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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sharpness for productivity or watching high-resolution video content is a priority, the Dell S2721QS, with its higher screen resolution, is a solid choice. However, if you're into gaming and want a smoother experience with less blur during fast actions, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD, with a higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, would be better, despite its higher price. The MSI also offers a slightly wider color gamut, making it more suitable for tasks requiring accurate color reproduction, like photo editing. Keep in mind, though, that for HDR gaming and media, neither monitor is particularly strong. 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
14.5 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Dell S2721QS (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.7
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Dell S2721QS (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$230
$436
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) has a price of $230 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S2721QS (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1221:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
373 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
386 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
85.2 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S2721QS (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S2721QS (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$230 | $436 | ||
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 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 373 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 386 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14.5 ms | 9.1 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 | 7.3/10 | |
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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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