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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 predominantly use your monitor for productivity or casual gaming, the Dell S3221QS might be better as it offers a larger screen with higher resolution, good text clarity, and is decent for media consumption. However, if you are a more serious gamer or a creative professional, you might prefer the LG 38WN95C despite its higher cost, as it has much better responsiveness and a wider color gamut, which can be important for gaming and digital photo editing, though it has a lower screen resolution. Both monitors have their strengths, so your choice should be based on what you prioritize more: screen size and cost savings with Dell, or better gaming performance and color accuracy with LG. 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 LG 38WN95C (IPS)
- Good brightness
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
898:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
477 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
692 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
94.1 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 38WN95C (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell S3221QS (VA) is somewhat better.
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
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
477 nits
The LG 38WN95C (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the LG 38WN95C (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
6.6
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
111 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the LG 38WN95C (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
3840 x 1600
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
898:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
477 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
692 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the LG 38WN95C (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$320
$950
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the LG 38WN95C (IPS) costs $950.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 38WN95C (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 38WN95C (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 38WN95C (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and LG 38WN95C (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 LG 38WN95C (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | LG 38WN95C (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $950 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 38" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 1600 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 4 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 898:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 477 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 692 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 % | |
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 | No | |
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 | 111 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
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."
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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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