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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a high refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience and are engaged in digital photo editing, the Acer XB323U-GX with its IPS panel and quick response time would be the superior choice. However, for more immersive media consumption and general productivity tasks, the Dell S3221QS offers a higher resolution and excellent image clarity with a VA panel that generally has better contrast, but has a lower refresh rate which is less ideal for competitive gaming. Choose the Acer if gaming performance and color accuracy for photo editing is your focus, or the Dell if you prioritize media experience and a sharper display for productivity at a more affordable price. 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 XB323U-GX (IPS)
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
95.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.3
3.8
270Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
8.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
48 - 270 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
4.8
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
91 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 XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.4
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
400 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,147
$320
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) has a price of $1,147 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Acer XB323U-GX (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,147 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 16 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1000:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 400 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 600 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 173.4 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 8 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 270 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 1 | 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 | 1 | 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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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