Aw3821Dw review: Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review — RTINGS.com

Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review — RTINGS.com

Tested using
Methodology v1.1

Reviewed
Feb 03, 2021 at 10:21 am

By Samuel Breton, Nicholas Di Giovanni, Yannick Khong

8.0

Mixed Usage

7.9

Office

8.2

Gaming

7.9

Multimedia

8. 0

Media Creation

7.3

HDR Gaming

overview
test results
deals
discussions

Size

38″

Resolution

3840×1600

Max Refresh Rate

144 Hz

Pixel Type

IPS

Variable Refresh Rate

G-SYNC

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW is a good overall monitor. It’s Dell’s only 38 inch option in their Alienware lineup, and it has a high 3840×1600 resolution to deliver an immersive gaming experience. It has native G-SYNC support and a 144Hz refresh rate. Despite the lack of a Black Frame Insertion feature, motion looks smooth thanks to its quick response time, and input lag is incredibly low. Sadly, it has an IPS panel with a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray. It has an edge-lit local dimming feature, but it performs terribly as it fails to improve the contrast, and can’t be disabled when viewing HDR content. It’s also limited to a 120Hz refresh rate with a 10-bit signal over a DisplayPort connection. On the plus side, it’s very well-built, but its ergonomics are mediocre, which is a bit expected for such a large screen.

Note that this monitor is hard to find at major retailers at the time of writing; we purchased ours directly from Dell’s website.

Our Verdict

8.0

Mixed Usage

The Dell AW3821DW is very good for most uses. It has a 144Hz refresh rate and native G-SYNC support. Its response time is excellent and input lag is extremely low for gaming. It’s good for productivity thanks to its 38 inch ultrawide screen and high resolution, allowing you to open multiple windows side-by-side. Even though it displays a wide color gamut for HDR content, it has a low contrast ratio and a terrible local dimming feature that you can’t disable in HDR.

Pros

High 3840×1600 resolution.
144Hz native refresh rate and native G-SYNC support.
Excellent response time.
Large screen delivers immersive gaming experience.

Cons

Reflection handling is just okay.
Low contrast ratio.
Terrible local dimming feature that can’t be disabled when in HDR.

See our Mixed Usage Recommendations

7.9

Office

The Dell AW3821DW is very good for office use. It has a large screen with a high resolution, allowing you to open multiple windows side-by-side and see text clearly. Its ergonomics are mediocre, but that’s somewhat expected for a curved screen of this size. It gets bright, but it only has okay reflection handling, so it may be best to avoid using it in a well-lit room.

Pros

Large 38 inch screen.
High 3840×1600 resolution.
Impressive SDR peak brightness.

Cons

Reflection handling is just okay.
Mediocre ergonomics.

See our Office Recommendations

8. 2

Gaming

The Dell AW3821DW is great for gaming. It has a high 144Hz refresh rate with native G-SYNC support. It has a very quick response time that results in smooth motion, and the input lag is incredibly low. Sadly, it’s not good for dark room gaming due to its mediocre black uniformity and low contrast ratio that makes blacks appear gray.

Pros

144Hz native refresh rate and native G-SYNC support.
Incredibly low input lag.
Excellent response time.
Large screen delivers immersive gaming experience.

See our Gaming Recommendations

7.9

Multimedia

The Dell AW3821DW is very good for consuming multimedia content. It has a large ultrawide screen with a high resolution that helps deliver crisp images. It has fairly wide viewing angles if you want to share your screen with a friend, but its ergonomics are mediocre. However, blacks look gray when viewed in the dark due to its low contrast ratio.

Pros

Large 38 inch screen.
High 3840×1600 resolution.
Fairly wide viewing angles.

See our Multimedia Recommendations

8.0

Media Creation

The Dell AW3821DW is great for content creators. It has a big 38 inch screen that offers enough space to open multiple windows side-by-side, and the high resolution delivers crisp images. Its ergonomics are mediocre, as you can’t rotate it into portrait mode. Sadly, its low contrast ratio makes blacks look gray when viewed in the dark.

Pros

Large 38 inch screen.
High 3840×1600 resolution.
Incredibly low input lag.

Cons

Reflection handling is just okay.
Mediocre ergonomics.

See our Media Creation Recommendations

7.3

HDR Gaming

The Dell AW3821DW is decent for HDR gaming. It has a very low input lag and a quick response time. It has G-SYNC support and it can reach a 120Hz refresh rate with a 10-bit signal. Sadly, even though it displays a wide color gamut and has decent HDR peak brightness, its low contrast ratio and terrible local dimming make it less-than-ideal for viewing HDR content in the dark.

Pros

Incredibly low input lag.
Excellent response time.
Large screen delivers immersive gaming experience.

Cons

Low contrast ratio.
Terrible local dimming feature that can’t be disabled when in HDR.
Limited to 120Hz over 10-bit signal.

See our HDR Gaming Recommendations

8.0

Mixed Usage
7.9

Office
8.2

Gaming
7. 9

Multimedia
8.0

Media Creation
7.3

HDR Gaming

+ Create your own

Updated Feb 03, 2021:
Review published.
Updated Jan 29, 2021:
Early access published.

Check Price

38″
AW3821DW

SEE PRICE

Amazon. de

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Test Results

Sort Category───────────RATINGSMixed UsageOfficeGamingMultimediaMedia CreationHDR Gaming

Category AllDesignPicture QualityMotionInputsFeatures

Design

Curved

Yes

Curve Radius

2300R

Weight (without stand)

17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)

Weight (with stand)

25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)

The Dell AW3821DW looks like most monitors in Dell’s Alienware lineup with a gamer-oriented design. It has a white body with black accents throughout, and there’s RGB lighting on the stand. It’s mostly made out of solid plastic and feels very well-built. It also has a subtle curve to make it easier to see the edges of the screen.

Width

23. 6″ (60.0 cm)

Depth

11.8″ (30.0 cm)

The stand supports the screen very well, especially for a monitor of this size. There isn’t much wobble, and you can slightly rotate the screen to make sure it’s leveled. Also, the wide-set feet allow you to place things in front.

Height Adjustment

5.1″ (13.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape

Swivel Range

-20° to 20°

Tilt Range

-21° to 5°

The Dell AW3821DW’s ergonomics are mediocre. It allows for some adjustments, but since it’s a large screen, you can’t place it in portrait mode. The screen rotates a bit so you can make sure it’s leveled.

Wall Mount

VESA 100×100

The back of the Dell AW3821DW looks like most Alienware models with a white back panel and black accents. It also has RGB lighting on the stand and the branding on the back panel. There’s cable management through the stand.

Borders

0.4″ (1.1 cm)

The borders are fairly thin and shouldn’t be distracting if you use it in a multi-monitor setup.

Thickness (with stand)

11.2″ (28.5 cm)

Thickness (without stand)

5.1″ (13.0 cm)

The Dell AW3821DW’s screen itself is thick due to the curved screen, and it gets much thicker with the stand attached. You need a deep desk to place it on if you still want space in front for your keyboard and mouse.

The Dell AW3821DW has excellent build quality. It’s capped entirely with solid plastic, and each component feels well-made. The panels fit well together, and there aren’t any obvious gaps in construction. The entire monitor feels heavy and sturdy, and the stand supports it very well.

Picture Quality

Native Contrast

883 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming

870 : 1

The Dell AW3821DW has a disappointing native contrast ratio. Blacks appear gray when viewed in the dark, which is expected from an IPS panel. It’s lower than the advertised 1000:1 contrast, but this may vary between units. It has a local dimming feature, but it actually makes the contrast worse in our test patterns because all the lighting zones remain on.

Local Dimming

Yes

Backlight

Edge

The Dell AW3821DW has a terrible edge-lit local dimming feature. It’s enabled automatically with HDR content, and you can’t disable it. It doesn’t help improve the already-low contrast ratio, and blacks still appear gray when viewed in the dark. It raises the black level and doesn’t crush any bright highlights. There are only a handful of vertical lighting zones, so an entire zone lights up when there’s a small light source, which can get distracting in dark scenes. The local dimming also causes uniformity issues, especially when only a few zones are lit. The zones are on when there are subtitles, which may be distracting in dark scenes, but it’s not as visible with most content. Fast-moving objects transition between zones quickly, but it’s noticeable when each zone turns on and motion looks jarring. Although the zones turn on quickly, they’re slow to turn off.

We tested the local dimming, which is called Variable Backlight, in ‘Mode 1’ because it has the quickest zone transitions and gets the brightest. ‘Mode 0’ results in a better contrast ratio and deeper blacks, but the zone transitions are more noticeable. On the other hand, ‘Mode 2’ looks similar to ‘Mode 1’, except the black level is raised even more. You can see the differences between each mode below:

Mode 0
Mode 1
Mode 2

SDR Real Scene

479 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window

483 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window

492 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window

494 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window

495 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window

495 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window

483 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window

492 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window

493 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window

495 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window

495 cd/m²

SDR ABL

0. 001

The Dell AW3821DW has impressive SDR peak brightness. It gets bright enough to combat glare in most well-lit environments. It also maintains its brightness consistent across different content; small highlights are a bit dimmer, but most people won’t notice any difference.

We tested the SDR peak brightness after calibration in the ‘Custom Color’ Picture Mode with Variable Backlight set to ‘Mode 1’.

HDR Real Scene

496 cd/m²

HDR Peak 2% Window

591 cd/m²

HDR Peak 10% Window

660 cd/m²

HDR Peak 25% Window

663 cd/m²

HDR Peak 50% Window

549 cd/m²

HDR Peak 100% Window

481 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 2% Window

476 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 10% Window

528 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 25% Window

536 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 50% Window

535 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 100% Window

468 cd/m²

HDR ABL

0. 010

The Dell AW3821DW has decent HDR peak brightness. It gets bright enough to make small highlights stand out in HDR content. However, it quickly loses its brightness the longer a bright object stays on the screen, and the screen is dimmer when large areas are lit.

We tested HDR peak brightness in the ‘Gamer 1’ Picture Mode with Smart HDR enabled and Variable Backlight set to ‘Mode 1’.

Color Washout From Left

41°

Color Washout From Right

41°

Color Shift From Left

54°

Color Shift From Right

55°

Brightness Loss From Left

46°

Brightness Loss From Right

47°

Black Level Raise From Left

25°

Black Level Raise From Right

22°

Gamma Shift From Left

36°

Gamma Shift From Right

32°

The Dell AW3821DW has a decent horizontal wide viewing angle, which is normal for an IPS panel. Colors remain accurate when viewing from the side, but you may notice that blacks look even grayer.

Color Washout From Below

34°

Color Washout From Above

30°

Color Shift From Below

40°

Color Shift From Above

32°

Brightness Loss From Below

37°

Brightness Loss From Above

32°

Black Level Raise From Below

70°

Black Level Raise From Above

70°

Gamma Shift From Below

39°

Gamma Shift From Above

32°

The Dell AW3821DW’s vertical viewing angle is decent. The image remains fairly accurate even if you mount it above eye-level.

50% Std. Dev.

2.416%

50% DSE

0.091%

5% Std. Dev.

0.323%

5% DSE

0.047%

The Dell AW3821DW has amazing gray uniformity. The top and bottom edges of the screen are only slightly darker, and there’s no dirty screen effect in the center. Uniformity is improved in near-dark scenes as well. Note that uniformity may vary between units.

Native Std. Dev.

1. 105%

Std. Dev. w/ L.D.

5.372%

Black uniformity is mediocre, but this may vary between units. Without local dimming, the entire screen looks gray, but there isn’t that much clouding or backlight bleed throughout. However, the local dimming feature actually makes uniformity worse because there’s more blooming around the center cross as the zones light up.

Picture Mode

Game 1

Luminance

501 cd/m²

Luminance Settings

100

Contrast Setting

RGB Controls

100-100-100

Gamma Setting

No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature

7,062 K

White Balance dE

3. 18

Color dE

3.38

Gamma

2.23

The out-of-the-box accuracy is decent, but this may vary between units. Most colors and white balance are a bit inaccurate, which still may be a bit hard to notice. Gamma follows the target curve fairly well, but most scenes are a bit darker than they should be. Sadly, the color temperature is colder than the 65000K target, giving the image a blue tint.

