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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming with faster response times, the Asus XB273U F with its high refresh rate and excellent motion handling is a better choice, albeit at a premium price. However, if you're leaning towards a larger screen for media consumption and productivity with better static contrast and higher resolution, the Dell S3221QS offers a 32-inch screen and crisp 4K resolution, making it a more cost-effective option. Keep in mind, the Dell's lower refresh rate may not be as smooth for fast-paced games, and its overall performance in competitive gaming won't match the Asus. 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 XB273U F (IPS)
- Good for casual gaming
- 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
5.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
6.7
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 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 XB273U F (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.3
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Asus XB273U F (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$1,100
$360
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) has a price of $1,100 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $360.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus XB273U F (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
7.0
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1242:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
488 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
468 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
96.1 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus XB273U F (IPS) to be good for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus XB273U F (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus XB273U F (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 XB273U F (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus XB273U F (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,100 | $360 | ||
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 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1242:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 488 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 468 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 | 99.6 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.4 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 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 | Matte | 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 | 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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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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