Products
Dell Alienware AW3420DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jun 07, 2024 08:18 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 13, 2025 07:53 PM
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Amazon.com
Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Size
34"
Pixel Type
IPS
Variable Refresh Rate
G-SYNC
HDR10
No
Native Resolution
3440 x 1440
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Size
38"
Pixel Type
IPS
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
HDR10
Yes
Native Resolution
3840 x 1600
Our Verdict
Dell Alienware AW3420DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
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.
Variants
- AW3420DW (34")
- AW3821DW (38")
Check Price
34"
AW3420DW
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Amazon.com
38"
AW3821DW
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
34"
AW3420DW
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
38"
AW3821DW
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
34"
AW3420DW
SEARCH
B&H
38"
AW3821DW
SEARCH
B&H
34"
AW3420DW
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38"
AW3821DW
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.5
7.7
SDR Peak Brightness
6.6
8.4
HDR Color Gamut
0.0
8.8
HDR Color Volume
0.0
8.7
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
Yes
Yes
Curve Radius
1900R
2300R
Size
34"
38"
Weight (without stand)
14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)
Weight (with stand)
23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Longevity Graph
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build Quality Picture
Ergonomics
6.6
7.5
Ergonomics Picture
Back Picture
Height Adjustment
5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Tilt Range
-20° to 5°
-21° to 5°
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
No
No
Swivel Range
-30° to 30°
-20° to 20°
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Stand
Stand Picture
Thickness Picture
Base Width
22.0" (56.0 cm)
23.6" (60.0 cm)
Base Depth
10.4" (26.5 cm)
11.8" (30.0 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
10.4" (26.5 cm)
11.2" (28.5 cm)
Weight (With Display)
23.8 lbs (10.8 kg)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
Display
Display Picture
Size
34"
38"
Housing Width
35.2" (89.5 cm)
Housing Height
15.6" (39.5 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
4.6" (11.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)
Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Power Supply
Internal
Internal
Back
Back Picture
Wall Mount
VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Borders
Borders Picture
Borders
0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Thickness (with stand)
10.4" (26.5 cm)
11.2" (28.5 cm)
Thickness (without stand)
4.6" (11.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Picture Quality
Contrast
5.4
5.8
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
720 : 1
883 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A
870 : 1
Local Dimming
0.0
2.5
Local Dimming Video
Local Dimming
No
Yes
Backlight
Edge
Edge
SDR Brightness
6.6
8.4
Real Scene
226 cd/m²
479 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
245 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
247 cd/m²
492 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
247 cd/m²
494 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
247 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
247 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
245 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
247 cd/m²
492 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
247 cd/m²
493 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
247 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
247 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.001
0.001
Minimum Brightness
35 cd/m²
HDR Brightness
0.0
7.3
EOTF
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
DisplayHDR 600
Real Scene
N/A
496 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
N/A
591 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
N/A
660 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
N/A
663 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
N/A
549 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
N/A
481 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
N/A
476 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
N/A
528 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
N/A
536 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
N/A
535 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
N/A
468 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
N/A
0.010
Horizontal Viewing Angle
6.9
7.0
Horizontal Viewing Angle Video
Horizontal Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Left
42°
41°
Color Washout From Right
40°
41°
Horizontal Hue Graph
Color Shift From Left
53°
54°
Color Shift From Right
54°
55°
Horizontal Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Left
47°
46°
Brightness Loss From Right
46°
47°
Black Level Raise From Left
27°
25°
Black Level Raise From Right
18°
22°
Gamma Shift From Left
35°
36°
Gamma Shift From Right
28°
32°
Vertical Viewing Angle
7.0
7.0
Vertical Viewing Angle Video
Vertical Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Below
33°
34°
Color Washout From Above
31°
30°
Vertical Hue Graph
Color Shift From Below
38°
40°
Color Shift From Above
34°
32°
Vertical Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Below
36°
37°
Brightness Loss From Above
34°
32°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
37°
39°
Gamma Shift From Above
34°
32°
Gray Uniformity
8.9
8.2
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
2.615%
2.402%
50% DSE
0.094%
0.137%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
0.305%
5% DSE
0.035%
Black Uniformity
5.9
6.3
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
2.079%
1.105%
Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
5.372%
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
6.7
6.0
Pre Calibration Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
Picture Mode
Standard
Standard
sRGB Gamut Area xy
133.0%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
3.49
3.91
Color Temperature (Avg.)
5,949 K
7,374 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.16
2.24
Color dE (Avg.)
3.83
3.52
Contrast Setting
75
75
RGB Settings
100-100-100
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
80
50
Measured Brightness
211 cd/m²
222 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
9.7
9.8
Post Calibration Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
sRGB Gamut Area xy
99.9%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.46
0.57
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,519 K
6,453 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.17
2.17
Color dE (Avg.)
