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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and better contrast for deeper blacks in media consumption, the Dell S3221QS with its VA panel is the more cost-effective option. However, if you're willing to invest more for a sharper gaming experience with higher refresh rates and variable refresh rate support, along with better color accuracy for tasks like digital photo editing, the Gigabyte M32U with its IPS panel would be a better fit. Note that while both monitors offer large screens and high resolution for productivity, the Dell has a slower response time and lower refresh rate, which could be detrimental for fast-paced gaming compared to the Gigabyte. 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 M32U (IPS)
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
3.8
4.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
7.1 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
8.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
140 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both very good for productivity, though the Dell S3221QS (VA) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.7
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$320
$650
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) costs $650.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 2160
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1125:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
350 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
456 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
87.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | Gigabyte M32U (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $650 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 32" | |
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 | 16 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1125:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 350 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 456 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 % | 99.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 7.1 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 | 7.9/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 140 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)
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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 M32U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Matthew Murray | June 2022
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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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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