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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you prioritize photo editing, especially for print, the MSI G274QPF-QD with its wider color gamut could serve you better. For those with an interest in competitive gaming, the MSI's higher refresh rate and response time offer a smoother experience. However, if an adjustable stand and better text clarity are essential for your productivity needs, you might prefer the Dell S2721DS, although the lack of certain gaming features like a high refresh rate might be a downside. Neither monitor is a standout for HDR gaming or media consumption; thus, if that's a primary usage, you may want to consider other options. Both monitors come at a budget-friendly price, so the decision should be guided by which set of features aligns more closely with your specific needs. 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 G274QPF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.8
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$309
$270
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) 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 G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
Productivity
5.9
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) to be only fair for productivity, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
5.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both poor for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (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 G274QPF-QD (IPS) 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 G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $270 | ||
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 | 170Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 300 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 | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 98.6 % | 154 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 48 - 170 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 108 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 | 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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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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