[PCM2]

Our review of the Dell G2725D is now live. This is a budget-oriented 180Hz 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p) IPS LCD. It offers only a basic array of ports, a cut down OSD and tilt-only stand. It performed well in some areas, such as static contrast and glare-handling. Pixel responsiveness was good for a budget IPS offering and input lag was very low, without interruptions like VRR flickering either. The experience was less impressive when it came to viewing angle performance (exacerbated by the fixed-height stand), optimisation of the pixel response time settings and some additional quirks.

Some points of comparison with the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2:

– Both models are based on BOE IPS-ADS panels, so there are certainly some similar characteristics.

– The MSI has a Quantum Dot (QD) LED backlight which enhances the colour gamut, for greater vibrancy potential. And also superior coverage of extended colour spaces for those wishing to work within them. Some find the more balanced spectrum provided by the QD LED backlight more comfortable, but most should find either model comfortable.

– The MSI offers emulation modes which clamp the gamut to various colour spaces – sRGB, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB. The Dell lacks any colour space emulation settings.

– Both models offer similar contrast in practice as well as having a similar ‘relatively light’ matte screen surface. Technically my Dell unit had slightly stronger measured contrast than my MSI model, but it wasn’t a drastic difference and could be partly accounted for by inter-unit variation.

– The MSI offers a superior brightness adjustment range, which is 54 – 511 nits vs. 87 – 405 nits recorded for the Dell.

– The MSI offers HDR, albeit offers a weak HDR experience. Still, some like even weak HDR for added variety when gaming and a different look to things. It also allows you to use Windows ACM (Auto Color Management) if you so wish.

– The MSI offers slightly better tuned pixel responses for the highest refresh rates it supports. Not an astronomical difference, but still a slight advantage to the MSI there as covered in the review. It also offers a strobe backlight or ‘MPRT’ setting, which the Dell lacks.

– The MSI has a far more comprehensive and more intuitively controlled OSD (On Screen Display), including various settings to adjust things like dark visibility and sharpness (not just unlocked when monitor scaling is used). It also has on-screen aids such as FPS counters and crosshairs and includes a ‘4K’ UHD downsampling mode.

– The MSI offers superior ergonomic flexibility, with the Dell sitting too low for me personally using its fixed stands. This also exacerbated some viewing angle issues I observed as the ‘sweet spot’ is relatively small for IPS models with these BOE IPS-ADS panels.
– It also offers USB functionality including USB-C with 65W PD and KVM functionality with easy switching. The dell offers a more basic array of ports without USB of any type.

– The Dell includes 100 x 100mm VESA mounting rather than the 75 x 75mm VESA used on the MSI. Many mounts will support both, but not all do and 100 x 100mm VESA is a bit more widely supported.

So overall I feel the MSI is the superior monitor, but the trump card for the Dell is that it’s the cheaper option. Regularly on sale for under $200 USD and sometimes closer to $150 (£150). The MSI is generally closer to $250 USD (£250), so when considering the price to performance ratio offered by the Dell I still think it has its place if you’re on a tight budget.

[Author]

Posts