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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize digital photo editing and a wider color gamut coverage, the Dell S2721DGF is a strong choice. However, note that for print photo editing, the MSI G274QPF-QD stands out despite its lower price point. When it comes to gaming, both monitors offer good refresh rates and response times, but the Dell has a slight edge in performance due to better brightness and contrast. For general productivity and media consumption, both are adequate, but if cost is a primary concern, the MSI may provide a better value while still delivering a similar resolution and screen size. 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
- Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
- The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S2721DGF (IPS).
Key differences
Cost
$300
$270
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Dell S2721DGF (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
6.2
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
5.9
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both poor for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (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 MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $270 | ||
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 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 300 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 | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | 154 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 48 - 170 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 108 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)
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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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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