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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If image clarity and photo editing are your priority, the Dell S2721DS with its good color accuracy could serve you well, but it's not the best for gaming due to its lower refresh rate and response time. On the other hand, the MSI G273QPF excels in competitive gaming because of its higher refresh rate, faster response time, and support for variable refresh rate technology to reduce screen tearing. However, this model may not be as suitable for tasks requiring the highest color fidelity, like print photo editing, despite its better gaming performance. Both are suitable for general productivity and casual gaming, with trade-offs in either color precision or gaming prowess. 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)
- The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has no clear advantages over the MSI G273QPF (IPS).
Advantages of the MSI G273QPF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.8
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The MSI G273QPF (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$309
$244
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G273QPF (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
5.9
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G273QPF (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G273QPF (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $244 | ||
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 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 75Hz | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 316 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 98.6 % | 132.7 % | |
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | |||
Suitable for Digital Photo Editing | No | Yes | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 6.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
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 | 1 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"Thanks to its 27″ 1440p IPS panel with wide color gamut, the MSI G273QF delivers an immersive viewing experience, while the rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, FreeSync, MBR and 165Hz ensure buttery-smooth performance – all that at an appealing price!"
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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.
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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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