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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is a priority and you're interested in digital photo editing with good color accuracy, the Dell S2721DGF might suit you. It's also decent for casual gaming. However, if you're looking for top-of-the-line contrast and color volume, and an immersive experience for HDR gaming and media consumption, the MSI MEG 342C will excel, especially with its wider screen. Its premium price reflects its superior performance in color depth and image clarity, making it suitable for print photo editing, but note that text isn't as clear as on the Dell. The MSI's wider aspect ratio isn't as optimal for productivity tasks, where the Dell's traditional aspect ratio could be better. 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
Advantages of the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Excellent for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.5 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.8
5.1
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.4 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 175 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.9
9.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$850
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) costs $850.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) 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 MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.2
5.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Dell S2721DGF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is poor.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-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 MEG 342C (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $850 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 34" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-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 | 236 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 446 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 137.7 % | 98.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 1.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 20 - 175 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
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.
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