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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on competitive gaming, the Dell S2721DGF offers a higher refresh rate, which leads to smoother in-game motion, making it a strong choice. However, for productivity and media consumption, the Dell U3223QE has a larger screen and higher resolution, providing more workspace and sharper details for tasks like photo editing and watching videos. Though the U3223QE costs more, its strong color performance and contrast ratio might justify the investment for those focused on visual quality for professional work and media. Neither is ideal for HDR gaming or video editing due to their limited HDR peak brightness. Choose the S2721DGF for gaming or the U3223QE for a mix of productivity and high-resolution media consumption. 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 U3223QE (IPS Black)
- Good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8
3.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
24.3 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
N/A
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
139 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
7.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
The Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) is good for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$825
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) costs $825.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
2104:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
438 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.9 %
Matte
COATING
Semi-Gloss
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Dell U3223QE (IPS Black) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $825 | ||
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 | IPS Black | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 2104:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 438 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 % | 100 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 24.3 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | N/A | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 139 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Semi-Gloss | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 1 | |
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 | 0 | |
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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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