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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Back
    5. Borders
    6. Thickness
    7. Build Quality
  5. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Horizontal Viewing Angle
    6. Vertical Viewing Angle
    7. Gray Uniformity
    8. Black Uniformity
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. SDR Color Gamut
    12. SDR Color Volume
    13. HDR Color Gamut
    14. HDR Color Volume
    15. Image Retention
    16. Gradient
    17. Color Bleed
    18. Reflections
    19. Text Clarity
  6. Motion
    1. Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    2. Response Time @ 60Hz
    3. Image Flicker
    4. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    5. Refresh Rate
  7. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Resolution And Size
    3. Inputs
    4. Total Inputs
  8. Features
    1. Additional Features
    2. On-Screen Display (OSD)
    3. Controls
    4. In The Box
  9. Comments

MSI Optix G27C5 vs Dell S2721HGF

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

MSI Optix G27C5
Dell S2721HGF

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated May 24, 2024 02:05 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated May 29, 2023 03:10 PM

Amazon.com
MSI Optix G27C5 Picture
Dell S2721HGF Picture

Variants

  • G27C5 (27")
  • S2721HGF (27")

Our Verdict

MSI Optix G27C5

Dell S2721HGF

The Dell S2721HGF and the MSI Optix G27C5 are both 27 inch VA panel gaming monitors with a 1080p resolution. The MSI has a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate compared to the Dell's 144Hz; however, the Dell has a much better response time, especially in dark scenes. The Dell has better viewing angles, one of the best among VA panel monitors, and it gets brighter to combat glare. If you care about color accuracy or want to use it for content creation, the Dell has better accuracy out of the box, but the MSI has a better SDR color gamut.

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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.3

Ergonomics 
 

1.5
5.2

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

5.3
6.9

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Design Picture
Dell S2721HGF Design Picture

Size  

27"
27"

Curved  

Yes
Yes

Curve Radius  

1500R
1500R

Weight (without stand) 
 

8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)
15.0 lbs (6.8 kg)
Show Text 

Stand  

Stand Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Stand Picture
Dell S2721HGF Stand Picture

Width 
 

18.7" (47.5 cm)
9.2" (23.3 cm)

Depth 
 

9.8" (24.9 cm)
7.6" (19.4 cm)
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

1.5
5.2

Ergonomics Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Ergonomics Picture
Dell S2721HGF Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

0.0" (0.0 cm)
5.0" (12.8 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

No
No

Swivel Range  

No swivel
No swivel

Tilt Range  

-20° to 5°
-21° to 5°
Show Text 

Back  

Back Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Back Picture
Dell S2721HGF Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Borders  

Borders Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Borders Picture
Dell S2721HGF Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.3" (0.7 cm)
Show Text 

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Thickness Picture
Dell S2721HGF Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

8.6" (21.9 cm)
6.2" (15.8 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

3.3" (8.3 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.0
8.0

Build Quality Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Build Quality Picture
Dell S2721HGF Build Quality Picture
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

8.2
8.1

Checkerboard Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Checkerboard Picture
Dell S2721HGF Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

3,676 : 1
3,432 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

7.4
7.5

SDR Real Scene 
 

287 cd/m²
288 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

284 cd/m²
320 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

284 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

285 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

285 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

285 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

284 cd/m²
320 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

284 cd/m²
321 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

285 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

284 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

285 cd/m²
322 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.000
0.000
Show Text 

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

0.0
0.0

HDR Real Scene 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR ABL 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

5.3
6.9

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Horizontal Chroma Graph
Dell S2721HGF Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

26°
46°

Color Washout From Right 
 

26°
45°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Horizontal Hue Graph
Dell S2721HGF Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

39°
68°

Color Shift From Right 
 

39°
69°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Horizontal Lightness Graph
Dell S2721HGF Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

28°
46°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

28°
45°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

13°
23°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

14°
21°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

15°
18°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

15°
17°
Show Text 

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

5.2
6.0

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Vertical Chroma Graph
Dell S2721HGF Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

27°
33°

Color Washout From Above 
 

28°
34°

Vertical Hue Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Vertical Hue Graph
Dell S2721HGF Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

44°
53°

Color Shift From Above 
 

43°
54°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

MSI Optix G27C5 Vertical Lightness Graph
Dell S2721HGF Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

29°
35°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

29°
35°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

11°
16°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

11°
15°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

11°
17°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

10°
19°
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

9.0
8.6

50% Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 50% Uniformity Picture
Dell S2721HGF 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

1.750%
3.023%

50% DSE 
 

0.097%
0.114%

5% Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 5% Uniformity Picture
Dell S2721HGF 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.691%
0.599%

5% DSE 
 

0.060%
0.072%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

6.0
5.4

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Native Black Uniformity Picture
Dell S2721HGF Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

1.977%
2.427%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

MSI Optix G27C5 Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Dell S2721HGF Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Pre Calibration 
 

6.6
8.0

Pre Calibration Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Pre Calibration Picture
Dell S2721HGF Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Dell S2721HGF Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Pre Color Picture
Dell S2721HGF Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

User
Standard

Luminance 
 

282 cd/m²
250 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

100
75

Contrast Setting 
 

70
75

RGB Controls 
 

Normal
100-100-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,083 K
6,353 K

