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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If you're focused on competitive gaming, the Dell Alienware with its higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate support offers smoother gameplay, but its IPS panel may not produce the deep blacks and high contrast that a VA panel like the Samsung's can achieve. For HDR gaming and media consumption, the Samsung's VA Mini LED panel with a higher contrast ratio could provide better image depth and detail in darker scenes. Though both are suitable for productivity and photo editing, the Dell's IPS panel generally displays more accurate colors straight out of the box, which might make it slightly better for tasks that are sensitive to color discrepancies. The Samsung, with its larger screen and 4K resolution, can offer more workspace and sharper text for productivity but might not be as agile for fast-paced gaming due to the slower response time and refresh rate compared to the Dell. 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 Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED)
- Good for casual gaming
- Good contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
7.7
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
6.6
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
103 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
6.9
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) is somewhat better.
Cost
$749
$999
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) costs $999.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) 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 Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
4.5
4.9
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
60,144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) 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 Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Samsung S43CG70 (VA Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $999 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 43" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 512 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 3000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 400 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 | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 60,144 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 | 9.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 103 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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