Picture Mode

Custom Color

Luminance

99 cd/m²

Luminance Settings

Contrast Setting

RGB Controls

100-100-92

Gamma Setting

No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature

6,528 K

White Balance dE

0. 49

Color dE

0.33

Gamma

2.18

The Dell AW3821DW’s accuracy after calibration is simply remarkable. Any remaining color inaccuracies can’t be spotted by the human eye, and the color temperature is extremely close to the 6500K target. Gamma still follows the target well, except some really dark and really bright scenes are over-brightened now.

You can download our ICC profile calibration here. This is provided for reference only and shouldn’t be used, as the calibration values vary per individual unit even for the same model due to manufacturing tolerances.

sRGB xy

99.7%

Adobe RGB xy

86. 6%

sRGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

The SDR color gamut is outstanding. It has perfect coverage of the sRGB color space used in most content, and photo editors should be pleased with the excellent Adobe RGB coverage.

sRGB In ICtCp

98.2%

Adobe RGB In ICtCp

91.1%

sRGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode

Custom Color

The Dell AW3821DW has a remarkable SDR color volume. It displays bright colors well thanks to its high peak brightness. However, it struggles with dark colors due to the low contrast ratio.

Wide Color Gamut

Yes

DCI P3 xy

88.5%

Rec. 2020 xy

70.4%

DCI P3 Picture Mode

Gamer 1

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode

Gamer 1

The Dell AW3821DW has a very good HDR color gamut, and it’s considered a wide color gamut. It has excellent coverage of the DCI P3 color space and decent coverage of the wider Rec. 2020.

Note that the DCI P3 coverage is lower than the advertised 95%. This is normal and is due to the way we measure DCI P3. We measure DCI P3 by sending a Rec. 2020 signal, but unlike most reviewers, we limit the colors to the DCI P3 primaries. This results in a lower, but arguably more accurate measurement.

DCI-P3 In ICtCp

87.9%

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp

73.7%

DCI P3 Picture Mode

Gamer 1

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode

Gamer 1

The Dell AW3821DW’s HDR color volume is great. It displays most colors at a wide range of luminance levels. However, it struggles with really dark and really bright colors due to the low contrast and only decent HDR peak brightness.

IR After 0 Min Recovery

0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery

0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery

0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery

0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery

0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery

0.00%

There are no signs of temporary image retention after displaying a high-contrast static image. Note that this may vary between units.

Color Depth

10 Bit

The Dell AW3821DW’s gradient handling is exceptional. You shouldn’t notice any signs of banding in real content. Note that you can only achieve a max refresh rate of 120Hz over DisplayPort and 60Hz over HDMI with a 10-bit signal.

Pixel Row Error

0.000%

Pixel Column Error

0.004%

There aren’t any signs of color bleed on the Dell AW3821DW.

Screen Finish

Matte

Total Reflections

6. 8%

Indirect Reflections

3.2%

Calculated Direct Reflections

3.6%

The Dell AW3821DW has okay reflection handling. It performs well in most dim or fairly-lit rooms, but the reflections may become too distracting if there’s a direct light source on it.

Sub-Pixel Layout

RGB

The text clarity is good. Enabling ClearType (top photo) improves the appearance of diagonal lines, like on R, N, G, and S, but straight lines aren’t as bold, as seen on the letters T and I.

Motion

Best Overdrive Setting

Fast

Rise / Fall Time

2. 9 ms

Total Response Time

10.2 ms

Overshoot Error

12.4%

Dark Rise / Fall Time

3.2 ms

Dark Total Response Time

9.9 ms

Dark Overshoot Error

12.4%

Overdrive Setting	Response Time Chart	Response Time Tables	Motion Blur Photo
Fast	Chart	Table	Photo
Super Fast	Chart	Table	Photo
Extreme	Chart	Table	Photo

The response time at its max refresh rate of 144Hz is excellent, and motion looks extremely smooth. The recommended overdrive setting is ‘Fast’ because it has the fastest total response time and the least amount of overshoot. There’s visible ghosting with the ‘Super Fast’ and ‘Extreme’ settings. If you want a monitor with a better response time, check out the LG 38GN950-B.

Best Overdrive Setting

Fast

Rise / Fall Time

3.8 ms

Total Response Time

15.2 ms

Overshoot Error

5.2%

Dark Rise / Fall Time

4.3 ms

Dark Total Response Time

15. 0 ms

Dark Overshoot Error

4.5%

Overdrive Setting	Response Time Chart	Response Time Tables	Motion Blur Photo
Fast	Chart	Table	Photo
Super Fast	Chart	Table	Photo
Extreme	Chart	Table	Photo

The Dell AW3821DW has an impressive response time at 60Hz. Motion remains smooth, and there’s less overshoot than at its max refresh rate. Once again, the recommended overdrive setting is ‘Fast’, so you don’t have to worry about changing the setting if the frame rate of your game drops. There’s significant overshoot and ghosting with the other settings.

Flicker-Free

Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency

0 Hz

The Dell AW3821DW has a flicker-free backlight, which helps reduce eye strain.

Black Frame Insertion (BFI)

No BFI

BFI Maximum Frequency

N/A

BFI Minimum Frequency

N/A

The Dell AW3821DW doesn’t have a Black Frame Insertion feature to clear up motion blur.

Native

144 Hz

Max Refresh Rate

144 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate

Yes

FreeSync

Compatible (Tested)

G-SYNC

Yes (Native)

VRR Maximum

144 Hz

VRR Minimum

< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors

DisplayPort, HDMI

The Dell AW3821DW has an outstanding native 144hz refresh rate. It has native G-SYNC support and you can achieve its full refresh rate range only over a DisplayPort connection. It’s also FreeSync compatible, but only over a DisplayPort connection. G-SYNC works between 20-85Hz over HDMI.

Note that Dell Canada’s website advertises a 120Hz max refresh rate over HDMI, while Dell USA’s website doesn’t make any mention of the max refresh rate over HDMI. However, we were able to reach a max of 85Hz at its native resolution over HDMI, and the only way to increase the refresh rate to 120Hz is by lowering the resolution.

Inputs

Native Resolution

4.4 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz

12.0 ms

Variable Refresh Rate

6. 1 ms

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz

14.4 ms

10 Bit HDR

N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI)

N/A

The Dell AW3821DW has an incredibly low input lag. Even though it slightly increases with VRR enabled, it shouldn’t make a difference for most people. We can’t measure the 10-bit HDR input lag because we don’t have the tools necessary to measure the HDR input lag over DP. We can also only achieve a 120Hz refresh rate over DP with a 10-bit signal. Over HDMI, we can only reach a max 10-bit refresh rate of 60Hz. That said, we don’t expect the input lag to significantly increase in HDR.

Native Resolution

3840 x 1600

Aspect Ratio

21:9

Megapixels

6. 1 MP

Pixel Density

111 PPI

Screen Diagonal

37.5″

Screen Area

498 in²

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW has a very large 38 inch screen with a high 3840×1600 resolution. It has the same number of horizontal pixels as a 4k monitor, but there are fewer vertical pixels. There’s enough screen real estate to open multiple windows at once.

DisplayPort

1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort

HDMI

2 (HDMI 2.0)

DVI

VGA

DisplayPort Out

USB

4 (USB 3.0)

USB C

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm

Microphone In 3.5mm

Digital Optical Audio Out

Analog Audio Out RCA

Power Supply

Internal

The four USB ports are advertised as USB 3. 2, which has the same bandwidth as USB 3.0, and one of them supports BC 1.2 fast charging. It also has a USB-B port that you can connect to your PC as an upstream port, allowing you to connect your mouse and keyboard to the monitor.

Features

RGB Illumination

Controllable

Speakers

HDR10

Yes

Multiple Input Display

The Dell AW3821DW has a few extra features, some of which are listed below:

RGB Lighting: There’s RGB lighting on the stand and on the Alienware branding on the back panel. You can control it through the AlienFX software, and there are a few options available through the on-screen display.
FPS Counter: Displays the current frame rate of your game.
Timer: Adds a timer on the screen.
Dark Stabilizer: Raises the gamma to make opponents more visible in shadows.
Display Alignment: Adds an overlay to help when aligning two or more monitors side-by-side.

There are five controls, including a joystick, on the right backside of the monitor to navigate the on-screen display.

DisplayPort cable
DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable
HDMI cable
USB-A to USB-B upstream cable
Power cable
User guides

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the Dell Alienware AW3821DW, which is only available in this size. There are similar monitors in Dell’s 2021 Alienware lineup, and you can see the differences between them below.

Model	Size	Panel	Resolution	Refresh Rate	VRR	Body Color	Curved
AW2521H	25″	IPS	1080p	360Hz	G-SYNC	Black	No
AW2521HF	25″	IPS	1080p	240Hz	FreeSync	Black	No
AW2521HFL	25″	IPS	1080p	240Hz	FreeSync Premium	White	No
AW2721D	27″	IPS	1440p	240Hz	G-SYNC	White	No
AW3821DW	38″	IPS	3840×1600	144Hz	G-SYNC	White	Yes

If someone comes across a different type of panel or their Dell Alienware AW3821DW doesn’t correspond to our review, let us know in the discussions and we’ll update the review. Note that some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

Our unit was manufactured in November 2020, and you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

The Dell AW3821DW is a great gaming monitor with a large 38 inch screen and high resolution. It has native G-SYNC support, and motion looks smooth thanks to its excellent response time. However, it’s on the pricey side, even for an ultrawide option, and there are 27 inch, 1440p options available with a higher refresh rate, like the Dell Alienware AW2721D. Also see our recommendations for the best ultrawide monitors, the best monitor sizes for gaming, and the best 4k monitors.

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The Samsung Odyssey G9 and the Dell AW3821DW are two great gaming monitors, but with different features. The Dell has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, making it easier to share your screen for co-op gaming. It also has native G-SYNC support and a quicker response time at its max refresh rate. The Samsung has a VA panel with a better contrast ratio, so it can display deeper blacks. It has a higher 240Hz refresh rate and native FreeSync support. Also, it has a much wider 49 inch screen and 5120×1440 resolution, making it a better choice for atmospheric gaming. Choosing one over the other really comes down to personal gaming preferences.

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The LG 38WN95C-W and the Dell AW3821DW are each very good overall monitors. They’re both 38 inch models with a 3840×1600 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The LG is mainly designed for office use, but it’s slightly better than the Dell for gaming because it has a quicker response time, resulting in clearer motion. It’s also slightly better for HDR gaming because it gets much brighter in HDR. However, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, the Dell may be a better choice for you because it has native G-SYNC support.

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The Dell Alienware AW3423DW is better than the Dell Alienware AW3821DW overall, and if you want something for gaming, it’s a better choice. The AW3423DW has better picture quality, a faster refresh rate, and better motion handling, making it a better choice for most uses. However, the AW3821DW does have native G-SYNC support, meaning you can use your NVIDIA graphics card to its full potential with this monitor.

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The LG 38GN950-B and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW are very similar overall. They’re both 38 inch, 21:9 IPS monitors with a 3840 x 1600 resolution. The LG is a native FreeSync model with G-SYNC compatibility, while the Dell is a native G-SYNC model with FreeSync compatibility. The LG’s refresh rate can be overclocked up to 160Hz, whereas the Dell is capped at 144Hz, and it has better response times than the Dell. The LG also has a better color gamut and higher peak brightness, resulting in a better HDR experience. The LG has wider viewing angles for sharing content or playing co-op games, but its ergonomics aren’t as good as the Dell’s because it doesn’t swivel at all.

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The LG 38GL950G-B and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW are two very good monitors. The LG is a bit better for gaming as its 144Hz refresh rate can be overclocked to 175Hz. The LG’s response time is also much quicker, resulting in smoother motion. On the other hand, the Dell feels better-built and offers better ergonomics, including swivel adjustments, making it easier to place in an ideal viewing position.

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The Dell Alienware AW2721D is a bit better for gaming than the Dell Alienware AW3821DW, mainly because the AW2721D has a higher 240Hz refresh rate. The AW2721D also has a quicker response time, even at 60Hz, which results in smoother motion, and it has better ergonomics as you can rotate it into portrait mode. However, the AW3821DW delivers a more immersive gaming experience thanks to its larger 38 inch screen, and it has a higher 3840×1600 resolution that delivers crisp images.

