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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you heavily value digital photo editing or print photo editing, the Dell S2721DGF could serve you better due to its high sRGB and AdobeRGB coverage, ensuring more accurate colors for these tasks. However, for a more vibrant gaming and media experience, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers a broader color volume. For competitive gamers, both monitors offer high refresh rates and low response times, but the MSI has the added bonus of strobing, which reduces motion blur, giving it an edge. On the other hand, the Dell may be the better choice for productivity due to its better text clarity and image clarity. 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)
- Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Dell S2721DGF (IPS).
Key differences
Cost
$300
$436
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
9.1 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
1195:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $436 | ||
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 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 390 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 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 9.1 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 | 7.3/10 | |
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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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FAQs
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
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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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