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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If price is a major concern and you're focused on competitive gaming, the ViewSonic XG2431 offers high refresh rates and low response time, making it excellent for fast-paced gaming. However, for a larger, ultrawide display that enhances immersion in games and productivity with more screen real estate, consider the Dell Alienware AW3821DW. The Dell provides a higher resolution and wider color gamut, better suited for media consumption and digital photo editing, but at a premium price. Neither are the best candidates for HDR gaming or video editing, but for general use, gaming, and work, each has its strengths depending on your budget and primary use case. 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
- Good brightness
Advantages of the ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS)
- Very good refresh rate
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
6.9
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.5 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
343 nits
The ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
5.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
93 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
5.4
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
900:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
343 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
507 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$749
$245
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $749 and the ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) costs $245.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
900:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
343 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
507 nits
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
78.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) 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 ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $245 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 24" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 883:1 | 900:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 343 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 660 nits | 507 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 99.5 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 7.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 93 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
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."
ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2022
"The ViewSonic XG2431 is an excellent gaming monitor, especially when used for HDR content. With top-notch video processing and a responsive 240 Hz on tap, it fulfills the needs of competitive players at an attractive price."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
By the numbers
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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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