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The Dell Alienware AW3821DW and the Dell Alienware AW3420DW are two ultrawide gaming monitors with G-SYNC support. They have similar gaming performance with a quick response time and low input lag, but the AW3821DW has a higher 144Hz refresh rate. The AW3821DW also supports HDR, has a larger 38 inch screen compared to the AW3420DW’s 34 inches, and it’s a better choice for use in bright rooms as it gets bright enough to combat glare. However, the AW3420DW offers better ergonomics because it has a wider swivel range, making it easier to place in an ideal viewing position.

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The LG 34GP950G-B is slightly better than the Dell Alienware AW3821DW. The LG has a slightly faster refresh rate and a much faster response time, with significantly less overshoot. The Dell, on the other hand, has better ergonomics, it feels better-built, and it has better connectivity, with an additional HDMI port and two extra USB ports.

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The Dell Alienware AW3821DW is better overall than the Dell U3818DW, mainly because it has a lot more gaming features. The AW3821DW has a native 144Hz refresh rate and it has G-SYNC support, while the AW3818DW is limited to 60Hz and doesn’t have VRR support. The AW3821DW’s much quicker response time results in smooth motion, and it supports HDR. However, the AW3818DW is designed as a productivity monitor and has a few more office-oriented features such as Picture-in-Picture/Picture-by-Picture modes as well as a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.

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The LG 34GP83A-B and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW are very similar overall. The LG has slightly better gaming performance because it has a higher refresh rate and better response times. However, the Dell delivers a better HDR experience due to its wider color gamut and higher peak brightness. The biggest difference between them is that the LG is compatible with FreeSync and G-SYNC, while the Dell is a native G-SYNC monitor with FreeSync compatibility. The Dell has a bigger screen and a higher resolution, but it comes out to roughly the same pixel density as the LG.

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The Gigabyte M27Q and the Dell Alienware AW3821DW are both great gaming monitors, but they’re also quite different. The Gigabyte is a 27 inch model with a 16:9 aspect ratio, while the Dell is a 38 inch ultrawide with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The Gigabyte provides smoother gameplay because it has a higher refresh rate and a quicker response time. However, the Dell is a good choice if you want better immersion. It also gets brighter to deliver a better HDR experience.

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The Dell Alienware AW3821DW and the Dell UltraSharp U4021QW are both great for their intended purposes, with different advantages and disadvantages. They’re both ultrawide monitors from Dell, but the Alienware is intended for gaming while the UltraSharp is meant for productivity. The Alienware has a high refresh rate, faster response times, and VRR support, while the UltraSharp offers a higher resolution, exceptional text clarity, and wider viewing angles.

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Alienware AW3821DW Review: Smooth, Curved, Slick Ultrawide

Tom’s Hardware Verdict

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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Pros

+
+ Bright and saturated image
+
+ Accurate color
+
+ Solid gaming performance
+
+ Good styling, build quality

Bigger is better. We’ve all heard that phrase applied to a multitude of things, and it certainly holds true for gaming monitors. Today’s games create incredibly realistic worlds that reproduce everything in exquisite and meticulous detail. There is no better way to enjoy that detail than with a large monitor. We may all be wearing VR goggles someday, but until then, you either have a jumbo screen or want a jumbo screen.

We’ve reviewed plenty of the best gaming monitors in the 34 and 35-inch ultrawide category, and now a new category is emerging: the 38-inch ultrawide. We recently reviewed, for example, Acer’s Predator X38 and found it supremely engaging. But you’d rather try Alienware’s take on the 38-inch ultrawide, the Alienware AW3821DW ($1,425 as of writing) might be the one.

It’s an IPS screen with a 2300R curvature, a 144 Hz refresh rate, 3840 x 1600 resolution, plus 10-bit DCI-P3 color and VESA’s mid-tier HDR support certification (DisplayHDR 600). Wrapped in Alienware’s unique styling, it’s a package that looks as good as it performs.

If you’re looking for comparisons to the Acer Predator X38, we’ve included its test results in our charts. Functionally, it is identical to the AW3821DW except for its higher 175 Hz refresh rate. And at this writing, the Predator X38 sells for around $300 more . Has Alienware delivered a viable alternative? We’re about to see.

Alienware AW3821DW at Dell for $1,349.99

Alienware AW3821DW Specs

Panel Type / Backlight	IPS / W-LED, edge array
Screen Size, Aspect Ratio & Curve	38 inches / 21:9
	Curve radius: 2300mm
Max Resolution & Refresh Rate	3840×1600 @ 144 Hz
	G-Sync Ultimate: 24-144 Hz
Native Color Depth & Gamut	10-bit / DCI-P3
	DisplayHDR 600, HDR10
Response Time (GTG)	1ms
Max Brightness	SDR: 450 nits
	HDR: 600 nits
Contrast	1,000:1
Speakers	None
Video Inputs	1x DisplayPort 1. 4
	2x HDMI 2.0
Audio	2x 3.5mm output
USB 3.2	1x up, 4x down
Power Consumption	41.2w, brightness @ 200 nits
Panel Dimensions WxHxD w/base	35.2 x 17.5-22.5 x 11.6 inches (894 x 445-572 x 295mm)
Panel Thickness	5.1 inches (130mm)
Bezel Width	Top/sides: 0.4 inch (10mm)
	Bottom: 0.6 inch (16mm)
Weight	26.7 pounds (12.1kg)
Warranty	3 years

The AW3821DW’s 3840 x 1600 pixels could be called WQHD plus or, perhaps, WUHD minus, but whatever the term, pixel density is relatively high at 111 pixels per inch (ppi_. That’s closer to a 27-inch 1440p (2560 x 1440), which is 109ppi. More importantly though, the AW3821DW’s pixel density is roughly equal to a 3440×1440, 34-inch panel. So, you get the same density in a larger screen.

The AW3821DW adds to its premium status with G-Sync Ultimate certification, working with Nvidia graphics cards from 24-144 Hz with HDR. It also proved to be FreeSync-compatible in our tests, though it has not been certified by AMD. You’ll have to use the DisplayPort 1.4 input to hit 144 Hz signals or use (unofficial) FreeSync. The HDMI 2.0 inputs support up to 85 Hz at full resolution and 120 Hz at 2560 x 1440.

HDR10 signals are accepted through either input with a peak brightness of over 600 nits. The AW3821DW also has a variable backlight feature that works by modulating the edge array in vertical zones. It isn’t as effective as a full-array (FALD) backlight but will improve contrast for both SDR and HDR content.

Assembly and Accessories

The substantial base and upright come out of the box first and are mated with a captive bolt. Then you snap the huge panel in place. Note the electrical contacts, which provide juice for the LED lighting in the upright.

There is a 100mm VESA mount pattern on the panel for which fasteners are provided. Nice quality cables are included for power, HDMI, USB and two DisplayPort cables. You also get an input panel cover to tidy things up around back.

Product 360

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Dell)

The AW3821DW is a very large monitor with a deep base and an upright that holds the panel firmly in place. You’ll need to devote plenty of space to accommodate its over 35-inch width and nearly 12-inch depth. Movements are smooth and sure with 20-degree swivel to each side, 5.1 inches of height and a -5/21-degree tilt adjustment.

On-screen display (OSD) controls are around the back right with four keys and a joystick for easy and intuitive navigation. The power button is also the power LED and protrudes slightly from the bottom right corner. At the top center is a room light sensor, which can vary the monitor’s brightness according to ambient light. We left this off during benchmark testing because it alters the results unpredictably.

Styling is distinctly Alienware-themed with a matte white finish on the back, upright and base. It isn’t reflective nor is it the brightest white. Features like the large “38” and “Alienware” markings are subtly molded into the panel and upright. The RGB lighting is mainly on the upright with a long ring that finishes a rearward taper. The OSD has many customization options for changing the color and effect of the RGB color. Aienware’s alien head graphic also adorns the panel with RGB matching that of the upright. The small LED bar on the bottom casts a soft glow upon the desktop. All surfaces that face you, including the screen, which has a relatively thin flush bezel, are matte black and non-reflective.

Tilting the panel all the way back reveals two USB ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack under the front-center of the screen lit by an LED bar. This is super-convenient for peripherals that you might hook up just for gameplay then put away for work. Two more USB downstream and one upstream port are on the input panel, which is tucked up in the extreme. We had to plug cables in by feel. You also get two HDMI 2.0 and one DisplayPort 1.4.

OSD Features

Pressing the AW3821DW’s joystick brings up a large and well-optioned OSD. There are eight sub-menus that control just about everything, including the RGB effects.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The Game sub-menu offers 12 picture modes in total, nine of which are fixed presets. The three Game modes are adjustable for six-color saturation and hue, along with independent overdrive settings.

Custom Color has RGB controls to adjust grayscale. Standard is the default mode and delivers reasonably accurate color with a slightly cool but acceptable grayscale. For HDR signals, all the modes are available, and you can calibrate in the Custom Color mode.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Game Enhance Mode includes a countdown timer and framerate counter, along with display alignment marks if you can fit more than one AW3821DW on your desk. There are no aiming points though, which is an unusual omission.

Response time is a three-level overdrive that’s effective at reducing blur. You can bump up to its middle settings without seeing ghosting. Meanwhile, dark stabilizer increases shadow detail visibility at the expense of black level. The AW3821DW doesn’t have great black levels to start with, so we suggest leaving this one alone.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

Though the AW3821DW is an edge-lit monitor, it has a variable backlight control, which helps increase contrast. That variable backlight has three modes that vary in speed. Mode 0 makes the fastest transitions. Its effectiveness depends on the content you’re viewing, but the image can look a little better when turned on. It also substantially increased measured contrast in HDR mode; although, it wasn’t a necessity.

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

AlienFX Lighting refers to the RGB effects that you can find in four places on the monitor. Zone 1 is a small Alienware head in the back that’s raised from the surface. Zone 2 is on the stand. It’s the long ring on the back of the upright. Zone 3: is the small bar near the USB and headphone jacks. And Zone 4:, is the power button. The LEDs can breathe or remain steady, and you can choose one of 20 different colors for the four zones. You can customize the effects further with the AlienFX desktop app.

Alienware AW3821DW Calibration Settings

The AW3821DW is fairly accurate in its default Standard mode, but grayscale tracking could be better. For that, we switched to Custom Color mode to access the RGB sliders. The improvement was both measurable and visible with better saturation and punch after calibration. The RGB settings also work in HDR mode so we recommend using Custom Color for all signals.

The only thing missing here is an sRGB mode. All content is viewed using the monitor’s full native gamut which covers just over 90% of DCI-P3.

Here are our recommended calibration settings for the Alienware AW3821DW.

Picture Mode	Custom Color
Brightness 200 nits	43
Brightness 120 nits	22
Brightness 100 nits	16
Brightness 80 nits	11
Brightness 50 nits	4 (min. 44 nits)
Contrast	75
Color Temp User	Red 100, Green 99, Blue 92

Gaming and Hands-on

Our first impression of the AW3821DW is that it is very colorful with a nicely saturated image that’s bright and sharp. It also filled the peripheral vision at a 2-3-foot viewing distance with no head turning required. We observed this when reviewing the Acer X38 as well. The 2300R curve and 38-inch size is ideal for an immersive view, no matter the content.

Working in Windows was no different than using a flat screen. The curve is gentle, so there was no image distortion to cause distraction. It was easy to have two or three documents open at once, and there’s enough height to view a full page in a word processor. Web browsing on the AW3821DW doesn’t require as much scrolling as a 34-inch ultrawide screen does.

Turning to Tomb Raider, we enjoyed reasonable contrast when using the Variable Backlight, but it didn’t have a lot of impact. We could see slightly darker blacks and slightly brighter highlights, but the Predator X38’s backlight is more dramatic, as it modulates the backlight more aggressively. Still, using the AW3821DW’s Variable Backlight improved image quality slightly, since the AW3821DW’s native contrast is a bit below average.

Color looked fantastic in this game. Even though the monitor’s color gamut is oversaturated for SDR content, accuracy kept Tomb Raider from looking overblown. Earth tones had a nice warmth, while metal retained just the right coldness. The greens of the jungle looked vibrant and natural.

