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Dell S3220DGF Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.1
Review updated Oct 21, 2020 at 10:20 am
Latest change: Writing modified Jan 16, 2023 at 04:42 pm
Dell S3220DGF Picture
7.7
Mixed Usage
7.5
Office
8.0
Gaming
7.6
Multimedia
7.8
Media Creation
7.1
HDR Gaming

The Dell S3220DGF is an impressive 1440p gaming monitor. It has a curved design and it doesn't take up much room, even with the support stand attached. Gaming feels responsive due to the fast refresh rate and low input lag. Also, the native FreeSync support should help reduce any screen tearing. It can display deep blacks in a dimly lit room thanks to its VA panel's high contrast ratio. That said, its viewing angles are inadequate, which means that images look washed out when viewed from the side. It has decent reflection handling and okay peak brightness, making it suitable for a moderately-lit room, but visibility can be an issue if there's direct light.

Our Verdict

7.7 Mixed Usage

The Dell S3220DGF is a good monitor for mixed use. It has a large size and its 1440p resolution allows for a good amount of multi-tasking, but it doesn't offer as much real estate as a full 4k screen would. It has low input lag, and the fast response time ensures that motion blur is minimal in fast-moving scenes. Also, it has a good contrast ratio and black uniformity, which means content looks good in a dark room. That said, viewing angles are disappointing, which results in images looking washed out when viewed from the side.

Pros
  • Very low input lag.
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • 165Hz refresh rate.
  • Very good contrast ratio.
Cons
  • Image degrades when viewed from the side.
  • Response time slower than other similar monitors.
  • Monitor can't rotate into portrait mode.
  • Okay black uniformity.
7.5 Office

The Dell S3220DGF is a good monitor for office use. It has a large screen size and high resolution, which allows you to have multiple windows open side-by-side. It has decent reflection handling and gets bright enough to overcome glare. The ergonomics are only okay, as it can't rotate into a portrait mode, and the picture quality suffers when looking at it from a side angle.

Pros
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Very good contrast ratio.
  • Large 1440p screen.
Cons
  • Image degrades when viewed from the side.
  • Monitor can't rotate into portrait mode.
8.0 Gaming

The Dell S3220DGF is an impressive gaming monitor. It has a very low input lag, which ensures a responsive gaming experience. It has FreeSync technology for reducing screen tearing and its fast response time ensures that motion blur is minimal in fast-moving scenes. While its response time isn't as good as other 165Hz monitors, it should still be good enough for most people.

Pros
  • Very low input lag.
  • 165Hz refresh rate.
  • Large 1440p screen.
Cons
  • Response time slower than other similar monitors.
7.6 Multimedia

The Dell S3220DGF is a good monitor for multimedia use. Its screen size is large and it has a high resolution, which allows for a more immersive experience. It's decent at handling reflections and overcoming glare. Also, its low input lag makes it very responsive. That said, its viewing angles are disappointing, resulting in the image looking washed out when viewed from the side.

Pros
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Large 1440p screen.
Cons
  • Image degrades when viewed from the side.
  • Okay black uniformity.
7.8 Media Creation

The Dell S3220DGF is a very good monitor for content creators. It's pretty large with a high resolution, which is optimal for displaying multiple windows side-by-side. Ergonomics are only okay, as there's no portrait mode, but it's easy to adjust it into a comfortable position. Unfortunately, viewing angles are disappointing as the image quality degrades when viewed from the side.

Pros
  • Excellent gray uniformity.
  • Very good contrast ratio.
  • Large 1440p screen.
Cons
  • Image degrades when viewed from the side.
  • Monitor can't rotate into portrait mode.
  • Okay black uniformity.
7.1 HDR Gaming

The Dell S3220DGF is a decent choice for HDR gaming. The high contrast ratio makes blacks look deep in a dark room. It can display HDR games with bright, vivid colors due to its wide color gamut and decent HDR peak brightness, but lacks any local dimming feature. On the upside, it has outstandingly low input lag and a good response time overall.

