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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on casual gaming or general productivity and prefer a larger screen with higher resolution, the Dell monitor will serve you well. However, if competitive gaming or digital photo editing is important, the Gigabyte's superior refresh rate and response time make it a better fit despite its smaller size and lower resolution. The Gigabyte is also well-suited for print photo editing with its better color coverage. Both monitors aren't ideal for HDR gaming or HDR video editing, but for standard tasks, the choice depends on the specific needs mentioned above. 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 S3221QS (VA)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Advantages of the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
- Very good for competitive gaming
- Very good refresh rate
- Good brightness
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
3.8
8.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.8 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 240 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
8.5
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$320
$365
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) costs $365.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing while the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.5
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1088:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
459 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
508 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
73.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $365 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 240Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1088:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 459 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 508 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.7 % | 100.1 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 6.8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 20 - 240 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 8/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 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 | 0 | |
Shopping
Dell S3221QS (VA)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Anj Bryant | May 2021
"The Dell S3221QS offers a 4K, 32-inch panel that’s great for streaming videos and casual gaming, with an effective, gentle curve. But color accuracy and HDR performance leave much room for improvement."
Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Zachery Cuevas | August 2022
"The company delivers again with the Gigabyte M27Q X, a 1440p monitor that comes equipped with just about everything you want and need from a gaming monitor. It may not be a 4K panel, but it more than makes up for its lower resolution in performance, bringing a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and a host of unusual features, including an onboard KVM and plenty of ports. It's a great performer, though low brightness levels and a so-so contrast ratio keep it short of top marks."
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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