Trying out the different overdrive settings proved that the middle option was best. The fastest choice caused quite a bit of ghosting, (which, interestingly, did not show up in Blur Busters test patterns). Definitely stick with the middle setting. G-Sync Ultimate worked without issue at 144 Hz when run on a GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card, and we also tested the monitor with a Radeon RX 5700 XT respectively. Framerates stayed at 144 frames per second (fps) on both platforms.

Turning on HDR in Windows made the picture a little brighter but not so much that we couldn’t leave it on for workday tasks. It didn’t make as great a difference in black levels though. Overall contrast looked a little better, but the improvement is more in the highlights than the shadow areas.

Loading up an HDR copy of Call of Duty: WWII, showed a better image, mainly in the brighter zones. Highlights popped nicely with things like glinting sunlight looking particularly strong. But shadow detail, though easy to see, was more a dark gray than black. The Variable Backlight feature is more aggressive at making highlights stronger than it is at making shadows darker. Unlike the best HDR monitors, shifting to HDR mode didn’t bring a dramatic improvement to the image, but it did improve somewhat. We’d give the Acer X38 the edge in HDR quality.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom’s Hardware US. He’s a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors.

Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review 2022: All You Must Know

Design:

(5.0)

Display:

(4.7)

Performance:

(4.7)

Price/Value:

(3.5)

4.5

See Price

If you’re after a 38″ ultrawide gaming monitor, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW is the only model that offers both a native G-SYNC module and DisplayHDR 600 certification, yet it is competitively priced. Here’s what you need to know about it and its alternatives.

Image Quality

Based on a Nano IPS panel, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW monitor delivers vibrant colors, covering over 95% of the DCI-P3 color space.

Its gamut is equivalent to ~131% sRGB, which provides rich and saturated colors with improved shade variety, especially with reds and greens.

Alas, Dell/Alienware didn’t include an sRGB emulation mode that could restrict the panel’s wide color gamut to ~100% sRGB for an accurate color representation of sRGB content (most games and web content).

This means that most of the content you see will be over-saturated. Some users might prefer this extra color vibrancy, but it’s not the intended look by creators.

Alternatively, if you have an AMD graphics card, you can clamp the gamut via the Radeon software by enabling ‘Custom Color.’ For NVIDIA users, there’s a third-party tool called novideo_srgb that does the same (and more).

Apart from that, the colors are vibrant, precise, and consistent across the entire screen and at all times thanks to the wide 178° viewing angles of the IPS technology.

Moving on, thanks to the monitor’s high 3840×1600 resolution, details and text are crystal-clear and you get plenty of screen space.

On the 37.5″ viewable screen, you get a pixel density of ~110 PPI (pixels per inch), which many consider to be the sweet spot as you don’t have to use any scaling yet you get a lot of screen real estate and a crisp picture.

Note that such high resolution is quite demanding to drive, so check some benchmarks of your CPU/GPU at 3840×1600 to see if you’ll get a satisfactory frame rate in your favorite games.

The ultrawide resolution also provides you with a more immersive gaming experience as you get a wider field of view (in supported games). 21:9 movies (2.35:1 or 2.39:1 to be precise) will also look great, without black borders at the top and bottom of the screen.

16:9 videos and unsupported games will have black bars at the sides of the screen, though. Alternatively, you can stretch or crop/zoom the image to fill the screen.

For reference, a 38″ ultrawide display is almost as tall as a regular 32″ monitor (30″ exactly) but ~20% wider.

The Dell AW3821DW has a strong 450-nit peak brightness, which gets a boost up to 600-nits when watching HDR (High Dynamic Range) content for more vivid and punchy highlights.

Additionally, there are 32 dimming zones that can dim parts of the image that need to be dark without greatly affecting parts of the screen that should remain bright.

This can make HDR content appear significantly more immersive, but since there are only 32 zones across the entire 38″ screen and since the native contrast ratio is mediocre at 1,000:1, only some HDR scenes with bright and dark objects far apart will look notably better.

In other words, you’re not getting the ‘true’ HDR viewing experience. Some HDR content will look much better, some will look worse, and some will be just okay.

Another thing to keep in mind about IPS panel monitors is IPS glow. It’s characterized as a visible ‘glow’ around the corners of the screen. It’s mostly noticeable when watching really dark scenes in a dark room with high brightness setting.

The amount of IPS glow varies across different units of monitors, just like other defects, such as backlight bleeding, dead/stuck pixels, etc., but in most cases, it’s tolerable or negligible.

Performance

What drawbacks the Dell Alienware AW3821DW has regarding image quality, it makes up for when it comes to performance.

To start with, the monitor has imperceptibly low input lag at just ~4ms, while its 1ms GtG pixel response time speed is quick enough to eliminate ghosting behind fast-moving objects across the entire refresh rate range, without adding any noticeable overshoot.

There are three response time overdrive modes: Fast, Super Fast, and Extreme. We recommend sticking with the ‘Fast’ option, as the other two modes add too much inverse ghosting.

The monitor has a native G-SYNC module, which prevents screen tearing and stuttering up to 144FPS by providing you with a variable refresh rate (VRR) if you have a compatible graphics card (GTX 650 Ti Boost or newer).

As it uses one of the newer G-SYNC modules, variable refresh rate is also supported when using AMD graphics cards.

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW is branded as ‘G-SYNC Ultimate’, but unlike the initial several monitors with this certification, it doesn’t offer as good HDR image quality since it lacks full-array local dimming (FALD).

The G-SYNC Ultimate certification here simply implies that the monitor has a native G-SYNC module and ‘lifelike HDR.’

The first G-SYNC Ultimate certification requirements were much more demanding, including a 1,000-nit peak brightness and FALD, like the 384-zone or 512-zone FALD implementations of the ASUS PG27UQ and the Acer X35, respectively.

These two displays offer a much better (or ‘true’) HDR viewing experience, but they’re also more expensive due to the FALD solutions.

Features

The OSD (On-Screen Display) menu of the Dell AW3821DW is well-organized and easy to work with thanks to the directional joystick placed at the rear of the monitor.

Below the joystick, you’ll find four additional hotkeys, three of which can be assigned to different shortcuts, while the power button is placed beneath the bottom bezel of the screen.

Noteworthy features include various picture presets, such as Standard, FPS, MOBA/RTS, RPG, Sports, three customizable Game profiles, and ComfortView (applies a low-blue light filter).

The backlight of the monitor is flicker-free as it doesn’t use PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) to regulate brightness meaning that those sensitive to flickering won’t get headaches after prolonged use.

Under Game Enhance Mode, you’ll find a customizable on-screen timer, a refresh rate tracker, and Display Alignment for easier alignment of multiple windows.

Dark Stabilizer alters the gamma curvature for better visibility in dark scenes, while Variable Backlight adjusts the speed and effectiveness of the local dimming zones (Mode 0 for gameplay, Mode 1 for mixed-use, Mode 2 for desktop use, and ‘Off’).

Note that you can’t disable local dimming with HDR content, which is a shame since with some content, the local dimming solution can be more distracting than useful.

There’s also an ambient light sensor that will dynamically change the monitor’s brightness according to ambient lighting once enabled.

Other settings include the standard image adjustment tools (brightness, contrast, input source selection, etc.), but some advanced features are missing.

There are no gamma, sharpness, or hue/saturation settings – and there are only three color temperature modes (Warm, Cool, and Custom). You also won’t find Picture in Picture or Picture by Picture.

The RGB lighting settings, on the other hand, are plentiful.

The Alienware logo and LEDs across the back of the monitor’s stand can be customized to glow in various colors and patterns. You can customize these settings in the OSD menu or via the Alienware Command Center desktop application.

While the RGB lighting customization is generous, LEDs aren’t strong enough to reflect off of wall for atmospheric lighting – and you can’t sync it to on-screen video or audio.

Design & Connectivity

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW boasts premium build quality and a versatile stand with up to 130mm height adjustment, -5°/21° tilt, +/- 20° swivel, and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.

Further, the screen has a matte anti-glare screen coating that prevents reflections, while the subtle 2300R curvature adds to the immersion.

Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a headphone jack, an audio line-out port for external speakers, and a quad-USB 3.0 hub.

Note that HDMI 2.0 is limited to 85Hz at 3840×1600.

For 10-bit color depth at 3840×1600 over DisplayPort 1.4, you’ll need to use chroma subsampling at 144Hz or lower the refresh rate to 120Hz.

Unlike the other 38″ ultrawide gaming monitors based on the same panel with G-SYNC, the Dell Alienware AW3821DW doesn’t offer a factory-overclocked refresh rate, though you could try overclocking it manually.

The G-SYNC module also has a cooling fan, which depending on the unit and your personal sensitivity, can be somewhat noisy.

Price & Similar Monitors

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW goes for $1300, which makes it the most affordable and the best 38″ ultrawide gaming monitor available!

There are two more 38″ G-SYNC models, the Acer X38P and the LG 38GL950G. They go for ~$1,800, have an sRGB mode, and feature a factory-overclocked 175Hz refresh rate but have a weaker DisplayHDR 400 certification.

There’s also the LG 38GN950 with AMD FreeSync and DisplayHDR 600 that goes for ~$1,600 (though it’s sometimes inflated/overpriced at ~$1,900), as well as the Thunderbolt 3 variant, the LG 38WN95C, going for ~$1,200 on sale. These two models have fewer dimming zones though (12).

We recommend checking out the Dell AW3423DW at this price range.

It has a QD-OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio, a higher peak brightness, a wider color gamut and no backlight bleeding or similar artifacts. On top of that, it supports G-SYNC up to 175Hz and has instantaneous pixel response time, resulting in much better HDR image quality and gaming performance.

Conclusion

The Dell Alienware AW3821DW offers an immersive and responsive gaming experience at a reasonable price.

Thanks to its low input lag, quick response time, high refresh rate and G-SYNC, you can enjoy smooth gameplay without any visual artifacts, while the vibrant colors, big screen with high resolution and strong peak brightness with local dimming take the picture quality to the next level.

While it can’t be factory-overclocked like the other G-SYNC models, we find that 144Hz is plenty at 3840×1600, and the difference between 144Hz and ~170Hz would be hardly noticeable anyway.

However, if you don’t mind having a smaller display, the Dell AW3423DW offers a much better HDR image quality and performance for the same price.

Specifications

Screen Size	37.5-inch
Screen Curvature	2300R
Resolution	3840×1600 (UWQHD+)
Panel Type	Nano IPS
Aspect Ratio	21:9 (UltraWide)
Refresh Rate	120Hz – 10-bit color depth 144Hz – 8-bit color depth or 4:2:2 chroma
Response Time	1ms (GtG)
Adaptive-Sync	G-SYNC (30-144Hz) *Supports FreeSync over DP
Ports	DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0
Other Ports	Headphone Jack, 4x USB 3.0, Audio Line-out
Brightness	450 cd/m²
Brightness (HDR)	600 cd/m²
Contrast Ratio	1000:1 (static)
Colors	1. 07 billion (8-bit + FRC) 95% DCI-P3
HDR	DisplayHDR 600
Local Dimming	32-zone (edge-lit)
VESA	Yes (100x100mm)

The Pros:

Big screen with a high resolution
Vibrant and accurate colors
Quick response time speed
G-SYNC up to 144Hz
Plenty of additional gaming features
Ergonomic stand, USB ports
DisplayHDR 600

The Cons:

IPS glow and low contrast ratio, as expected from this panel technology
No sRGB mode
Missing some OSD features, such as PiP/PbP and gamma settings
G-SYNC module fan might be noisy to some users running extra-quiet builds

Alienware AW3821DW Review | Trusted Reviews

Verdict

The Alienware AW3821DW gaming monitor looks great, offers a solid range of features and it produces bright, breezy imagery that makes games pop. But its lack of great contrast means that it doesn’t display a huge amount of depth, and it’s not very good at HDR. As such, you’ll find more nuance and realism elsewhere.

