If affordability is a priority and you engage mostly in competitive gaming, the Dell S2721DGF is a solid choice with a higher refresh rate for smooth gameplay. However, if you're interested in a larger screen with higher resolution for more detailed images in productivity tasks and media consumption and don't mind spending more, the Gigabyte M32U could be a better fit even though its refresh rate is slightly lower. Keep in mind neither is ideal for HDR gaming or video editing due to their limited HDR peak brightness and color volume. Both offer good text quality and image clarity for everyday use. 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 M32U (IPS)
Very good for productivity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8/10
4.5/10
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2/10
8.0/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9/10
6.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$650
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) costs $650.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9/10
6.2/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte M32U (IPS) 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 Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) compare to other monitors
"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."
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
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.
By the numbers
210
Monitors evaluated
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Monitors stats compiled
15
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117,800
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17,670
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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.