Amex Card holders, check your app/website for this offer:
Get a one-time $120 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible Card to spend a minimum of $599 in one or more purchases online at Dell.com.
This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.
Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.
expiredMeowssi | Staff posted Nov 27, 2022 08:50 PM
Item 1 of 5
Item 1 of 5
expiredMeowssi | Staff posted Nov 27, 2022 08:50 PM
38" Alienware AW3821DW 3840x1600 144Hz G-Sync Ultimate IPS Curved Gaming Monitor
+ Free Shipping$900
$1,350
33% offDell Technologies
Visit RetailerGood Deal
Bad Deal
Save
Share
Leave a Comment
Top Comments
Some pitfalls to be aware of:
- Response times are not as fast nor accurate as the LG models (per rtings). LG GL model for instance does 8.5ms response with zero overshoot. AW is not only slower at 10.2ms, but it has average overshoot error of 12.4%. Not sure how this is even possible since Dell is using LG's panel and the latest and greatest G-Sync module. However, tftcentral seems to have better results. Perhaps rtings had defective panel. All other professional reviews also say overshoot is not an issue if you keep it on default 'Fast'
https://i.rtings.com/assets/pages...-large.jpg
https://i.rtings.com/assets/pages...-large.jpg
- No sRGB emulation! The LG panels offer sRGB emulation whereas AW does not. God knows why the AW excluded this, but if you prefer a more natural look without oversaturated colors this might be annoying. It would almost seem a weakness of the AW is it's less well rounded for WFH and more heavily geared towards gaming for this reason. (with that said, all monitors are probably still going to be great)
- Color accuracy is not as good as the LG models, but probably good enough for most.
- Colors do not come factory calibrated out of the box like the LG models. Seems if you go the AW route, you will want one of those color calibration devices.
- The LED ring (Sphere Lighting 2.0) on the back of the LG models is better designed and brighter.
- Unlike the LG models where LED ring is built to the back of the panel, the AW LEDs are part of the stand itself. Therefore, if you ever decide to mount the AW to a 3rd party arm, goodbye LEDs.
- LG makes the panels for all these models including the AW. Therefore assume the panels are as likely subject to similar issues; while probably rare, there are reports out there where vertical line artifacts will randomly corrupt your display requiring RMA.
- No local exchange like you would find the LGs at Costco, Best Buy, etc. You must ship the panel back to Dell if you need to.
- Viewing angles are not AS good as the LG models.
- Reflection handling is not AS good as the LG models.
- The stand is larger on the AW which will put the display closer to your face. You will probably want a desk depth beyond 24" for this.
However with those pitfalls, the AW does have these advantages:
- Appears it might use a newer G-Sync (v2.2) model. Perhaps reduces risk of fan noise? Comes with extra HDMI that wasn't possible on the LG which is further evidence the G-Sync module is newer than the LG.
- AW uses a newer panel which could offer longer longevity than the LG versions.
- This deal beats all historical LG model pricing; even more-so if you stack the 120 off with amex.
- Higher quality stand, at the cost of being larger than the LG.
- Overall build quality is higher, but I don't know if that necessarily equates to lower failure as they all use LG panels.
- 3 year warranty off the bat versus 1 year on LGs. (I think Costco is the only place you can get 3 years on the LG)
- This is the only 38" display that has both HDR600 AND the G-Sync module. However the 38GN model does have G-Sync compatibility which everyone seems to think is just as good.
Some other differences that may be pluses or minuses depending on you:
- The AW's power brick is integrated into the panel itself unlike the LG's.
- I think the AW design is a little too gamery where the LGs are a bit more toned down. Though from the front they're about the same.
"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 3840x1600 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."
8.0 overall and 8.2 on gaming from RTINGS: https://www.rtings.com/monitor/re...e-aw3821dw
But honestly, I would just save yourself $520 and buy the Dell S3422DWG for $380. They are pretty close in most respects other than price.
https://www.rtings.com/monitor/to...shold=0.10
165 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I also noticed you can't get the full color potential at 175hz but you can get the 10-bit at 144hz (same speed as the 38").