Pros

Accurate, bright colours
Robust and good-looking design
Great resolution and width
A solid selection of features

Cons

Underwhelming contrast
Unsubtle in HDR mode
Expensive

Key Features

Display:Large 38-inch 3840 x 1600 display
Refresh rate:Speedy 144Hz for smooth fast-paced action
Response timeRapid 1ms response time ensures minimal delay

Introduction

The Alienware AW3821DW is the largest and most expensive monitor sold by Dell’s high-end gaming brand, and that heaps plenty of pressure on this display’s broad shoulders.

This panel fights back with a powerful specification. The 38in widescreen panel has a huge resolution of 3840 x 1600, and it combines that with eye-catching Alienware design and Nvidia G-Sync support.

Price and availability

The Alienware AW3821DW isn’t cheap. In the UK, you’ll have to fork out £1299, and in the US it will set you back $1425. In Europe, it costs €1399.

If you want this sort of hardware in a smaller design, then Alienware also produces the AW3420DW. It’s another 21:9 panel with a slightly smaller resolution of 3440 x 1440, and it costs £900 / $1139 / €999 – not cheap, but more manageable than the 38in model reviewed here.

The Alienware’s most significant rival right now is the LG UltraGear 38GN950. Both 38in displays share the majority of key attributes, but the LG is surprisingly more expensive than the Alienware – it costs £1498 / $1799 / €1799.

A good-looking, sturdy and impressive exterior
A broad range of adjustability options and features
The size, resolution and curve are immersive and well balanced

The AW3821DW pairs its 38in diagonal with an aspect ratio of 21:9 and a resolution of 3840 x 1600. That’s a superb starting point for immersive gaming: the same number of horizontal pixels as a 4K panel means plenty of room for games to spread out. I like that vertical figure, too: it’s more pixels than the 32:9 widescreens that are popular right now, and more than 1080p and 1440p displays. It means games won’t feel cramped, which is a common pitfall on other widescreens.

You’ll only want to look towards 32:9 panels if you play racing games, where extra width is beneficial, and you’ll only get a crisper display with a 4K monitor.

The only other big downside to the Alienware’s resolution is the requirement for a hefty graphics card, such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, and something more powerful wouldn’t go amiss. This display isn’t quite as demanding as a 4K panel or the biggest 32:9 displays, but it isn’t far off.

The Alienware has a 2300R curve, which is subtle – sometimes, it’s hard to notice at all. It’s the same radius as the LG, and it makes the sides and corners easier to see. However, it’s a slight radius by modern standards, and screens with designs between 1000R and 1800R are arguably more immersive.

The underlying panel is an IPS display that supports 10-bit colour, and it offers a 1ms response time. It supports Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate at 144Hz, and it’s compatible with AMD FreeSync over DisplayPort.

You’ll only be able to use 10-bit colour if you drop this display down to a refresh rate of 120Hz or below, but that’s not a big deal – the difference isn’t noticeable in gaming, so running at 8-bit and 144Hz is the better option. If you use HDMI, this display peaks at 85Hz unless you lower the resolution.

Also bear in mind that the less-than-4K vertical resolution and the reliance on HDMI 2.0 rather than HDMI 2.1 means that the Alienware isn’t suitable for use with the next-gen consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Once I’d placed this big beast next to my gaming PC, though, it really did look the part. It’s built from good-looking black and white plastic, and there are customisable RGB LEDs on the rear of the stand, in the logo, and beneath the bottom bezel. Build quality is superb, with no movement and hardly any wobbling – but bear in mind that the AW3821DW is neither small nor light: its 11.5kg weight is significant, and it’s 300mm deep, so you’ll need plenty of desk space.

Beneath the bezel, you’ll find two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and there are two more around the rear. One port serves up fast-charging ability, and there’s a USB upstream port so you can connect to a PC and run peripherals through the display. The Alienware has a cable management cavity in the stand, a couple of audio jacks, and an on-screen display with a solid range of options and quick, easy navigation – alongside a snappy and responsive joystick on the rear.

The Alienware relies on a snapping stand mechanism and one tool-free screw in the base, so it’s very easy to build. It also offers 130mm of height adjustment, ample swivel and tilt movement, and 100mm VESA mounting support. That’s about as much adjustment as you’ll get from any widescreen.

This well-built monitor is easy to live with – outside of its large dimensions – although there are a couple of missing features. A USB-C port would have been welcome here, and there are no speakers.

The rival LG shares many of these attributes. That monitor is also an IPS display with the same resolution, curve, and 1ms response time, and it has the same issues with switching between 10-bit and 8-bit colour. The LG supports AMD FreeSync natively, but it’s also Nvidia G-Sync certified.

LG’s display is lighter than the Alienware, but it offers fewer adjustment options than the Alienware, and it has no USB ports.

Image quality

It’s smooth and sharp when rendering mainstream games
Reasonable colour accuracy in SDR modes
Mediocre contrast and a lack of HDR ability mean this display lacks depth

The Alienware AW3821DW delivers smooth, sharp gaming, and the 144Hz refresh rate is high enough to handle single-player games and mainstream eSports titles. You’ll only want a 240Hz or 360Hz display if you’re serious about high-level competition, and those monitors have smaller resolutions.

The synchronised 144Hz refresh rate delivers butter-smooth gaming in the biggest titles, and its response time performance was impressive – and it’s also possible to deploy the Fast overdrive mode without suffering ghosting. The display’s input lag sits way below 10ms, too, which is excellent.

I used a colorimeter to measure the Alienware’s performance out of the box, and it delivered reasonable colour accuracy. Its Delta E of 1.93 is great, and its colour temperature of 6851K is on the cool side but isn’t wayward enough to cause problems. The AW3821DW rendered 99.5% of the sRGB gamut at a stonking 131.6% volume, and it displayed the HDR-friendly DCI-P3 gamut with figures of 92.8% and 93.2%.

This display is uniform. In most screen segments, its backlight only deviated by less than 5%, which is great for a widescreen monitor. In the top-left corner the backlight declined by 16%, but that’s the only sector where the display had issues, and it isn’t a big deal.

The default brightness level of 225 nits is fine, but it’s paired with a black point of 0. 26 nits, and that’s too high. The resulting contrast ratio of 865:1 is mediocre for an IPS panel, and it means the Alienware lacks nuance. In particular, black shades are weak and often look grey.

The peak SDR brightness level sits at just under 500 nits, but at this level the contrast didn’t improve – and, similarly, things stayed a little washed-out and underwhelming with the brightness reduced to a more sensible everyday level.

The Alienware isn’t a particularly good HDR option either, despite its VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification. The black level does decline by a reasonable amount in HDR mode, and the brightness does improve to around 700 nits, but the Alienware only has a handful of edge-lit dimming zones. You can see an improvement to HDR content on this display – it’s certainly punchier – but it’s never subtle, and it rarely looks uniform.

Don’t rely on the FPS, RTS, RPG, and Sport modes, either. None of them improved the contrast ratio beyond the screen’s initial result, and they all made the panel’s Delta E worse. This display also can’t handle the Adobe RGB colour space – only capable of a mediocre 80.1% coverage level.

The rival LG screen adheres to the VESA DisplayHDR 600 colour gamut, too, and is also disappointing in HDR content – so neither panel excels in this regard. The LG does defeat the Alienware in key SDR areas, though: it displays better contrast and more accurate colours.

Conclusion

The Alienware AW3821DW looks fantastic, it’s sturdy and versatile, and it offers more features than its rival from LG. And when it comes to gaming, it’s certainly serviceable – the size and resolution are immersive, it’s smooth and sharp, and it produces bright, punchy images.

However, it doesn’t have the depth required to make games truly look their best, and it isn’t a great HDR option. The pricier LG is better here, although that display suffers from a relative dearth of features.

If you want a good-looking gaming widescreen with bright colour reproduction and plenty of features then the Alienware is worthwhile, but there are more suitable alternatives if you’d prefer more depth and realism in your imagery. Check out our Best Gaming Monitor list for more options.

Best Offers

Should you buy it?

You want a good-looking, bright and feature-packed display
The Alienware AW3821DW nails the basics with a bright picture and oodles of features. The 144Hz refresh rate makes it good for both single-player and multiplayer games too.

You’re searching for realistic colours, lots of depth and great HDR performance
While the AW3821DW is a great gaming monitor, its colour accuracy falls short for it to double up as a creator-focused panel. You’re also best off looking elsewhere if you want a top-notch HDR performance.

Verdict

Trusted Score

FAQs

What warranty does this monitor come with?

The Alienware is covered by a three-year warranty, which is one more year than is offered by the rival LG display.

How much movement does the Alienware offer?

The Alienware comes with 130mm of height adjustment, 40 degrees of swivel and 26 degrees of tilt, which is entirely normal for this class of display.

Full specs

‹

UK RRP

USA RRP

EU RRP

Manufacturer

Screen Size

Size (Dimensions)

Weight

ASIN

Release Date

First Reviewed Date

Resolution

HDR

Types of HDR

Refresh Rate

Ports

Display Technology

Screen Technology

Syncing Technology

Alienware AW3821DW

£1299

$1425

€1399

Alienware

38 inches

849.9 x 293.5 x 449. 7 MM

7.9 G

B08NF7V9HR

2021

21/05/2021

3840 x 1600

Yes

DisplayHDR 600

144 Hz

2x HDMI and DisplayPort

LCD

IPS

Nvidia G-Sync

›

Trusted Reviews’ Test data

‹

Brightness

Black level

Contrast

White Visual Colour Temperature

sRGB

Adobe RGB

DCI-P3

Delta Colour accuracy (Delta E)

Alienware AW3821DW

500 nits

0.26 nits

856:1

6851 K

98.5 %

80 %

91.8 %

1.93

›

Alienware AW3821DW gaming monitor review

Our Verdict

A pricey but ultimately excellent ultra wide for both gaming and work.

For

Color accurate and responsive panel
Great HDR and eye protection
Stunning design and build

Against

Too few Local dimming zones
No HDMI 2. 1 or USB-C
Slight ghosting at fastest response

For centuries, people have debated whether size matters. As far as the Alienware AW3821DW curved gaming monitor is concerned, it absolutely does. Coming in at a massive 37.5-inches in terms of the panel, and almost three feet wide, this $1,899 behemoth looks to assert itself as the apex predator of ultrawide gaming monitors.

The Alienware AW3821DW is the bigger, badder sequel to the outgoing 34-inch AW3421DW. It boasts a better Nano IPS WQHD panel with more vibrant and accurate colours up to 95% DCI-P3 and 130.6% sRGB color gamut. Even without fancy colorimeters, my graphic designer’s eye can easily confirm that things look much better and more accurate on this newer panel than the old 34-incher.

Also improved is the HDR over its predecessor—now supporting VESA DisplayHDR 600 and with edge-lit local dimming zones. My testing in different games and video showed great contrast, color vibrancy and details. However, the local dimming is just a few vertical zones and they can be glaringly obvious. I especially noticed this on black loading screens—you can see the distinct zones as the mouse moves across them.

Thankfully, this isn’t as visible in most content, and using the monitor’s different variable backlighting modes can help reduce this. Though that comes at the expense of contrast.

Content on the AW3821DW is stunning whether you are playing games, binging WandaVision episodes, or multitasking tons of apps. I finally played Ori & the Will of Wisps and good Lord, what an incredible experience ultrawide HDR is. The level of immersion is truly breathtaking and well worth the steep asking price. The increased field of view in games like Call of Duty Warzone, Apex Legends, or Fortnite is amazing. But sadly it didn’t make me any better at them.

AW3821DW specs

Screen size: 38-inch
Panel technology: NanoIPS
Native resolution: 3,840 x 1,600
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response time: 1ms
Contrast: 1,000:1
Brightness: 600 nits (typical)
Inputs: 2x HDMI 2. 0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
Other: G-Sync Ultimate, 4x USB 3.0 hub
MSRP: $1,899

The almost-4K resolution of 3840 x 1600 pixels, in a 21:9 aspect ratio, and refreshing at 144Hz with ultra high settings could break even the Nvidia RTX 3080 if you have one. Thankfully, the Alienware AW3821DW is rated for G-Sync Ultimate, so there’s no fear of stutters or tearing. Combined with the fast 1ms response time ensures smooth gaming all day. The monitor’s native refresh is 4ms but can overdrive to 2ms and 1ms, but it’s worth noting that does introduce some slight ghosting. Most will find the native 4ms perfectly fine.

