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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If you're on a tighter budget and value immersive experiences in media consumption and casual gaming, the Dell S3221QS with its larger screen and good contrast could serve you well. However, if you're willing to invest more for a sharper image and better performance in competitive gaming thanks to higher refresh rates and quicker response times, the Gigabyte M28U might be the better choice despite its smaller size. The Gigabyte also offers wider connectivity options, advantageous if you require multiple and varied input sources. Moreover, for tasks like digital photo editing, both monitors should perform similarly with good color coverage. 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)
- Good for media consumption
- Good contrast
Advantages of the Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
3.8
5.7
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.7 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$360
$470
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $360 and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) costs $470.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1228:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
312 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
495 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
65.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
8.5
8.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
160 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both very good for productivity.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are not suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | Gigabyte M28U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $470 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 28" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 8 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1228:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 312 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 495 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 % | 99.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 7.7 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 20 - 144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 160 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
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 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 M28U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
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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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