive gaming and productivity experience, the Dell Alienware could be a great choice, although it is at a premium price. However, if you are focused on fast-paced gaming with higher refresh rates and quicker response times at a more affordable price, the MSI may better meet your needs. Both are suited for digital photo editing with good color accuracy, but for HDR gaming and media, the Dell offers better brightness. Neither is ideal for professional HDR video editing or print photo editing that demands the highest color accuracy and breadth. 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 MSI G273QPF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The MSI G273QPF (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$244
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.6
6.2
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (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 MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $244 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
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 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 316 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 | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 132.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 6.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
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 | 1 | |
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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"Thanks to its 27″ 1440p IPS panel with wide color gamut, the MSI G273QF delivers an immersive viewing experience, while the rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, FreeSync, MBR and 165Hz ensure buttery-smooth performance – all that at an appealing price!"
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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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