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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If immersive experiences and ultrawide gaming or productivity are priorities and budget is not a major concern, the Dell Alienware monitor offers a large, curved display that enhances field of view. However, this comes at a higher cost and it falls short in HDR gaming and media. On the other hand, the MSI monitor is more budget-friendly, still provides excellent visual quality, and supports faster response times for competitive gaming. The MSI also has better color coverage, making it a better choice for digital and print photo editing, even though its screen is smaller and less immersive than the Dell's. 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$436
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
6.1
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (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
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $436 | ||
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 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 9.1 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 | 7.3/10 | |
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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
Give feedback
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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