A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need a monitor primarily for productivity and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS with its crisp text quality and large color gamut will serve you well. However, if you're a serious gamer or want an immersive experience with better contrast and HDR capabilities for gaming and media, the MSI 45GS96QB will provide superior performance in those areas. Keep in mind, the MSI is significantly more expensive, but it offers a wider screen and exceptional response times for competitive gaming. Additionally, the OLED panel on the MSI will deliver superior image clarity but may not be as suitable for productivity due to its coating affecting text clarity. 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)
- Good for productivity
- Very good text clarity
- Very 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
5.9
9.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
98.5 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.9
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
2.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
6.7
5.4
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
275 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Cost
$230
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) costs $1,700.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $1,700 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 45" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | W-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 240Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 275 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | Unknown | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | ||
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 1.4/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. MSI G273QPF (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. ViewSonic XG2431 (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S2721QS (IPS) vs. KTC H27T22 (IPS)
VS
Compare MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) vs. LG 45GR95QE (W-OLED)
VS
Compare MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) vs. Corsair 45WQHD240 (W-OLED)
VS
Compare MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) vs. LG 45GR95QE-B (W-OLED)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
