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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high-resolution productivity and digital photo editing are your priorities, the Dell S2721QS, with its sharper 4K resolution, might serve you well despite being a bit pricier. However, if you're focused on casual and competitive gaming, the MSI G273QPF could be a better fit due to its higher refresh rate and superior response time, all while saving you some money. Neither monitor is ideal for HDR gaming or video editing, so if those are critical for you, you may want to consider different options. Both monitors will handle general media consumption adequately, but the Dell's higher resolution could offer a slightly better viewing experience. 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 G273QPF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The MSI G273QPF (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.7
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$280
$244
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $280 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
85.2 %
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 S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI G273QPF (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 MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$280 | $244 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 316 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 132.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 6.9 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 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 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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
See more
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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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