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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you prioritize a wider screen and higher resolution for multitasking and productivity, the Dell Alienware might be worth the extra cost. However, if you want the best gaming performance with deep blacks and vibrant colors for both HDR gaming and media consumption, the MSI MPG offers excellent picture quality at a lower price, making it a solid choice for both competitive gaming and enjoying high dynamic range content. The tradeoff with the MSI is a smaller screen and lower resolution, which might not be optimal for productivity tasks that benefit from a larger workspace. 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 MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class 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
10.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
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 MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
10.0
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 360 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
6.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) are both only fair for productivity, though the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
6.2
9.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$800
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) costs $800.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MPG 271QRX (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 MPG 271QRX (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 MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MPG 271QRX (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 MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI MPG 271QRX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
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 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 360 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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)
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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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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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