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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize vibrant colors and contrast for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is an excellent choice due to its superior contrast and color volume, but it is generally more expensive and may not be as well-suited for productivity due to its glossy screen. On the other hand, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers a larger screen and slightly better text clarity, making it better for productivity tasks, but its performance in HDR content isn't as strong. For competitive gaming, the Samsung's lower response time and higher refresh rate give it an edge, although both have good capabilities in that area. If budget is a concern, the Dell offers a slightly lower price point for good all-around performance. 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 brightness
Advantages of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
9.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
241 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.5 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.2
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.9 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 175 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
241 nits
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
5.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
9.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
241 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$749
$1,500
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) costs $1,500.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G85SB (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $1,500 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 34" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3440 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 | 241 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 456 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99.3 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 0.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 175 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 9.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
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 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 1 | |
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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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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