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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for a monitor primarily for competitive gaming, the Gigabyte M27Q-X with its higher refresh rate and strobing feature would be a better fit, enhancing your gameplay with smoother motion. However, if the budget is a concern and you're interested in a blend of gaming, productivity, and some photo editing, the Dell S2721DGF offers a high-quality experience at a lower price. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption due to their limited peak brightness, but they both perform well for standard dynamic range content. If print photo editing is part of your workflow, the Gigabyte has an edge with its better AdobeRGB coverage. 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)
- The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS).
Advantages of the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
73.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
8.0
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.8 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$365
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) costs $365.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.2
6.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $365 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 459 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 508 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 % | 100.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 6.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
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 | 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."
Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Zachery Cuevas | August 2022
"The company delivers again with the Gigabyte M27Q X, a 1440p monitor that comes equipped with just about everything you want and need from a gaming monitor. It may not be a 4K panel, but it more than makes up for its lower resolution in performance, bringing a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and a host of unusual features, including an onboard KVM and plenty of ports. It's a great performer, though low brightness levels and a so-so contrast ratio keep it short of top marks."
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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