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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If you're looking for an immersive and vibrant HDR gaming and media experience, the MSI MPG 491CQP with its OLED technology offers superior contrast and color performance, making it an excellent option for both creative professionals and entertainment use. However, its higher price reflects these capabilities. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW, while less expensive, provides a more than adequate gaming and productivity experience with good text clarity and image sharpness due to its IPS panel, but it doesn't match the MSI's performance in HDR content or color accuracy, which could be limiting for high-end photo editing or color grading work. 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
Advantages of the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- 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
5120 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
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 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.5
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
9.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
5120 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 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) costs $1,100.
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 491CQP (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 491CQP (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 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $1,100 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 49" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 5120 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 % | 146 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 48 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 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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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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