Looking away from the panel, the AW3821DW sports the same gorgeous Legend industrial design of its predecessors. It comes in Alienware’s Lunar White colorway, with the signature O-ring RGB stand. The stand has a stupidly huge footprint, about two feet wide and a foot deep, that won’t suit smaller desks, but you can also VESA mount the monitor on a wall or arm. Should either be robust enough, that is.

Image 1 of 5

(Image credit: Kizito Katawonga)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Kizito Katawonga)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Kizito Katawonga)

The stand holds the panel’s 8kg easily, while also offering a wide range of motion with swivel, tilt and height adjustment. It has the obligatory cable management and the RGB lighting is excellent too. There are four customisable lighting zones which include the Alien head logo on the back, the stand, power button and a small strip in the bottom bezel. The lighting is bright enough to light up your surroundings in pitch dark but you won’t notice it during the day.

The massive size gives space to a wealth of ports. You get a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0, Audio out and four USB-A ports. It’s maybe disappointing that it doesn’t support HDMI 2.1 port for the next gen consoles, or even USB-C for a single cable setup with laptops.

Switching between devices is easy thanks to the intuitive OSD menu accessible via the context sensitive menu buttons on the back right of the monitor. The buttons are easy to find and tactile and will change function depending on what menu page you’re on.

One challenge I found is that, because the panel is so wide, reaching for the menu buttons is quite a chore and I have no idea why Dell doesn’t include a simple Windows OSD app like MSI. The app lives in Windows task centre and allows you to fiddle with the OSD using your mouse, which would be super convenient especially for such a huge monitor.

Still, Alienware has created one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors money can buy. It’s fixed a lot of the issues I had with the 34-inch model and whether you’re a gamer, designer, or accountant, this monitor has plenty to offer. If I had to complain, the lack of USB-C and HDMI 2.1 would be top of the list, followed by the wonky local dimming but beyond that, there’s little to really fault here.

Some might find the sheer size too much for their space but to them I’d say, look at Alienware’s equally excellent but smaller 27-inch model. But if size matters to you, and money is no object, this is too good an experience to pass up. And it’s also worth remembering… Dell often has great discounts.

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Alienware AW3821DW

A pricey but ultimately excellent ultra wide for both gaming and work.

Kizzy is the consummate geek, with black turtleneck design sensibilities, always on the hunt for the latest, greatest, and sexiest tech. He’s played Doom on the OG Pentium and still remembers how to hack a dial-a-phone. After four decades of being crazy about tech, he’s literally just getting started. It’s the age of the geek, baby!

Alienware 38 AW3821DW gaming monitor review

Laptop Mag Verdict

The Alienware 38 AW3821DW Curved Gaming Monitor offers a gorgeous curved display with an eye-opening 21:9 aspect ratio, but it is ridiculously expensive.

Cons

—
No speakers
—
Expensive

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Looking to expand your horizons? As long as you got wads of cash, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) will grace you with its gorgeous 37.5-inch, 21:9 display with a sharp 3840 x 1600-pixel resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1-millisecond response time.

So what’s wrong with this machine? Not much, really. Well, apart from the asking price of $1,899 (currently on sale for $1,425). Also, it doesn’t come outfitted with speakers, which is disappointing for a monitor this large and expensive.

As long as you have the cash and you don’t mind setting up your own audio solution, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) is easily one of the best gaming monitors around.

You better clear out some space on your desk because the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor is a thick boy. As you might have gathered from the “38” in its name, this Alienware is a 37.5-inch monitor that curves to wrap around most of your sightline with a 21:9 aspect ratio. Thanks to the aspect ratio, it’s sleek, but the stand gives the monitor a huge backside.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor’s bezels are relatively thin considering the size of the display. Still, there’s enough room to mount a webcam at the top without covering the screen. On the bottom bezel of the display is a white Alienware logo, and to the right, on the underside, lies the RGB-lit power button.

The back of the monitor features a clean, sci-fi-esque design with a stylized “38” on the right-hand side, and just above that is an RGB-lit Alienware logo. On the bottom left are five navigational inputs while the bottom center holds room for all of the ports.

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor features a V-shaped base at 11.6 inches long from back to front, so it takes up quite a bit of space. However, the base features a white Alienware logo as well as an RGB-lit infinity loop that gives the back a pleasing glow.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

Since this monster is big, there’s not a lot of room to move it around. It can tilt from +21 degrees to -5 degrees and swivel from +20 degrees to -20 degrees. There’s roughly 5.1 inches of free movement in terms of the height, making the monitor 17.7 to 22.8 inches tall. If you’re looking to mount this monitor on a wall, you can hook it up to a 100 x 100 millimeter VESA mount.

At 26.7 pounds and 35.2 inches x 11. 6 inches x 17.7 to 22.8 inches, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor doesn’t take up a lot of vertical space, but it’s certainly space-consuming when it comes to its width.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) installation and setup

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor comes in three main pieces, but it’s easy to put together.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

First, I screwed the stand base into the stand riser with a simple screw that was already attached to the base (no tools needed). I then clipped the stand riser into the back of the display with one easy motion; at that point everything was attached apart from the snap-on I/O cover.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) ports, cabling and interface

Unlike some monitors that turn 90 degrees to give you easy access to the ports, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor doesn’t move around so getting to the inputs you need can be a pain in the ass.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

From left to right, when facing the back, you’ll find the power connector, two HDMI 2. 0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, a USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, another USB Type-A port, a USB Type-B port, two USB Type-A ports and an audio-out jack. You can also hide the ports away with a plastic panel that snaps onto the back.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor comes with a DisplayPort cable, a Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable and a USB Type-B cable. I don’t think I’ve seen a Mini DisplayPort cable included with a monitor before, so that’s a pretty cool addition, as it’ll let you easily connect to your gaming laptop.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

You can navigate the interface via the buttons on the right side, but despite its size, there’s no included remote. The five buttons included: the joystick, the cancel button, the preset button, the brightness and contrast button, and the dark stabilizer button.

When navigating the menus, the first tab is the Game tab, which includes options for preset modes (FPS, MOBA/RTS, RPG, Sports, etc. ), game enhance mode (timer, frame rate, display alignment), response time, dark stabilizer and variable backlight. Then there’s the Brightness/Contrast tab. After that is Input Source, then AlienFX Lighting, which lets you customize the four RGB zones on the monitor. Finally, there’s the Audio tab, which just lets you adjust the volume, the Menu tab, which changes languages and smaller settings, and the Personalize tab, which lets you edit the shortcut keys.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) performance

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor boasts a 37.5-inch, 3840 x 1600 display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1-millisecond response time. This IPS panel also has HDR600 support and is compatible with Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

In Resident Evil Village, I was ambushed by a werewolf in said titular locale, and after popping off a few shots, its crimson blood squirted in incredible detail on the display. Despite the naturally muted colors that made up the area, the snow on the ground and the disheveled blue and red houses looked vibrant on the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor. The panel was also bright enough for me to see the smallest detail in the poorly lit house I was rummaging through. The 21:9 aspect ratio also suited the game amazingly well, giving me more visual room to work with.

I played some No Man’s Sky, and as I breached the atmosphere of a highly radioactive planet, the hazy purple clouds encompassed the horizon and popped on the display. What really immersed me in the moment was the bright orange glow of the interior of my ship as I was coasting over the planet before seeing something blue spark and crash in the distance. Thanks to the high refresh rate, I could also see a lot more objects and details than usual as I sped my way to the crash site and discovered some 18-syllable material.

In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, I ran across the mossy battlefield and spilt black orcish blood all over the ground, and it looked like I was painting on a lively canvas. When I was challenged by a flaming orc, the orange and red fires that were singeing his skin looked incredibly bold. When I found my way into a dark hallway, the flickering torchlight around me was the only thing illuminating the area, but the display was bright enough to compensate and detail the area I was in.

The best settings for my play time were Preset: FPS, Brightness: 100, Contrast: 75, Dark Stabilizer: 0, and Variable Backlight: Off. I liked FPS over the other presents because it presented nice warm colors. But if you are not a fan, you could use one of the Game presets that let you configure the color yourself.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) lab testing

As you might imagine, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor scored remarkably well on our benchmarks, although I’m not so sure it makes up for its price.

(Image credit: Rami Tabari)

The Alienware AW3821DW averaged 486 nits of brightness on SDR settings, toppling the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ (355 nits) and the Alienware AW5520QF (400 nits). With HDR turned on, the Alienware AW3821DW averaged 531 nits at the center of the display. Keep in mind that is an isolated test and doesn’t calculate for real-world use, as HDR can automatically adjust the monitor’s brightness.

I knew this baby was bursting with color when I saw it for the first time, and the benchmarks back me up, with the Alienware AW3821DW covering 118.9% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It soared past both the Alienware AW5520QF (100.5%) and the Strix XG27UQ (108%).

When it comes to the sRGB range, the Alienware AW3821DW covered a blistering 167.9% of the sRGB color gamut, which destroys the the Strix XG27UQ (152%) and the Alienware AW5520QF (141.9%).

As far as color accuracy goes, the Alienware AW3821DW has a Delta-E of 0.27 (closer to zero is better). It’s roughly the same as the Strix XG27UQ (0.28) and Alienware AW5520QF (0.27).

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) is an excellent monitor for gaming as much as it is for productivity thanks to how much screen real estate it offers. Between the vivid colors and vibrant brightness, it could be hard to say no to this particular monitor. But it’s just not affordable for most gamers, so only those who are able to save and invest will get to experience this panel.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ, which is a 27-inch, 4K monitor that keeps its price just under quadruple digits.

Otherwise, if you have the cash and love curved screen with wide aspect ratios, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) is a great monitor.

Rami Tabari is an Editor for Laptop Mag. He reviews every shape and form of a laptop as well as all sorts of cool tech. You can find him sitting at his desk surrounded by a hoarder’s dream of laptops, and when he navigates his way out to civilization, you can catch him watching really bad anime or playing some kind of painfully difficult game. He’s the best at every game and he just doesn’t lose. That’s why you’ll occasionally catch his byline attached to the latest Souls-like challenge.

Test and Review: Alienware AW3821DW — Immersive Large Gaming Display

The Alienware AW3821DW promises top-notch gaming immersion with a 38-inch 21:9 aspect ratio nano IPS panel, but there’s no compromise on speed either: it supports 144 refresh rates Hz and G-Sync Ultimate. Let’s see how the display will show itself in practice.

38-inch monitors are still quite rare, unlike 34-inch monitors. Although 49-inch models attract the attention of many gamers, since they have already moved to the second generation, and immersion with such a diagonal is as deep as possible. But they are quite expensive, so Alienware AW3821DW can be called a good alternative. The monitor is noticeably larger than the 34-inch models, which improves immersion, but there is also more height space, which is already useful for work scenarios. The curvature of the panel also has a positive effect on immersion, although the radius of 2.300 mm is relatively large for a modern gaming model.

The

Alienware AW3821DW offers other interesting features besides the large diagonal. In particular, you should pay attention to the panel. Alienware, a subsidiary of Dell, chose a nano-IPS panel made by LG. The DCI-P3 color gamut is 95% closed, but we will check this statement in practice. The maximum refresh rate is 144Hz, G-Sync-Ultimate and DisplayHDR 600 are supported.

As you would expect from an Alienware product, the 38-inch monitor has a stylish design and backlight.

Alienware AW3821DW Monitor sells from 250.000 ₽. Compared to 34-inch models, the overpayment is very significant.

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Specification Overview Alienware AW3821DW
Retail price:	from 250.000 ₽
Warranty:	36 months
Diagonal:	38″
Curvature	2.300 mm
Colour:	White, black
Format:	21:9
Panel:	Nano-IPS
Look up Table:	10 Bit
Glossy panel:	No
Resolution:	3. 840 x 1.600 pixels
Contrast:	1.000:1
Brightness:	Max. 450 cd/m²
Pixel response time:	1 ms
Refresh rate:	144 Hz
Viewing angles:	Horizontal: 178° Vertical: 178°
Interfaces:	1x DisplayPort 2x HDMI 5x USB 3.0 (1up, 5 down)
HDCP:	Yes
Weight:	19.3 kg
Dimensions (W x H x D):	894.9 x 399.4 x 130.1 mm
Ergonomics:	Panel height: 130 mm Panel tilt: -5° — 21° Swivel: -20° — 20°
Kensington lock:	No
Wall mount:	No
Built-in speakers:	Yes
Power supply:	Integrated
Optional:	4-zone RGB backlight, G-Sync Ultimate, DisplayHDR 600

Housing and workmanship

A year ago we tested the Alienware AW2720HF monitor. Externally, the AW3821DW can be called the «big brother», which is hardly a disadvantage, since Alienware consistently implements a stylish design for its displays. Which is different from gaming competitors.

