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Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a larger, ultrawide monitor for immersive gaming and a wide workspace, the Dell Alienware may better suit your needs, but be prepared to invest more. On the other hand, the MSI is more wallet-friendly and offers a solid option for gaming with a faster refresh rate and good color accuracy, making it suitable for digital and print photo editing. Both monitors offer an adjustable stand and a good color range, but the Dell stands out for tasks that benefit from a larger, ultrawide screen. Consider your budget and whether an ultrawide screen or savings is your priority. 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 G274QPF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity, though the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$270
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) 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 G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $270 | ||
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 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 300 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 % | 154 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 170 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 108 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 | 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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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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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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