0.40
0.31
Contrast Setting
79
75
RGB Settings
81-84-94
100-91-84
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
35
18
Measured Brightness
100 cd/m²
99 cd/m²
ICC Profile
SDR Color Gamut
9.2
9.5
sRGB Color Gamut Picture
sRGB Coverage xy
99.4%
99.7%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
85.5%
86.6%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
SDR Color Volume
9.4
9.7
sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
sRGB In ICtCp
97.6%
98.2%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
90.4%
91.1%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
HDR Color Gamut
0.0
8.8
Wide Color Gamut
N/A
Yes
DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
95.6%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Gamer 1
Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
N/A
70.4%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR
Gamer 1
DCI P3 xy
N/A
HDR Color Volume
0.0
8.7
DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
N/A
87.9%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
No HDR
Gamer 1
Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
N/A
73.7%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
No HDR
Gamer 1
Image Retention
10
Image Retention Picture
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%
Reflections
6.5
6.5
Average Room
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Matte
Matte
Total Reflections
7.1%
6.8%
Indirect Reflections
3.5%
3.2%
Calculated Direct Reflections
3.6%
3.6%
Text Clarity
7.5
7.5
ClearType On
ClearType Off
Pixel Type
IPS
IPS
Pixels
Subpixel Layout
RGB
RGB
Gradient
8.4
9.8
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
8 Bit
10 Bit
Color Bleed
10
Color Bleed Horizontal
Pixel Row Error
0.000%
Color Bleed Vertical
Pixel Column Error
0.000%
Motion
Refresh Rate
8.3
Native Refresh Rate
120 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
85 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
60 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
FreeSync
Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (Tested)
G-SYNC
Yes (Native)
Yes (Native)
VRR Maximum
120 Hz
144 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
DisplayPort
DisplayPort, HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
G-SYNC
Yes
Native
120 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
144 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
8.7
8.1
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Fast
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
2.9 ms
2.8 ms
Total Response Time
11.4 ms
10.8 ms
Overshoot Error
11.0%
13.7%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
3.1 ms
3.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
11.0 ms
14.5 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
13.2%
31.4%
Response Time @ 120Hz
7.9
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
2.9 ms
Total Response Time
11.8 ms
Overshoot Error
13.0%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
3.7 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
16.1 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
30.0%
Response Time @ 60Hz
8.3
7.5
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Fast
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
3.3 ms
3.9 ms
Total Response Time
15.9 ms
16 ms
Overshoot Error
7.3%
4.8%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
3.6 ms
5.6 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
15.5 ms
22.7 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
7.8%
13.0%
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing Picture
Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
No BFI
No BFI
Maximum Frequency
N/A
N/A
Minimum Frequency
N/A
N/A
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
N/A
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
N/A
Pulse Width Control
No BFI
Pulse Phase Control
No BFI
Pulse Amplitude Control
No BFI
VRR At The Same Time
No BFI
Image Flicker
10
10
Backlight Picture
Flicker-Free
Yes
Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
0 Hz
Inputs
Input Lag
9.4
8.9
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
5.2 ms
4.1 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
4.7 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
13.1 ms
12.0 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
5.2 ms
Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
13.0 ms
10 Bit HDR
N/A
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
N/A
N/A
Resolution And Size
8.7
8.6
Native Resolution
3440 x 1440
3840 x 1600
Aspect Ratio
21:9
21:9
Megapixels
5.0 MP
6.1 MP
Pixel Density
109 PPI
111 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
34.1"
37.5"
Screen Area
415 in²
498 in²
PS5 Compatibility
7.0
PS5 Compatibility Photo
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
5.8
XSX Compatibility Photo
4k @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 60Hz
No
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
No
VRR
Yes
Inputs Photos
Inputs 1
Inputs 2
Video And Audio Ports
DisplayPort
1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)
Mini DisplayPort
No
No
HDMI
1 (HDMI 1.4)
2 (HDMI 2.0)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
No HDMI 2.1
DVI
No
No
VGA
No
No
Daisy Chaining
No
3.5mm Audio Out
2
2
HDR10
No
Yes
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No
No
DisplayPort Out
No
USB
4 (USB 3.0)
4
USB C
No
0
Digital Optical Audio Out
No
Analog Audio Out RCA
No
Power Supply
Internal
Internal
USB
USB-A Ports
4 (USB 3.0)
4
USB-A Rated Speed
5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1)
USB-B Upstream Port
Yes
USB-C Ports
No
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
macOS Compatibility
macOS Screenshot
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
No
No
RGB Illumination
Controllable
Controllable
Multiple Input Display
No
No
KVM Switch
No
HDR10
No
Yes
On-Screen Display (OSD)
OSD Picture
Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Check Price
34"
AW3420DW
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
38"
AW3821DW
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
34"
AW3420DW
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
38"
AW3821DW
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
34"
AW3420DW
SEARCH
B&H
38"
AW3821DW
SEARCH
B&H
34"
AW3420DW
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
38"
AW3821DW
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Dell Alienware AW3420DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
Comments
Dell Alienware AW3420DW vs Dell Alienware AW3821DW: Main Discussion
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