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PG279QM
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AW3821DW
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What we think

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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·

If you're focused on competitive gaming, the Asus PG279QM offers a higher refresh rate, which ensures smoother gameplay, making it a strong choice. However, if you prefer a larger screen with higher resolution for an immersive experience in productivity tasks and media consumption, and you're willing to spend more, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW would be better suited for you. Although neither is ideal for HDR gaming and media consumption, the Asus is well-suited for digital and print photo editing due to its strong color reproduction, while the Dell offers a wider screen, which might be more appealing for multitasking during productivity 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 Asus PG279QM (IPS)
  • Very good for competitive gaming
  • Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
  • Good brightness

Key differences

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Competitive Gaming

8.0
PG279QM
AW3821DW
4.5
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
7.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
10.8 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is poor.

Print Photo Editing

Yes
PG279QM
AW3821DW
No
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing.

Key similarities

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Casual Gaming

6.4
PG279QM
AW3821DW
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
95.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.

Productivity

6.4
PG279QM
AW3821DW
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.

Media Consumption

6.0
PG279QM
AW3821DW
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
1147:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
883:1
363 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
478 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
660 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) and Asus PG279QM (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.

Cost

$749
PG279QM
AW3821DW
$749
Product imageProduct image

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

The Asus PG279QM (IPS) has a price of $749 and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) costs $749.

HDR Gaming and Media Consumption

No
PG279QM
AW3821DW
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.

Digital Photo Editing

Yes
PG279QM
AW3821DW
Yes
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.

HDR Video Editing and Color Grading

No
PG279QM
AW3821DW
No
Both the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.

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We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Asus PG279QM (IPS) and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS) compare to other monitors

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Spec Comparison

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Asus PG279QM (IPS)Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)
Asus PG279QM (IPS)Dell Alienware AW3821DW (IPS)

GENERAL

Price
$749
$749
Screen Size
27"38"
Resolution
2560 x 14403840 x 1600
Screen Type
LEDLED
Screen Sub-type
IPSIPS
Local Dimming Zones
3232

COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS

Native Contrast
1147:1883:1
SDR Peak Brightness
363 nits495 nits
HDR Peak Brightness
478 nits660 nits
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
NoNo
sRGB Color Gamut
103.1 %133 %

MOTION CHARACTERISTICS

Total Response Time
7 ms10.8 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
20 - 240 Hz20 - 144 Hz
Strobing / BFI
NoNo
Persistence Blur Score
8/106.6/10
Ghosting Score
8/107/10

TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY

Pixels Per Inch
109 PPI111 PPI
Coating
MatteMatte
Text Clarity Score
7/107.2/10
Image Clarity Score
7/107.2/10

PORTS & CONNECTIVITY

HDMI 1.4 Ports
00
HDMI 2.0 Ports
32
HDMI 2.1 Ports
00
Micro HDMI Ports
00
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports
00

Shopping

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Asus PG279QM (IPS)

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Dig into reviews and images

Tom's Hardware

Christian Eberle | April 2022
"The Asus ROG Swift PG279QM is one of the best gaming monitors I’ve reviewed, and one of the best all-around displays too. With perfect video processing, smooth gaming performance and tons of rich and accurate color."

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

FAQs

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Why trust us

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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

210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
113,600
Recommendations made
17,040
Consumer hours saved

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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