Pros
  • Very low input lag.
  • Very good contrast ratio.
  • Large 1440p screen.
Cons
  • Okay black uniformity.
  • No local dimming.
  • Only decent HDR peak brightness.
  • 7.7 Mixed Usage
  • 7.5 Office
  • 8.0 Gaming
  • 7.6 Multimedia
  • 7.8 Media Creation
  • 7.1 HDR Gaming
  1. Updated Jan 16, 2023: Clarified that the monitor's max Refresh Rate over HDMI is 144Hz and it can't be overclocked.
  2. Updated Jul 04, 2022: There was a mistake in the 60Hz input lag results. We remeasured the input lag at 60Hz, and it's 0.6ms higher than our original results.
  3. Updated Dec 07, 2020: We've corrected the number of USB ports available.
  4. Updated Oct 21, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  5. Updated Aug 20, 2020: We double-checked the native refresh rate and updated our text.
  6. Updated Feb 17, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
  7. Updated Oct 17, 2019: Review published.
  8. Updated Oct 15, 2019: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Oct 15, 2019: Early access published.
  10. Updated Oct 13, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  11. Updated Sep 18, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 32 inch Dell S3220DGF, which is the only size available.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Dell S3220DGF doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, such as gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.

Update 09/11/2020: It appears that the June 2020 revision (A03) of this monitor behaves a bit differently, adding a default 120Hz refresh rate, and removing the 144Hz option.

The Dell S3220DGF we tested was manufactured in August 2019.

Compared To Other Monitors

The Dell S3220DGF is a curved gaming monitor with great gaming performance. It has a low input lag and supports FreeSync, but its response time is slower than other 165Hz monitors. See also our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best curved monitors, and the best 1440p monitors.

Dell S3222DGM

The Dell S3220DGF is better than the Dell S3222DGM overall, but the differences might not matter to everyone. The S3220DGF supports HDR, it has better ergonomics, and it has better connectivity, with a built-in USB hub. For gaming, the S3222DGM is a better choice, as it has an optional black frame insertion feature and a faster response time.

Dell S3221QS

Overall, the Dell S3220DGF is slightly better than the Dell S3221QS. The S3220DGF is better suited for gaming, as it has lower input, faster response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. It also has much better ergonomics and gets brighter in HDR. On the other hand, the S3221QS has a 4k resolution and wider viewing angles.

Dell S3422DWG

The Dell S3422DWG is much better than the Dell S3220DGF. The S3422DWG has a faster response time, better black uniformity, and a higher-resolution screen, resulting in better text clarity. The S3422DWG also has an optional backlight strobing feature. The S3220DGF has better ergonomics, with a better height adjustment, and the base can swivel.

ASUS TUF VG32VQ

The ASUS TUF VG32VQ and the Dell S3220DGF are very much alike, as they both have a 32" screen, a 1440p resolution on a VA panel, and they both support FreeSync. The main difference between them is that the Dell's refresh rate defaults to 165Hz over DisplayPort, it has better black uniformity than the ASUS, and better color accuracy. However, it can't get as bright as the ASUS in SDR content, it has worse reflection handling and doesn't have a black frame insertion feature, which the ASUS does.

Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T

The Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T is better than the Dell S3220DGF for most uses. The Samsung has a higher refresh rate, 240Hz compared to the Dell's 165Hz, and its response times are significantly faster, resulting in clearer images in fast-moving scenes. It has better reflection handling and gets brighter to combat glare. You can get the Samsung in a 27-inch or 32-inch size, but the Dell is only available in a 32-inch.

LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B

The Dell S3220DGF and the LG 32GN650-B/32GN63T-B perform similarly overall, although the LG has a slight edge when it comes to gaming. They're both 32-inch VA panels with 1440p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. One of the biggest differences is that the Dell is curved, while the LG is not. Most importantly, the LG has a faster response time and even includes a Black Frame Insertion feature. If you do a lot of HDR gaming, the Dell may be a better option, though, since it gets a bit brighter and has a wide color gamut.

AOC CQ32G1

The Dell S3220DGF is better overall than the AOC CQ32G1. The Dell has a higher refresh rate, as well as a much better response time, it supports HDR, and the screen has better uniformity. However, the AOC gets brighter, it has wider viewing angles, the out-of-the-box color accuracy is better, and it has a black frame insertion feature to clear up motion blur.

Gigabyte G32QC

Overall, the Dell S3220DGF and the Gigabyte G32QC are very similar. The Dell has better ergonomics, black uniformity, and gradient handling. On the flip side, the Gigabyte has faster response time, and its higher brightness makes it more suitable for well-lit rooms.

ASUS TUF VG27AQ

Overall, the ASUS TUF VG27AQ is a better monitor than the Dell S3220DGF for most uses. Although it has a smaller screen size, the Asus has the same 1440p resolution as the Dell. The ASUS has an IPS panel with wide viewing angles, but the Dell's VA panel offers a much better contrast ratio, and it can also get brighter to fight glare in bright rooms. The ASUS has a faster response time, a black frame insertion feature, and its ergonomics are better than the Dell.

