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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're into competitive gaming, the Dell AW2524H with its higher refresh rate and response time reduction features like strobing will give you an edge, at a higher cost. However, for everyday productivity and casual gaming, the Dell S2721DS offers a larger screen with higher resolution for better image detail and more workspace, making it a budget-friendly choice. Neither are ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption; the AW2524H, despite better brightness, lacks the requisite color performance, while the S2721DS doesn't support HDR at all. Consider your main activities: competitive gaming favors the AW2524H, while casual use and productivity are well-served by the S2721DS. 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 AW2524H (IPS)
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
5.0
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
5.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
17.4 ms
20 - 500 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 75 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.9
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are both poor for productivity, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.4
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$500
$309
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) has a price of $500 and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) costs $309.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
5.8
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
75Hz
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1015:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
334 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
87.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell AW2524H (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and the Dell S2721DS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell AW2524H (IPS) | Dell S2721DS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $309 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1031:1 | 1015:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 390 nits | 334 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 464 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.9 % | 98.6 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.5 ms | 17.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 500 Hz | 48 - 75 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
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 AW2524H (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | March 2023
"If you have the system for it, the Alienware AW2524H is the perfect display to show off next level frame rates and control response. With higher contrast and color volume than its 360 Hz competition, it currently has no equal."
Dell S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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