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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're budget-conscious and primary tasks involve general use or digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS should serve you well and save you money. However, if you're interested in a monitor with better gaming features like a higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, and don't mind paying more, the Gigabyte M28U would be a superior choice, especially for competitive gaming. Both monitors display at a high resolution suitable for productivity and media, but the Gigabyte's additional gaming features might not justify its higher price if gaming isn't a priority for you. 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 S2721QS (IPS)
- Very good text clarity
- Very good image clarity
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.7
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
8.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good.
Cost
$230
$470
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte M28U (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.7
6.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | Gigabyte M28U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $470 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 28" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 1228:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 312 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 495 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 7.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 160 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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 S2721QS (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Scharon Harding | September 2021
"The Dell S2721QS 4K monitor brings IPS-level colors and some handy features, like a versatile stand with height adjustments and picture-in-picture for connecting dual systems. But don’t get it for HDR."
Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
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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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