A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 23, 2024·
If budget is a concern and you're looking for a large, high-resolution screen primarily for productivity with some casual gaming and media consumption, the Dell S3221QS could be a suitable choice. However, if you're willing to invest more for the best visual quality, particularly for HDR gaming and media, along with superior color performance for activities like photo and video editing, the MSI MPG 491CQP would be the better option. Keep in mind, though, if you're into competitive gaming, the MSI may not be ideal due to its lower response time. 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
- Good image clarity
Advantages of the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Best in class for media consumption
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class brightness
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.6
9.9
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
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
99.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is only fair.
Competitive Gaming
3.8
5.5
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
20.9 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.0 ms
40 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 144 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
300 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) and Dell S3221QS (VA) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.5
5.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is very good for productivity, while the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is poor.
Media Consumption
7.2
9.8
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
5120 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 MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the Dell S3221QS (VA) is good.
Cost
$320
$1,100
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Dell S3221QS (VA) has a price of $320 and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) costs $1,100.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The Dell S3221QS (VA) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MPG 491CQP (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 MPG 491CQP (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 MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Dell S3221QS (VA) and MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell S3221QS (VA) and the MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell S3221QS (VA) | MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $1,100 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 49" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
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 % | 146 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 20.9 ms | 0.03 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 40 - 60 Hz | 48 - 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 | 10/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 PPI | 108 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
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."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
More comparisons for you
Compare Dell S3221QS (VA) vs. Dell S3422DWG (VA)
VS
Compare Dell S3221QS (VA) vs. Gigabyte M34WQ (IPS)
VS
Compare Dell S3221QS (VA) vs. Dell S2721DS (IPS)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) vs. Asus XB273U F (IPS)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) vs. LG 32GS95UE (W-OLED)
VS
Compare MSI MPG 491CQP (QD-OLED) vs. Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED)
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,800
Recommendations made
17,670
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