White Balance dE 
 

3.59
2.73

Color dE 
 

4.00
2.27

Gamma 
 

2.00
2.25
Show Text 

Post Calibration 
 

9.6
9.7

Post Calibration Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Post Calibration Picture
Dell S2721HGF Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Post Gamma Curve Picture
Dell S2721HGF Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Post Color Picture
Dell S2721HGF Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Luminance 
 

100 cd/m²
99 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

56
21

Contrast Setting 
 

55
78

RGB Controls 
 

55-58-78
100-98-100

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,397 K
6,536 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.63
0.48

Color dE 
 

0.70
0.61

Gamma 
 

2.18
2.18
Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

8.9
8.6

Color Gamut sRGB Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Gamut sRGB Picture
Dell S2721HGF Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

97.2%
96.8%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Gamut ARGB Picture
Dell S2721HGF Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

81.1%
75.8%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color
Show Text 

SDR Color Volume 
 

9.4
8.9

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell S2721HGF sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

99.1%
97.1%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell S2721HGF Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

88.5%
81.3%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
Custom Color
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

0.0
0.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

N/A
N/A

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
Dell S2721HGF Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

N/A
N/A

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
Dell S2721HGF Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

N/A
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

0.0
0.0

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell S2721HGF P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
N/A

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
Dell S2721HGF 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR
Show Text 

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Image Retention Picture
Dell S2721HGF Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

8.6
8.6

Gradient Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Gradient Picture
Dell S2721HGF Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

8 Bit
8 Bit
Show Text 

Color Bleed 
 

10
10

Color Bleed Horizontal  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Bleed Horizontal
Dell S2721HGF Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.001%
0.000%

Color Bleed Vertical  

MSI Optix G27C5 Color Bleed Vertical
Dell S2721HGF Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.001%
0.001%
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

7.5
7.9

Average Room  

MSI Optix G27C5 Average Room
Dell S2721HGF Average Room

Average Room Off Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Average Room Off Picture
Dell S2721HGF Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Bright Room Off Picture
Dell S2721HGF Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

5.4%
4.5%

Indirect Reflections 
 

3.2%
2.7%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

2.1%
1.8%
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

7.0
7.0

ClearType On  

MSI Optix G27C5 ClearType On
Dell S2721HGF ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

VA
VA

ClearType Off  

MSI Optix G27C5 ClearType Off
Dell S2721HGF ClearType Off

Pixels  

MSI Optix G27C5 Pixels
Dell S2721HGF Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 
Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

8.0
8.6

Motion Blur Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Motion Blur Picture
Dell S2721HGF Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

MSI Optix G27C5 Response Time Table
Dell S2721HGF Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Fastest
Super Fast

Rise / Fall Time 
 

5.5 ms
5.0 ms

Total Response Time 
 

13.0 ms
13.0 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

6.4%
3.5%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

12.4 ms
4.0 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

21.3 ms
14.8 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
8.3%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

7.3
7.1

Motion Blur Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Motion Blur Picture
Dell S2721HGF Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

MSI Optix G27C5 Response Time Table
Dell S2721HGF Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Fast
Super Fast

Rise / Fall Time 
 

6.6 ms
6.0 ms

Total Response Time 
 

17.8 ms
19.6 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

3.5%
6.4%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

10.3 ms
6.5 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

25.8 ms
24.5 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

2.6%
10.9%
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Backlight Picture
Dell S2721HGF Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

6.1
6.0

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

Yes
Yes

BFI Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 BFI Picture
Dell S2721HGF BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 BFI Frequency Picture
Dell S2721HGF BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

165 Hz
144 Hz

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz
Show Text 

Refresh Rate 
 

9.2
9.0

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

FreeSync
Adaptive Sync

Native 
 

165 Hz
144 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

165 Hz
144 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
Yes

FreeSync 
 

Yes
Yes

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)

VRR Maximum 
 

165 Hz
144 Hz

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors  

DisplayPort, HDMI
DisplayPort, HDMI
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.6
9.5

Native Resolution 
 

3.4 ms
4.1 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

9.3 ms
8.9 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

3.6 ms
4.9 ms

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

9.3 ms
9.9 ms

10 Bit HDR 
 

N/A
N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

4.9 ms
8.9 ms
Show Text 

Resolution And Size 
 

7.1
7.1

Native Resolution  

1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

2.1 MP
2.1 MP

Pixel Density 
 

82 PPI
82 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

27.0"
27.0"

Screen Area  

310 in²
310 in²
Show Text 

Inputs  

Inputs 1  

MSI Optix G27C5 Inputs 1
Dell S2721HGF Inputs 1

Inputs 2  

MSI Optix G27C5 Inputs 2
Dell S2721HGF Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.4)

Mini DisplayPort  

No
No

HDMI  

2 (HDMI 1.4)
2 (HDMI 1.4)

DVI  

No
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

No
No

USB  

No
No

USB C  

No
No

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

No
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

External Brick
Internal
Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

No
No

HDR10  

No
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 OSD Picture
Dell S2721HGF OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 Controls Picture
Dell S2721HGF Controls Picture
Show Text 

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

MSI Optix G27C5 In The Box Picture
Dell S2721HGF In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Check Price

MSI Optix G27C5

Dell S2721HGF

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