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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize high resolution for productivity and media, the Gigabyte M28U with its sharper image might be a better choice but it will cost you more. For casual gaming and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721DGF offers a good experience at a lower price. If competitive gaming is your focus, the Dell's quicker response time and higher refresh rate could benefit you. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming and media, but for most other uses, your decision should hinge on whether you value resolution or gaming performance more within your budget. 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 Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Key differences
Productivity
6.2
8.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$470
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte M28U (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.7
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | Gigabyte M28U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $470 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 28" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1228:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 312 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 495 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 | 7.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 160 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 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
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 M28U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
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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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