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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If your priority is competitive gaming with a wider screen and a good field of view, the Dell Alienware monitor with its ultrawide aspect ratio and fair refresh rate could be the better fit. However, if you're looking for exceptional image quality and color accuracy for tasks such as HDR gaming, media consumption, and digital photo editing, the MSI MAG with its QD-OLED panel technology and higher resolution would be superior. Keep in mind, the MSI monitor also generally offers a higher peak brightness and infinite contrast which significantly enhances HDR content. It's also a bit cheaper than the Dell, making it great value for its advanced features. 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
Advantages of the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for productivity
- Best in class for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
9.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
6.8
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
1000 nits
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
7.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
10.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$900
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) costs $900.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI MAG 321UPX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $900 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-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 | 1000 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 % | 138.2 % | |
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 | 139 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 | 7.9/10 | |
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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