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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
Considering the price difference, if competitive gaming is your priority and you desire a monitor with a high refresh rate and low response time for fast-paced action, opt for the Dell AW2524H (IPS). However, for activities like watching movies, multitasking, and general productivity, where a larger screen and higher resolution will be of greater benefit, the Dell S3221QS (VA) with its larger display and sharper image quality is a better choice, especially if you want to save money. Keep in mind that the Dell S3221QS (VA) won't match the gaming performance of the Dell AW2524H (IPS). 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
- Good contrast
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.5
3.8
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
5.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 500 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
4.9
8.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.4
7.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell AW2524H (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$500
$320
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Dell AW2524H (IPS) has a price of $500 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.6
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
500Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
1031:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
390 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
464 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
87.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Dell AW2524H (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell AW2524H (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 AW2524H (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell AW2524H (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1031:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 390 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 464 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 | 99.9 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.5 ms | 20.9 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 | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 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 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 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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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