The chassis is mostly white with a soft-touch finish, as is the case with the manufacturer’s notebooks. From the front, the white coloration is only visible on the stand, as the 38-inch panel has an edge-to-edge coverage. The bezels seem to be very narrow, but in fact the width of the dead zone is about 9mm. Nothing prevents you from installing two or three of these monitors together. Apart from the price, of course.

The curved panel is clearly visible on the side. Alienware opted for a fairly large radius of curvature of 2,300mm by today’s standards. By comparison, the recently tested AOC Agon PD27 has a radius of 1,000 mm, a choice based on the curvature of the human pupil. And in direct comparison, the AW3821DW seems almost flat. Although in some work scenarios this has its advantages.

The stand is not small, but externally it integrates very well into the overall concept. Alienware’s smooth shapes and white surfaces are unlike most gaming monitors on the market. As a rule, other manufacturers choose more aggressive designs. The stand does its job reliably, but the suspension could be stiffer. The panel vibrates at the slightest impact, yet the lever arms are affected.

The Alienware AW3821DW looks even better on the back than it does on the front. In addition, Alienware has integrated beautiful RGB lighting into the stand. So that the appearance of the 38-inch monitor does not break the cables, they are hidden behind a cover.

The workmanship is excellent, as is the quality of the material.

Interface panel

Alienware has hidden the interface panel behind a cover that slides easily. Behind it are almost all modern interfaces. Namely, two inputs HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4. In terms of USB ports, there are four USB 3.2 Gen1 ports for connecting 5Gb/s devices.

But Alienware has chosen a very interesting solution for USB. Two ports are located on the main panel under the cover, two more are placed on the bottom end, they can be easily reached. Moreover, power is supplied to these ports even when the monitor is off, which allows you to charge smartphones and tablets.

<>Test and Review: Alienware AW3821DW — Large Immersive Gaming Display
Ergonomics

Review Alienware AW3821DW : GameZ=

pluses

panel with accurate color reproduction and responsiveness
excellent HDR and eye protection
amazing design and assembly

disadvantages

no HDMI 2. at the fastest response

For centuries, people have debated whether size matters. As for the Alienware AW3821DW curved gaming monitor, it really is. With massive 37.5-inch panels and nearly three feet wide, this behemoth for 189$9 seems to have established itself as the predator of ultra-wide gaming monitors.

The Alienware AW3821DW is the bigger, poorer follow-up to the outgoing 34-inch AW3421DW. It boasts an improved Nano IPS WQHD panel with brighter, more accurate colors with up to 95% DCI-P3 and 130.6% sRGB color gamut. Even without fancy colorimeters, my graphic designer’s eye can easily confirm that everything looks much better and more accurate on this new panel than on the old 34-inch one.

Also improved HDR over its predecessor — now supports VESA DisplayHDR 600 and features edge-lit local dimming zones. My testing in various games and videos showed excellent contrast, color vibrancy and detail. However, local dimming is just a few vertical zones, and they can be quite obvious. I especially noticed this on black loading screens — you can see separate zones as the mouse moves over them.

Fortunately, this is not as noticeable in most materials, and using different monitor backlight modes can help reduce this. Although this is due to the contrast.

The content on the AW3821DW is amazing, whether you’re playing games, watching WandaVision episodes, or multi-tasking with multiple applications at the same time. I finally played Ori & the Will of Wisps and God what an incredible experience this ultra-wide HDR is. The level of immersion is truly breathtaking and well worth the high asking price. The increased field of view in games like Call of Duty Warzone, Apex Legends or Fortnite is simply amazing. But unfortunately it didn’t improve me in them.

An almost 4K resolution of 3840 x 1600 pixels at a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 144Hz refresh at ultra-high settings can break even an Nvidia RTX 3080 if you have one. Fortunately, the Alienware AW3821DW is rated for G-Sync Ultimate, so there is no fear of stuttering or tearing. Combined with a fast 1ms response time, it delivers smooth all-day gaming. The monitor’s native refresh is 4ms, but can go up to 2ms and 1ms, but it’s worth noting that this results in a bit of ghosting. Most people will think that 4 ms is quite normal.

AW3821DW Technical characteristics

screen size : 38 inches
Panel technology : Nanoips
Own Resolution : 3.840 x 1.600
9000 : 1000: 1
Brightness : 600 nits (typical)
Inputs : 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
Other : G-Sync Ultimate, 4x USB 3.0
MSRP: $1,899.

Panel aside, the AW3821DW has the same great Legend industrial design as its predecessors. It comes in Alienware Lunar White with a signature O-ring RGB stand. The stand has an incredibly huge footprint, about two feet wide and a foot deep, which is not suitable for small tables, but you can also mount a VESA monitor on a wall or arm. That is, either should be reliable enough.

Alienware AW3821DW

The stand easily holds an 8kg panel and offers a wide range of motion with swivel, tilt and height adjustment. It has mandatory cabling and excellent RGB lighting. There are four customizable lighting zones that include an alien head logo on the back, a kickstand, a power button, and a small band on the bottom. The lighting is bright enough to illuminate everything around in pitch darkness, but during the day you won’t notice it.

Huge size makes room for many ports. You get DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0, an audio output, and four USB-A ports. Perhaps disappointingly, it doesn’t support an HDMI 2.1 port for next-gen consoles, or even USB-C for a single cable connection to laptops.

Switching between devices is easy with an intuitive on-screen menu accessible via the context menu buttons on the rear right side of the monitor. The buttons are easy to find, tactile, and change their function depending on which menu page you’re on.

One problem I’ve found is that the wide bezel makes it hard to get to the menu buttons, and I have no idea why Dell doesn’t include a simple Windows OSD application like MSI. The app sits in the Windows task center and lets you fiddle with the on-screen menu with your mouse, which would be very handy, especially for such a huge monitor.

However, Alienware has created one of the best ultra-wide gaming monitors money can buy. It fixed a lot of the issues I had with the 34″ model and whether you’re a gamer, designer or accountant, this monitor has a lot to offer. If I had to complain, the lack of USB-C and HDMI 2.1 would be first on the list, followed by wobbly local dimming, but beyond that, there’s little downside here.

Some might think this size is too big for their space, but I’d suggest taking a look at Alienware’s equally excellent but smaller 27-inch model. But if size matters to you and money doesn’t matter, it’s too good an experience to pass up. Another thing to remember… Dell often has big discounts.

Alienware AW3821DW

90%

Total

Expensive, but ultimately a great ultra-wide screen for both gaming and work.

Alienware 38 Gaming Monitor Overview AW3821DW

Contents

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)
Installing and configuring the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)
Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW), Ports, Cables & Interface
Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor Performance (AW3821DW)
Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) in Lab
Bottom line

Do you want to broaden your horizons? While you’ve got wads of cash, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) will delight you with its gorgeous 37.5-inch 21:9 display with a sharp 3840 x 1600 pixel resolution, 144Hz refresh rate and 1-millisecond response time.

So what’s wrong with this machine? Actually not so much. Well, aside from the $1,899 asking price (now selling for $1,425). Also, it doesn’t come with speakers, which is disappointing for such a large and expensive monitor.

If you have the money and don’t mind customizing your own audio solution, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) is one of the best gaming monitors around.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)

You better make some room on your desk because the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor is a fat boy. As you might guess from the «38» in its name, this Alienware monitor is a 37.5-inch monitor that curves to cover most of the field of view, with a 21:9 aspect ratio.. Its aspect ratio makes it sleek, but the stand gives the monitor a huge back end.

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor’s bezels are relatively thin considering the size of the display. However, there is enough space to mount a webcam upstairs without obscuring the screen. On the bottom of the display is a white Alienware logo, and on the right, on the underside, is an RGB-lit power button.

The back of the monitor features a clean sci-fi design with a stylized ’38’ on the right side and just above it the RGB backlit Alienware logo. There are five navigational entrances in the bottom left corner and there is room for all ports in the bottom center.

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor has an 11.6-inch V-shaped base from back to front, so it takes up quite a lot of space. However, there is a white Alienware logo on the base, as well as an RGB-lit infinity loop that gives the back a nice glow.

Since this monster is large, there is nowhere to move it. It can tilt from +21 degrees to -5 degrees and swivel from +20 degrees to -20 degrees. There is approximately 5.1 inches of free movement in height, resulting in a monitor height of 17.7 to 22.8 inches. If you want to mount this monitor on the wall, you can connect it to a 100 x 100mm VESA mount.

At 26.7 lbs and 35.2″ x 11.6″ x 17.7-22.8″, Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor doesn’t take up much vertical space, but certainly takes up a lot of space vertically. width.

Installing and configuring the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor consists of three main parts, but they are easy to assemble.

I first screwed the base of the stand to the stand with a simple screw that was already attached to the base (no tools needed). I then attached the stand to the back of the display in one easy move; at this point, everything was attached except for the snap-on I/O cover.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW), Ports, Cables and Interface

Unlike some monitors that rotate 90 degrees to allow easy access to ports, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor does not move so you can access the right inputs can be a headache.

From left to right, looking back, you will find a power connector, two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, a USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, another USB Type-A port, a USB Type-B port, two USB Type-A ports and an audio-out jack. You can also hide the ports with a plastic panel that snaps into place at the back.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor comes with DisplayPort cable, Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, HDMI cable and USB Type-B cable. I don’t think I’ve seen a Mini DisplayPort cable bundled with a monitor before, so it’s a pretty cool addition as it will allow you to easily connect to a gaming laptop.

You can navigate the interface using the buttons on the right side, but despite its size, there is no remote control included. Five buttons are included: a joystick, a cancel button, a preset button, a brightness and contrast button, and a dark stabilization button.

When navigating the menu, the first tab is the Game tab, which includes options for preset modes (FPS, MOBA/RTS, RPG, Sports, etc.), game enhancement mode (timer, frame rate, display alignment), time response, dark stabilizer and variable backlight. Then there is the Brightness/Contrast tab. After that comes Input Source, then AlienFX Lighting, which allows you to set up four RGB zones on the monitor. Finally, there’s an Audio tab that lets you simply adjust the volume, a Menu tab that changes the language and smaller settings, and a Personalization tab that lets you edit keyboard shortcuts.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) performance

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor boasts a 37.5-inch display with 3840 x 1600 resolution, 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. This IPS panel also supports HDR600 and is compatible with Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate.

In Resident Evil Village, I was ambushed by a werewolf at the named title location, and after a few shots, his crimson blood splattered onto the display in incredible detail. Despite the naturally muted colors that made up this area, the snow on the ground and the jumbled blue-red houses looked vibrant on the Alienware 38’s curved gaming monitor. The panel was also bright enough that I could see the smallest details in the poorly lit house I was rummaging through. . 21:9 aspect ratioalso worked great for the game, giving me more visual space to work with.

I played a bit of No Man’s Sky, and when I escaped from the atmosphere of a highly radioactive planet, hazy purple clouds covered the horizon and appeared on the screen. What really immersed me in this moment was the bright orange glow inside my ship as I flew over the planet before I saw something blue and crashed in the distance. Thanks to the high refresh rate, I was also able to see a lot more objects and details than usual as I accelerated towards the crash site and found the 18-syllable material.

In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, I ran across a moss-covered battlefield and spilled black orc blood all over the land, and it looked like I was painting on a living canvas. When I was challenged by a flaming orc, the orange-red fire that scorched his skin looked incredibly brave. When I found myself in a dark hallway, the flickering light of the torches around me was the only thing that illuminated the area, but the display was bright enough to offset and detail the area I was in.

