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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If cost is a significant factor and you're looking for a large screen with good image clarity for productivity and casual gaming, the Dell S3221QS might suit your needs. However, if you're willing to invest more for an exceptional gaming experience with high contrast, color accuracy for professional photo and video editing, and HDR content, the MSI MAG 271QPX would be a better fit, especially for competitive gaming. The Dell provides a 4K resolution which is great for sharp text and detailed images, but the MSI's superior color performance and refresh rate make it outstanding for fast-paced games and creative work where color fidelity is crucial. 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 text clarity
Advantages of the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for competitive gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class refresh rate
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
10.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.1 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
10.0
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
360Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 360 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is poor.
Productivity
8.5
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.2
9.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$320
$750
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) costs $750.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | MSI MAG 271QPX (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $750 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 360Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 3194:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 1000 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.7 % | 138.4 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 360 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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."
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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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