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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If your focus is on a large ultrawide monitor for immersive gaming and multitasking, the Dell Alienware with its curved display and ultra-wide aspect ratio could be a better fit for you, even if it costs a bit more. However, for a combination of high-definition media consumption, HDR gaming, and color-critical work like digital photo editing, the Sony M9 with its superior color accuracy, higher pixel density, and better HDR performance is a strong choice. It's also generally less expensive than the Dell. Keep in mind, the Dell's larger screen size may offer a more expansive field of view, while the Sony's more traditional aspect ratio can be better for standard video content and applications. 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)
- The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Sony M9 (IPS FALD).
Advantages of the Sony M9 (IPS FALD)
- Good for casual gaming
- Best in class for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
- Good contrast
- Good color volume
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
7.3
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
67.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.7
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
24 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.6
9.6
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
163 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is best in class for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.2
7.5
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
432 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
695 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is good 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 Sony M9 (IPS FALD) 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 Sony M9 (IPS FALD) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Sony M9 (IPS FALD) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and the Sony M9 (IPS FALD) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | Sony M9 (IPS FALD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS FALD | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | 96 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 432 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 695 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 24 - 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 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 163 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
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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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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