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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If you're looking for a monitor within a tight budget and your main activities include productivity tasks and digital photo editing, the Dell S2721QS with its higher resolution might suit you well, although it won't deliver the best experience for HDR gaming and media consumption. On the other hand, if your focus is on a premium gaming experience, including competitive gaming and enjoying HDR content with deep blacks and vibrant colors, and you're willing to invest more, the MSI MAG 271QPX is a top-performing monitor for these uses. However, for tasks that require more desktop real estate or detailed text clarity for productivity, the higher resolution of the Dell might be preferable. 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 MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
10.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.1 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
4.9
10.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 360 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
7.9
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
164 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.7
9.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$230
$750
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) costs $750.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $750 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 360Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1221:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 1000 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 % | 138.4 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 360 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 164 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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