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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're into competitive gaming and want a monitor with very high refresh rates and low response times, the Dell AW2524H would be a solid choice despite the higher price. However, if you prioritize sharper images, larger screen size, and better resolution for activities like productivity or casual gaming, then the Dell S2721QS with its 4K resolution would be more suitable, and it comes at a lower cost. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption due to their limited brightness and color gamut. Keep in mind the AW2524H has better performance for fast-paced games, but if those aren't your primary interest, the S2721QS offers good value for more general use and clearer text due to its higher pixels per inch. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
4.9
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
14.5 ms
20 - 500 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.9
7.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
164 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.4
6.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$500
$230
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) has a price of $500 and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) costs $230.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
5.9
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1221:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
373 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
386 nits
87.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
85.2 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell AW2524H (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and the Dell S2721QS (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell AW2524H (IPS) | Dell S2721QS (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $230 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | |
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 | 1221:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 390 nits | 373 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 464 nits | 386 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.9 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.5 ms | 14.5 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 500 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 10/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 164 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 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 S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
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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