So the OLED panel would be the main advantage. I wish I could test it before comitting. The 38" is sounding like a better option as I use this for many hours a day.
From the rtings website:
The Dell AW3423DW isn't technically flicker-free because there's a small dip in brightness that corresponds with the 175Hz refresh rate. The dip represents when the screen refreshes itself, but it isn't noticeable because it's just an oscillation in brightness, and it isn't a full-screen on and off pattern like the flicker like on LED-backlit displays.
Check out this post with examples: https://linustechtips.c
From the rtings website:
The Dell AW3423DW isn't technically flicker-free because there's a small dip in brightness that corresponds with the 175Hz refresh rate. The dip represents when the screen refreshes itself, but it isn't noticeable because it's just an oscillation in brightness, and it isn't a full-screen on and off pattern like the flicker like on LED-backlit displays.
Check out this post with examples: https://linustechtips.c
I am also replacing my AW3418DW as it's giving me eye strain. I spend a LOT of time working on my computer - like 10 hours a day. And when I'm done, 1-2 hours gaming.
Debating if I should get the AW3423DW as it's OLED - could it be easier on eye strain? Or should I look into the AW3821DW? Or give up and look into LG?
I already used my Amex offer on a laptop, I just noticed I have 5% on Chase + it ads 1 more year of warranty.
The LG arrived today from Costco, but I'm going to wait to unbox the AW3821 first to check it out. If I experience eye strain again, I probably will open the LG to see whether it performs differently (which I doubt). If it does, I have to blame nano IPS for not agreeing with me. That would lead me to a cheaper, smaller 34" ultrawide VA or a pricey OLED in the future.
Dell comes with USB-C charging, KVM, and speakers. 60 Hz though.
The LG arrived today from Costco, but I'm going to wait to unbox the AW3821 first to check it out. If I experience eye strain again, I probably will open the LG to see whether it performs differently (which I doubt). If it does, I have to blame nano IPS for not agreeing with me. That would lead me to a cheaper, smaller 34" ultrawide VA or a pricey OLED in the future.
I just gave in and went for the Dell 34 OLED. I have to try everything I can to offset this eye strain. Let's see what happens.
Dell comes with USB-C charging, KVM, and speakers. 60 Hz though.
I wanted that one but got the Alienware instead due to urlhasbeenblocked 15% and my deal Amex 10% back, which should make it around $750 after tax and cashbacks
But if you're seeing the U3821 for $792 + tax, then I might get that instead for the KVM, USC-C charging, and built in speakers.
The only games I play on my PC are real time strategy like Age of Empires or StarCraft so this monitor is wasted on me, but I really want a bigger ultrawide at 1600p vertical
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I wanted that one but got the Alienware instead due to urlhasbeenblocked 15% and my deal Amex 10% back, which should make it around $750 after tax and cashbacks
But if you're seeing the U3821 for $792 + tax, then I might get that instead for the KVM, USC-C charging, and built in speakers.
The only games I play on my PC are real time strategy like Age of Empires or StarCraft so this monitor is wasted on me, but I really want a bigger ultrawide at 1600p vertical
https://slickdeals.net/f/16255459-dell-u3821dw-ultrasharp-curved-usb-c-hub-monitor-37-52-inch-wqhd-3840-x-1600-60hz-2300r-curvature-display-8ms-response-time-899-99-fs
I went with the Alienware even though I'm not a gamer and in theory the U3821 would serve my productivity needs better. The Alienware is cheaper by $128 + tax. Also think it's going to be harder to sell the Dell 60 Hz monitor in a few years or recoup much of its value.
I just gave in and went for the Dell 34 OLED. I have to try everything I can to offset this eye strain. Let's see what happens.
Same reason why 120hz is commonly used on premium phones nowadays. It's not for gaming, but for providing a snappier experience and being easier on the eyes when scrolling. IMO, 100hz should be the new baseline for all monitors. 60hz is only tolerated because 95% of the population still haven't experienced above that.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Leave a Comment