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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming with fast response times and high refresh rates, the Acer X27U (W-OLED) offers excellent performance. However, for productivity and media consumption with higher screen resolution, the Dell S3221QS (VA) is a better choice with its larger screen and crisper image clarity at a lower price. The Acer's OLED panel excels in color depth and contrast suitable for HDR gaming and media, whereas the Dell provides a solid all-around experience but isn't the best fit for HDR content. Consider your main use and budget when deciding as the premium price of the Acer may not be worth it if your focus is productivity or casual media viewing. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Acer X27U (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
95.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
8.8
3.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
5.8
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
111 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Acer X27U (W-OLED) is poor.
Cost
$1,000
$360
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) has a price of $1,000 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $360.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
7.5
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
211 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
603 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both good for media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer X27U (W-OLED) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer X27U (W-OLED) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,000 | $360 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | W-OLED | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 211 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 603 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1.4 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.5/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 111 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Dell S3221QS (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Anj Bryant | May 2021
"The Dell S3221QS offers a 4K, 32-inch panel that’s great for streaming videos and casual gaming, with an effective, gentle curve. But color accuracy and HDR performance leave much room for improvement."
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CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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