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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you are on a budget and need a monitor for general productivity with decent image clarity, the Dell monitor is an economical choice. However, if you prioritize immersive gaming and media experiences and are willing to invest in premium quality, the MSI monitor's superior contrast, color depth, and wider screen will significantly enhance your experience. The MSI also offers better performance for HDR gaming and professional creative work, like photo and video editing. For competitive gaming, both monitors are not ideal, but the MSI edges out with a faster response time and variable refresh rate support. 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 MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.8
9.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.9
9.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
1015:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721DS (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$309
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) has a price of $309 and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) costs $1,100.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-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 MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.5
75Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
17.4 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
48 - 75 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
334 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) and Dell S2721DS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
5.9
5.8
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721DS (IPS) and MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) are both poor for productivity.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721DS (IPS) and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721DS (IPS) | MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $1,100 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 49" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 5120 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 75Hz | 144Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1015:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 334 nits | 1000 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 % | 146 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17.4 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 75 Hz | 48 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
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 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 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.
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.
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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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