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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option for general use and casual gaming, the Dell S2721DS with its decent image clarity and text quality may suffice. However, if you're a competitive gamer or heavily invested in HDR gaming and media consumption, despite the higher cost, the MSI 45GS96QB offers a larger, more immersive screen with superior contrast and color depth, making it the better option for those uses. Keep in mind, the MSI is pricier but provides a higher refresh rate and better performance for intense gaming sessions and vibrant media playback. 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 S2721DS (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Advantages of the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.8
9.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.9
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.9
2.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are both poor for productivity, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.9
5.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are both poor for media consumption, though the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$309
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) costs $1,700.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $1,700 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 45" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | W-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 75Hz | 240Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 275 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 98.6 % | Unknown | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | ||
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 1.4/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 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 | 1 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell S2721DS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Ural Garrett | November 2021
"General users or casual PC gamers in need of a solid and affordable QHD monitor with a few extras may walk away satisfied with the Dell S2721D."
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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