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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize an immersive media experience and sharper image quality for productivity, the Dell S3221QS with its larger screen and higher resolution is the better option, though it's not ideal for high-action gaming due to its lower refresh rate and response time. On the other hand, if fast-paced gaming or budget-friendliness are more important to you, the MSI G273QPF offers a higher refresh rate and better response time, which reduces ghosting and makes it suitable for competitive gaming, but it won't match the Dell's performance for media consumption and crisp text clarity. 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 MSI G273QPF (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Very good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Dell S3221QS (VA) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
6.9 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
The MSI G273QPF (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
No
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1249:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
316 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
N/A
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the MSI G273QPF (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$320
$244
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the MSI G273QPF (IPS) costs $244.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI G273QPF (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI G273QPF (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 MSI G273QPF (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | MSI G273QPF (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $244 | ||
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 | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | 1249:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 316 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | N/A | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.7 % | 132.7 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 6.9 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 | 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 | 1 | |
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."
MSI G273QPF (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
Display Ninja
Rob Shafer | September 2023
"Thanks to its 27″ 1440p IPS panel with wide color gamut, the MSI G273QF delivers an immersive viewing experience, while the rapid 1ms GtG response time speed, FreeSync, MBR and 165Hz ensure buttery-smooth performance – all that at an appealing price!"
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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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