The best settings for my game time were Preset: FPS, Brightness: 100, Contrast: 75, Dark Stabilizer: 0 and Variable Backlight: Off. I liked FPS more from other gifts, because it is presented in nice warm colors. But if you’re not a fan of it, you can use one of the game’s presets, which allows you to customize the color yourself.

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) in Lab

As you might have guessed, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor performed very well in our tests, although I’m not sure it makes up for its price.

The Alienware AW3821DW averaged 486 nits of brightness at SDR settings, beating the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ (355 nits) and the Alienware AW5520QF (400 nits). With HDR enabled, the Alienware AW3821DW averaged 531 nits at the center of the display. Please note that this is an isolated test and is not intended for real-world use, as HDR may automatically adjust the monitor’s brightness.

I knew this baby was full of color when I first saw it and tests confirm me: Alienware AW3821DW covers 118.9% DCI-P3 color gamut. It overtook Alienware AW5520QF (100.5%) and Strix XG27UQ (108%).

When it comes to the sRGB range, the Alienware AW3821DW covers a whopping 167. 9% of the sRGB color gamut, destroying the Strix XG27UQ (152%) and the Alienware AW5520QF (141.9%).

In terms of color accuracy, the Alienware AW3821DW has a Delta-E of 0.27 (the closer to zero the better). It is about the same as Strix XG27UQ (0.28) and Alienware AW5520QF (0.27).

Bottom line

The Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) is a great monitor for both gaming and productivity due to how much screen real estate it offers. With vibrant colors and garish brightness, it’s hard to pass up on this particular monitor. But it’s just out of reach for most gamers, so only those with a knack for saving and investing will be able to experience this panel.

If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out the Asus ROG Strix XG27UQ, a 27-inch 4K monitor priced just under four figures.

Otherwise, if you have the money and love for a wide-ratio curved screen, the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) makes a great monitor.

Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″ | 78 factors

78points

Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Why is Dell Alienware AW382D better than others?

Response time?
1ms vs 3. 86ms
Permission?
3840 x 1600px vs 3.37MP
Screen size?
37.5″ vs 26.47″
Pixel density?
111ppi vs 101.64ppi
Brightness?
450 nits vs 302.15 nits
Screen colors?
1070m vs 252.31m
Refresh rate?
144Hz vs 106.34Hz
HDMI connectors?
2 vs 1.43

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9000 Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

300 9.

0 /10

2 Votes

Games

8.5 /10

2 VOTES

Color Activity

8.5 9030 /10

2 VOTES

Angles of the review

905

2 votes

Display

1.response time

Response time indicates how long it takes for the screen to change pixel states to show new content. The shorter the time it takes to respond, the less likely it is that fast-paced images will be blurred.

2. screen size

The larger the screen size, the better the user experience.

3.resolution

3840 x 1600px

Resolution indicates the maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on a screen, expressed as the number of pixels on the horizontal axis and the number on the vertical axis.

4.Pixel Density

111ppi

Pixel Density is a measure of screen resolution expressed as pixels per inch (PPI) on a screen. Higher pixel density results in sharper and clearer images displayed on the screen, resulting in a better viewing experience.

5.has an IPS panel

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

IPS (In-Plane Switching) is a technology used for LCD displays. viewing angles and poor color quality PLS (Plane Switching) is a type of IPS screen developed by Samsung with higher brightness and lower cost

9029

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

OLED displays (Organic Light Emitting Diode) are made up of organic materials that emit light. They have higher contrast ratios and wider viewing angles than LCDs. AMOLED and POLED are display types OLED

7.has a backlit LED display

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Uses LED backlight instead of fluorescent, resulting in higher image quality, brighter colors and richer blacks.

8.has anti-glare

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Anti-glare helps reduce external light reflections on the screen.

Colors

1.brightness

450 nits

A nit is a measure of the light emitted by a display, equal to one candela per square meter.

2.color calibration available

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

A properly calibrated screen displays colors as they appear in real life, meaning you can shoot while checking your photos in real time. For easy calibration

3.screen colors

Number of colors the screen can accurately reproduce

4.bit depth

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

Bit depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel. The more bits, the more color range the panel displays. An 8-bit panel uses 256 levels per channel and displays 16.7 million colors, while a 10-bit panel reaches 1024 levels and displays 1.07 billion colors.

5. contrast ratio

1000:1

The contrast ratio is the visual distance between the lightest and darkest color that can be displayed on the screen. High contrast is a positive aspect of any screen.

6.Adobe RGB

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

Shows the percentage of Adobe RGB that the device covers.

Connection

1.HDMI connectors

More HDMI connectors allow you to connect multiple devices at the same time, such as game consoles and TVs.

2.Supports thunderbolt interface

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Thunderbolt is an interface for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. This is a cable connection that carries both data and display signals at the same time, providing power.

3.DisplayPort outputs

Allows connection to a display using DisplayPort.

4. has a 3.5mm mini jack socket

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

You can use a standard minijack socket to connect most headphones. 38″

A device that has a DVI connector (usually computers and laptops) can be connected to the TV.

6.USB connectors

With more USB connectors, you can connect more devices.

USB 7 version

Newer versions of USB are faster and have better power management.

8.Has USB Type-C

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

USB Type-C has reversible connector orientation and cable routing. ability that provides higher resolution and frame rate.0005

Power

1. power consumption in operation mode

How much power the device consumes when it is running.

2. standby power consumption

How much power the device consumes when it is off but still online.

3. annual energy consumption

144kWh

The more energy a device consumes per year, the less energy efficient it is, which becomes more expensive over time.

4.battery capacity

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

Battery charge, or battery capacity, is the amount of electrical energy stored in the battery. The higher the battery charge, the longer the battery life.

Features

1.Supports PiP and PaP

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

A device that supports PiP and PaP, picture-in-picture, can simultaneously stream two images from different sources, splitting the viewing window or creating a smaller window in a larger .

2.has built-in stereo speakers

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Devices with stereo speakers provide sound from different channels on the left and right sides for a richer sound and better listening experience.

3.has a built-in smart TV

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Devices with built-in smart TV features (such as Android TV or webOS) allow you to access popular streaming apps without having to purchase/connect a separate smart TV device.

4. audio output power

Unknown. Help us offer a price.

The audio output power is based on the number of speakers and their power in watts. High audio power output results in loud, clear sound.

5.with remote control

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

The remote control allows you to control the device remotely. May or may not be included in the package.

6.supports Dolby Digital

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Dolby Digital capable device provides up to six audio channels for much better sound quality.

7. Dolby Digital Plus supported

Dolby Digital Plus can provide up to 14 different audio channels with enhanced bitrate, which provides much better sound quality.

8.has DTS Surround

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

DTS Surround is a high quality audio codec supporting up to six audio channels with good bitrate and sound quality.

9. Has an ambient light sensor.

✖Dell alienware AW3821DW 38 «

External light sensor regulates the brightness of the device in accordance with the amount of natural light that surrounds it.

Other

1. MITH HDMI Output

✔Dell alienware AW3821DW 38″ 9000 «9000» HDMI or mini HDMI can stream high-definition video and audio to the connected display.

2.height adjustment range

Height adjustable units provide a full range of height options for maximum comfort.

3. Supports USB record

✖dell alienware AW3821DW 38 «

USB Record — the ability to record content on USB -connected USB devices

4. Supports Bfi

✖Dell alienware AW3821DW 38″ BFI. The display adds black frames between real frames to help the human eye perceive the image better.

5. The blocking from children

✖Dell alienware AW3821DW 38 «

This function allows adults to prevent or limit the use of the device by children.

6. DLNA

✖Dell alienware AW3821DW 38″ 9000 together. When different devices are connected to the same network, data can be easily transferred between them.

7.audio inputs

More audio inputs means more audio devices such as a microphone can be connected at the same time.

8.has a 3D screen with glasses

✖Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

Supports viewing of 3D images from devices such as a 3D compatible Blu-ray player, allowing you to watch movies in 3D with the appropriate glasses.

9.Has a sleep timer

✔Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″

The sleep timer is a function that turns off the power after a set amount of time.

Price match

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Which monitors are better?

Alienware AW3821DW gaming monitor review . Game24.pro — gaming news 24/7

The Alienware AW3821DW is the bigger, badder sequel to the outgoing 34-inch AW3421DW. It boasts a better Nano IPS WQHD panel with more vibrant and accurate colors up to 95% DCI-P3 and 130.6% sRGB color gamut. Even without fancy colorimeters, my graphic designer’s eye can easily confirm that things look much better and more accurate on this newer panel than the old 34-incher.

Thankfully, this isn’t as visible in most content, and using the monitor’s different variable backlighting modes can help reduce this. Thought that comes at the expense of contrast.

AW3821DW specs

Screen size: 38-inch
Panel technology: NanoIPS
Native resolution: 3,840 x 1,600
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Response time: 1ms
Contrast: 1,000: 1
— Brightness: -600 nits (typical)
— Inputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4
— Other: G-Sync Ultimate, 4x USB 3.0 hub

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The stand holds the panel’s 8kg easily, while also offering a wide range of motion with swivel, tilt and height adjustment. It has the obligatory cable management and the RGB lighting is excellent too. There are four customizable lighting zones which include the Alien head logo on the back, the stand, power button and a small strip in the bottom bezel. The lighting is bright enough to light up your surroundings in pitch dark but you won’t notice it during the day.

One challenge I found is that, because the panel is so wide, reaching for the menu buttons is quite a chore and I have no idea why Dell doesn’t include a simple Windows OSD app like MSI. The app lives in Windows task center and allows you to fiddle with the OSD using your mouse, which would be super convenient especially for such a huge monitor.

Euronics

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Purchase cannot be made

Product code:
AW3821DW

Manufacturer:

Dell

1299 €

The product is not sold in the retail network

back

Screen

Screen diagonal

37. 52″

Screen size

37.5″

Screen type

Screen backlight technology

Nano IPS

Screen resolution

Resolution is a term that refers to how densely the pixels are on the screen.

3840×1600

Response time

2 ms

Brightness

450 nits

Contrast

1000:1

Viewing Angle (horiz. )

178°

Viewing Angle (vert.)

178°

Screen surface

matte

Update frequency

144 Hz

Screen curvature

2300 R
Interfaces

3. 5mm headphone output

Yes

DP (Display Port)

Yes

HDMI

Yes

USB 3.2

4 things
Common parameters

Manufacturer

Dell

Color

black White
Adjustment

Horizontal turn

Yes

Incline

Yes

Height adjustment

Yes
Dimensions

The weight

Product weight without packaging

12.

Aw3821Dw review: Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review — RTINGS.com

Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review — RTINGS.com

Our Verdict

Check Price

Test Results

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

Compared To Other Monitors

Alienware AW3821DW Review: Smooth, Curved, Slick Ultrawide

Tom’s Hardware Verdict

Pros

Alienware AW3821DW Specs

Assembly and Accessories

Product 360

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Dell)

OSD Features

Alienware AW3821DW Calibration Settings

Gaming and Hands-on

Dell Alienware AW3821DW Review 2022: All You Must Know

Image Quality

Performance

Features

Design & Connectivity

Price & Similar Monitors

Conclusion

Specifications

The Pros:

The Cons:

Alienware AW3821DW Review | Trusted Reviews

Verdict

Pros

Cons

Key Features

Introduction

Price and availability

Image quality

Conclusion

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FAQs

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Trusted Reviews’ Test data

Alienware AW3821DW gaming monitor review

Our Verdict

For

Against

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Kizito Katawonga)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Kizito Katawonga)

Alienware 38 AW3821DW gaming monitor review

Laptop Mag Verdict

Cons

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) installation and setup

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) ports, cabling and interface

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) performance

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) lab testing

Test and Review: Alienware AW3821DW — Immersive Large Gaming Display

Housing and workmanship

Interface panel

Review Alienware AW3821DW : GameZ=

pluses

disadvantages

AW3821DW Technical characteristics

Alienware AW3821DW

Alienware 38 Gaming Monitor Overview AW3821DW

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)

Installing and configuring the Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW)

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW), Ports, Cables and Interface

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) performance

Alienware 38 Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3821DW) in Lab

Bottom line

Dell Alienware AW3821DW 38″ | 78 factors

Why is Dell Alienware AW382D better than others?

Which comparisons are the most popular?

300 9.

Display