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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize digital photo editing and want a monitor with an adjustable stand, the Dell S2721DGF would serve you well despite its higher price. However, for budget-conscious customers looking for decent gaming and productivity performance, the MSI G273QPF provides good value and includes a strobing feature which can improve motion clarity in games. The Dell offers slightly better brightness and contrast, but both monitors have similar refresh rates and screen size, making the MSI a competitive option if cost-saving is a priority and you can forgo some of the Dell's additional features. 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 MSI G273QPF (IPS).
Advantages of the MSI G273QPF (IPS)
- The MSI G273QPF (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S2721DGF (IPS).
Key differences
Cost
$300
$244
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G273QPF (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
6.2
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI G273QPF (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G273QPF (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 MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (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 MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $244 | ||
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 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 316 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | 132.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 6.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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 | 1 | |
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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"Thanks to its 27″ 1440p IPS panel with wide color gamut, the MSI G273QF delivers an immersive viewing experience, while the rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, FreeSync, MBR and 165Hz ensure buttery-smooth performance – all that at an appealing price!"
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Why trust us
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
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Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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