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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high refresh rate and responsiveness are important for gaming, the Dell S2721DGF would be a better choice, especially for competitive gaming where speed is crucial. Its higher pixels per inch also mean sharper images for productivity. However, if you prefer a larger screen with better contrast for immersive media consumption and don't mind a lower refresh rate, the Dell S3221QS with its 4K resolution may be more appealing despite being a bit pricier. The S3221QS isn't as well-suited for fast-paced games due to its higher response time, potentially leading to ghosting. Both monitors have solid color accuracy for casual photo editing, but neither are ideal for professional HDR video editing. 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 S2721DGF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the Dell S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.6
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
90.6 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
3.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
20.9 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
40 - 60 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2
8.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 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 S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
7.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
3194:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
371 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$320
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Dell S3221QS (VA) costs $320.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (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 S2721DGF (IPS) and the Dell S3221QS (VA) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Dell S3221QS (VA) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $320 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | VA | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 3194:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 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 | 137.7 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 20.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 40 - 60 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 140 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 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 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."
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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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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