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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and higher resolution for activities like watching movies or working with large spreadsheets, the Dell S3221QS would be beneficial. However, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers better performance for gaming due to its higher refresh rate and shorter response time, making it suitable for fast-paced games. The MSI also stands out for digital photo editing due to its broader range of colors. Overall, choose the Dell if productivity and media consumption are your priorities, while the MSI should be your pick if you lean towards gaming and color-critical work. 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
90.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
9.1 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (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
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.2
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
3194:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
371 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is good for media consumption, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$360
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $360 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$360 | $436 | ||
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 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 300 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 371 nits | 390 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 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 9.1 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 | 7.3/10 | |
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)
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."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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