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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Picture Quality
- Motion
- Inputs
- Features
- Comments
Dell U3818DW vs Dell Alienware AW3821DW
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Dell U3818DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Dec 16, 2022 03:14 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 06, 2024 09:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Max Refresh Rate60 Hz
Size38"
Pixel TypeIPS
Variable Refresh RateNo VRR
HDR10No
Native Resolution3840 x 1600
Max Refresh Rate144 Hz
Size38"
Pixel TypeIPS
Variable Refresh RateYes
HDR10Yes
Native Resolution3840 x 1600
Variants
- U3818DW (38")
- AW3821DW (38")
Our Verdict
Dell U3818DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
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.
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.2
7.7
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
4.9
8.1
HDR Color Gamut
0.0
8.8
HDR Color Volume
0.0
8.7
SDR Peak Brightness
7.3
8.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
Yes
Yes
Curve Radius
2300R
2300R
Size
38"
38"
Weight (without stand)
19.6 lbs (8.9 kg)
17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)
Weight (with stand)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Longevity Graph
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Picture
Ergonomics
6.4
7.5
Ergonomics Picture
Back Picture
Height Adjustment
4.7" (11.9 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
13.4" (34.0 cm)
23.6" (60.0 cm)
Base Depth
8.9" (22.6 cm)
11.8" (30.0 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
11.2" (28.5 cm)
Weight (With Display)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
25.4 lbs (11.5 kg)
Display
Display Picture
Size
38"
38"
Housing Width
35.2" (89.5 cm)
Housing Height
15.6" (39.5 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
19.6 lbs (8.9 kg)
17.6 lbs (8.0 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.4" (1.0 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
0.4" (1.0 cm)
0.4" (1.1 cm)
Thickness
Thickness Picture
Thickness (with stand)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
11.2" (28.5 cm)
Thickness (without stand)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Picture Quality
Contrast
6.2
5.8
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
1,133 : 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
7.3
8.4
Real Scene
278 cd/m²
479 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
302 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
302 cd/m²
492 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
302 cd/m²
494 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
302 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
302 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
301 cd/m²
483 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
302 cd/m²
492 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
302 cd/m²
493 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
302 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
302 cd/m²
495 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.000
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
8.1
7.0
Horizontal Viewing Angle Video
Horizontal Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Left
47°
41°
Color Washout From Right
47°
41°
Horizontal Hue Graph
Color Shift From Left
53°
54°
Color Shift From Right
55°
55°
Horizontal Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Left
51°
46°
Brightness Loss From Right
51°
47°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
25°
Black Level Raise From Right
40°
22°
Gamma Shift From Left
46°
36°
Gamma Shift From Right
56°
32°
Vertical Viewing Angle
7.4
7.0
Vertical Viewing Angle Video
Vertical Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Below
34°
34°
Color Washout From Above
35°
30°
Vertical Hue Graph
Color Shift From Below
40°
40°
Color Shift From Above
43°
32°
Vertical Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Below
36°
37°
Brightness Loss From Above
37°
32°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
41°
39°
Gamma Shift From Above
44°
32°
Gray Uniformity
8.1
8.2
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
3.831%
2.402%
50% DSE
0.136%
0.137%
5% Uniformity Picture
5% Std. Dev.
0.474%
5% DSE
0.045%
Black Uniformity
5.8
6.3
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
2.137%
1.105%
Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
5.372%
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
9.0
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.)
1.67
3.91
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,593 K
7,374 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.20
2.24
Color dE (Avg.)
1.32
3.52
Contrast Setting
75
75
RGB Settings
100-100-100
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
Default
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
75
50
Measured Brightness
242 cd/m²
222 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
9.6
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.)
0.67
0.57
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,420 K
6,453 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.17
2.17
Color dE (Avg.)
0.54
0.31
Contrast Setting
75
75
RGB Settings
100-99-98
100-91-84
Gamma Setting
Default
No Gamma Setting
Brightness Setting
23
18
Measured Brightness
102 cd/m²
99 cd/m²
ICC Profile
SDR Color Gamut
8.9
9.5
sRGB Color Gamut Picture
sRGB Coverage xy
99.0%
99.7%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
77.6%
86.6%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
SDR Color Volume
9.1
9.7
sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
sRGB In ICtCp
97.8%
98.2%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
83.0%
91.1%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Custom Color
HDR Color Gamut
0.0
8.8
Wide Color Gamut
No
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
6.4
6.5
Average Room
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Matte
Matte
Total Reflections
7.5%
6.8%
Indirect Reflections
4.3%
3.2%
Calculated Direct Reflections
3.2%
3.6%
Text Clarity
7.0
7.5
ClearType On
ClearType Off
Pixel Type
IPS
IPS
Pixels
Subpixel Layout
RGB
RGB
Gradient
9.4
9.8
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
10 Bit
10 Bit
Color Bleed
10
Color Bleed Horizontal
Pixel Row Error
0.000%
Color Bleed Vertical
Pixel Column Error
0.001%
Motion
Refresh Rate
8.3
Native Refresh Rate
60 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
60 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
No
Compatible (Tested)
G-SYNC
No
Yes (Native)
VRR Maximum
N/A
144 Hz
VRR Minimum
No VRR
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
No VRR
DisplayPort, HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
No VRR
Yes
Native
60 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
60 Hz
144 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
No
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
4.9
8.1
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
6.6 ms
2.8 ms
Total Response Time
26.0 ms
10.8 ms
Overshoot Error
17.6%
13.7%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
6.5 ms
3.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
25.3 ms
14.5 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
18.7%
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
4.9
7.5
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
Normal
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
6.6 ms
3.9 ms
Total Response Time
26 ms
16 ms
Overshoot Error
17.6%
4.8%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
6.5 ms
5.6 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
25.3 ms
22.7 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
18.7%
13.0%
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing Picture
Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
No
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
8.9
8.9
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
9.2 ms
4.1 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
4.7 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.2 ms
12.0 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
N/A
Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
N/A
10 Bit HDR
N/A
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
N/A
N/A
Resolution And Size
8.9
8.6
Native Resolution
3840 x 1600
3840 x 1600
Aspect Ratio
21:9
21:9
Megapixels
6.1 MP
6.1 MP
Pixel Density
111 PPI
111 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
37.5"
37.5"
Screen Area
498 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
2 (HDMI 2.0)
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
1
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
1 (USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode)
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
1 (USB, USB PD, DP Alt Mode)
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
Yes
No
RGB Illumination
No
Controllable
Multiple Input Display
PIP + PBP
No
KVM Switch
No
HDR10
No
Yes
On-Screen Display (OSD)
OSD Picture
Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Dell U3818DW
Dell Alienware AW3821DW
Comments
Dell U3818DW vs Dell Alienware AW3821DW: Main Discussion
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