If you prioritize a larger, ultrawide screen for immersive productivity and gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor offers that with a curved format, but it comes at a premium price. Conversely, the Pixio OLED provides exceptional contrast and is better suited for high-fidelity HDR gaming and media with deeper blacks, at a lower price. However, if you're into competitive gaming, the Pixio's faster response time and higher refresh rate will be beneficial. The Dell's broader screen estate may serve well for multitasking, but for color-critical work like photo editing, the Pixio's superior color accuracy could be more important. 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 Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED)
Best in class for casual gaming
Best in class for competitive gaming
Best in class for media consumption
Very good refresh rate
Best in class contrast
Best in class brightness
Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0/10
9.9/10
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
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
98.8 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5/10
9.7/10
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 Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6/10
5.9/10
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) is only fair for productivity, while the Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2/10
9.5/10
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 Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-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 Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-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 Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Cost
$749
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) costs $700.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Pixio PX277 OLED Max (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
"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."
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.