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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a top-notch gaming and media experience and don't mind the higher cost, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF with its superior contrast and color qualities would be a stellar choice. On the other hand, if you're looking for a midrange priced monitor that offers a balance for gaming and productivity without the extra cost, the Dell S2721DGF would be a practical option, though it won't deliver the same level of performance in HDR content or have the same deep blacks and vibrant colors as the Alienware. 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 AW3225QF (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for productivity
- Best in class for media consumption
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
5.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
98.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
97.2 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
7.0
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
9.7
5.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
882:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
485 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,200
$300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) has a price of $1,200 and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) costs $300.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
6.0
5.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
0.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.3 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
368 nits
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) to be only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) | Dell S2721DGF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 882:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 244 nits | 368 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 448 nits | 485 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 137.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.4 ms | 6.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.9/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721DGF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | January 2021
"The Dell S2721DGF checks all the boxes for an upper-mid priced display that can take on the best gaming monitors, and you might even be able to find it for under $500 (it's $450-$500 as of writing). The monitor's 1440p, runs at 165 Hz without overclock, has AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync Compatibility, covers a large portion of the DCI-P3 color gamut and includes a lighting effect on the back."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
By the numbers
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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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