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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
The Dell S2721DGF offers a solid balance for casual gaming, productivity, and digital photo editing at an upper midrange price, with an adjustable stand and reasonable brightness, but it's not the best for HDR gaming or media consumption. If you're a competitive gamer or want an immersive experience with superior contrast and color depth, and are willing to pay a premium for a larger screen, the MSI 45GS96QB may be a better choice, despite its potentially lower text clarity and image clarity. Keep in mind, however, that the MSI's high refresh rate and excellent contrast make it particularly suited for HDR gaming and media, but it's not ideal for tasks requiring precise color work. 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 text clarity
- Good image clarity
Advantages of the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.2
2.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
5.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$300
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) costs $1,700.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.9
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) 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 MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $1,700 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 45" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | W-OLED | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 275 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | Unknown | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | ||
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 1.4/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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."
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.
By the numbers
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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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