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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If color accuracy for digital photo editing is important to you and you prefer crisp text for productivity tasks, the Asus PA279CV with its IPS panel would be a good fit, though it costs more. However, if you enjoy media consumption with deep blacks and don't mind slightly lower clarity, the Dell S3221QS's VA panel, which is great for watching videos and costs less, might be the better choice. The Dell's larger screen also offers a more immersive experience, but it's less suited for competitive gaming due to lower responsiveness compared to the Asus. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming due to low peak brightness. 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 Asus PA279CV (IPS)
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
80.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
3.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
17.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
48 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
8.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is good.
Media Consumption
6.6
7.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$399
$320
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) has a price of $399 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA279CV (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 Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA279CV (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 920:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 376 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 436 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 | 99.3 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 60 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 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
Asus PA279CV (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | April 2022
"Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account. It edges out alternatives like the BenQ PD2720U and Dell S2722QC in brightness and contrast without giving up ground on connectivity or menu options."
Dell S3221QS (VA)
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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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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FAQs
Why trust us
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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