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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
The Dell S2721DGF offers a good balance for casual gaming and productivity at an upper midrange price, with a higher refresh rate beneficial for smooth gameplay, but it is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption. The ViewSonic XG321UG, on the other hand, is at a premium price and better suited for tasks requiring high color accuracy, such as print photo editing, due to its superior HDR capabilities and color gamut, though it has a lower refresh rate making it less ideal for competitive gaming. If budget is less of a concern and color-sensitive work is a priority, consider the ViewSonic; if you're looking for a more cost-effective option that favors gaming and everyday tasks, the Dell might be the right choice. 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 refresh rate
Advantages of the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED)
- Good for productivity
- Good brightness
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8
4.6
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
6.3 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.6 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
137 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is good for productivity, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$300
$2,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) has a price of $300 and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) costs $2,300.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) 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 ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
882:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
368 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
485 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
97.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DGF (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) 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 ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DGF (IPS) | ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $2,300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | 1152 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 882:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 368 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 485 nits | 1400 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 % | ||
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 6.3 ms | 3.6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 48,144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 137 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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)
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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