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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch gaming and media consumption with deep blacks and vibrant colors, the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is an excellent monitor for you, although it comes at a premium price. It offers a high refresh rate suitable for both casual and competitive gaming. However, if your focus is more on day-to-day productivity and cost-effectiveness, you might prefer the Dell S3221QS (VA), which provides good image clarity and is more affordable, but won't offer the same level of gaming or media experience due to its lower refresh rate and overall performance in those aspects. 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
- 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good text clarity
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.7
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
98.8 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
6.0
3.8
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
0.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is only fair for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
7.0
8.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is good.
Media Consumption
9.7
7.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
244 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
448 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$1,200
$320
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) has a price of $1,200 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Alienware AW3225QF (QD-OLED) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | OLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | QD-OLED | VA | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | Inf:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 244 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 448 nits | 371 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 0.4 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 240 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 8/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.9/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.9/10 | 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 | 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 | 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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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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