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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is a priority for you, the Dell Alienware AW2723DF with its higher refresh rate and faster response time will offer smoother gameplay and is well-suited for fast-paced games. However, if budget is a concern and you're looking for a monitor with higher resolution for tasks like watching movies, casual gaming, or productivity, the Dell S3221QS with its larger screen and 4K resolution may better meet your needs despite its lower refresh rate and slower response time, which might not be ideal for competitive gaming. Both monitors have their strengths, so your choice should align with your primary activities and budget constraints. 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 Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good response time
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.6
3.8
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
7.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 280 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
6.4
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 Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.0
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$429
$320
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) has a price of $429 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.4
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
280Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1020:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
384 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
672 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
99.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW2723DF (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $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 | 16 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1020:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 384 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 672 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 | 103.1 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.6 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 280 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.7/10 | 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 | 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 Alienware AW2723DF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jeremy Laird | March 2023
"Put all the pieces together, the high quality IPS image quality, the punchy backlight, the good response and the buttery smooth 280Hz refresh and you have a pretty outstanding gaming panel that's also decent for general computing duties thanks to the 1440p resolution."
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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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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