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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If you value a larger screen and an ultrawide aspect ratio for immersive experiences in productivity and gaming, the Dell Alienware monitor is a strong choice, although it's priced higher. However, if top-notch contrast and color depth are crucial, particularly for HDR gaming and media consumption, the ViewSonic OLED monitor is a better fit, despite its smaller size and standard aspect ratio. For competitive gaming, the ViewSonic also has an edge with higher refresh rates and quicker response times, although its text clarity might not match the Dell when it comes to reading or detailed work. 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 ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Very good for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.0
9.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
450 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
95.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
4.5
9.6
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
10.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
450 nits
The ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.6
5.8
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.2
8.0
3840 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
883:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
495 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
450 nits
660 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is very good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,099
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) has a price of $1,099 and the ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) 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 ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) 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 ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) | ViewSonic XG272 2K OLED (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,099 | $800 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 38" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 1600 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | W-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 | 450 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 | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 133 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 10.8 ms | 0.02 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 40 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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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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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