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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your top priority and you desire a very high refresh rate with less motion blur, invest in the Asus PG27AQN, although it won't offer the best experience for HDR gaming or media consumption due to its lower peak brightness. Alternatively, if you prefer a larger screen for productivity and media with better image clarity and higher resolution at a lower cost, go for the Dell S3221QS. However, the Dell has a lower refresh rate, which makes it less ideal for competitive gaming, and it also has limited HDR performance. 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
3.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
6.5
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.0
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$949
$320
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) has a price of $949 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.7
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
92.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQN (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 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 | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 974:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 414 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 644 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 | 98.5 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.6 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 3 | 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Matthew Smith | March 2023
"The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN is a motion clarity marvel. It’s the first 27-inch 1440p 360Hz monitor on the market, and also the first to use an Ultrafast IPS display. These advancements provide outstanding motion clarity across a broad range of refresh rates. Unfortunately, the monitor’s motion clarity does nothing for its image quality, which is just ok. To be clear, it’s a very nice looking monitor in many situations. However, the monitor’s contrast ratio is rather low. And while it can reach high levels of brightness in HDR, it lacks the nuance and contrast required to look great in HDR games."
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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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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