Gigabyte M32Q

The Dell S3220DGF and the Gigabyte M32Q use different panel types, each with strengths and weaknesses, so the best one depends a bit on your needs. The Dell uses a VA panel, so it's best-suited for a darker environment. The Gigabyte doesn't look as good in a dark room but otherwise outperforms the Dell. The Gigabyte has a much faster response time, better viewing angles, and an optional black frame insertion feature, so it's a much better gaming monitor.

Dell Alienware AW3418DW

The Dell Alienware AW3418DW and the Dell S3220DGF have different panel types, each with advantages and disadvantages. The Alienware has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, which is great for co-op gaming, while the S3220DGF has better dark room performance thanks to its VA panel. The Alienware offers you more space to work on thanks to its larger screen size and better resolution, but the S3220DGF supports HDR, so you can enjoy the latest HDR games.

Samsung CHG70

The Samsung CHG70 is slightly better than the Dell S3220DGF. The Samsung has an optional black frame insertion feature to help the appearance of motion, and a better ergonomic stand that allows you to place the monitor in a comfortable position with ease. The Dell, on the other hand, displays more uniform blacks, which is important when working in a dark room.

LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B

The LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B and the Dell S3220DGF have very similar overall performance, with the LG being marginally better. The LG has an IPS panel with much wider viewing angles, it gets brighter, and it has better reflection handling. The LG's response time is much faster, but the Dell has a slightly higher refresh rate, a bigger screen, and a higher contrast ratio thanks to its VA panel.

Dell S2721DGF

The Dell S3220DGF and the Dell S2721DGF both have a 1440p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, but they have different panel types. The S3220DGF has a 32 inch curved VA panel, while the S2721DGF has a 27 inch flat IPS panel. The S2721DGF's motion handling is significantly better because it has much quicker response times. It also has better reflection handling, wider viewing angles, and gets brighter to combat glare. If you mostly game in the dark, the S3220DGF might be a better choice because it has a much higher contrast ratio to produce deeper blacks.

LG 32GK850G-B

For most uses, the Dell S3220DGF performs better than the LG 32GK850G-B. For gaming, the main difference is that the LG is a native G-SYNC monitor, while the Dell supports FreeSync. Also, the Dell has a curved screen and it supports HDR, but its response time is a bit slower than the LG's.

ASUS TUF Gaming VG27WQ1B

The Dell S3220DGF is better overall than the ASUS TUF VG27WQ1B. The Dell has much better ergonomics, it gets significantly brighter in HDR, has a quicker response time at 165Hz, and is bigger. However, the ASUS gets brighter in SDR, has a quicker response time at 60Hz, a Black Frame Insertion feature, and better reflection handling.

Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0)

The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) is better than the Dell S3220DGF for most uses. The Gigabyte has a much better response time to deliver a clearer image in fast-moving scenes. It also has wider viewing angles, gets brighter to fight glare, and offers more features, like USB-C input and a built-in KVM switch. The Dell has a bigger screen, but it has the same 1440p resolution, so images and text don't appear as sharp as on the Gigabyte because it has a lower pixel density. That said, the Dell might be a good choice if you want better dark room performance because it uses a VA panel with a much better contrast ratio.

LG 32GK650F-B

The Dell S3220DGF is better than the LG 32GK650F-B. The Dell has a much better build quality, significantly better reflection handling and much better gradient performance. Also, the Dell has better gray uniformity and supports HDR, but the LG has better ergonomics, much better color accuracy, and has an optional black frame insertion feature to reduce the appearance of motion blur.

ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q

The ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q and the Dell S3220DGF have different panel types, each with advantages and disadvantages. The Asus has an IPS panel and maintains an accurate image for wider viewing angles, which is great if you do collaborative work. The Dell, on the other hand, has a VA panel that delivers deeper and more uniform blacks, which is great if you often game in a dark room. The Dell has a much faster refresh rate and supports HDR, whereas the ASUS is larger with a higher resolution that displays more of your work, minimizing scrolling.

Dell S3219D

The Dell S3220DGF is much better than the Dell S3219D. The S3220DGF has a much faster refresh rate and a lower input lag, which is great for gaming. The D3220 also supports HDR, and its more versatile stand allows you to place it in a comfortable position with ease.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Size 32"
Curved Yes
Curve Radius 1800R
Weight (without stand)
16.8 lbs (7.6 kg)
Weight (with stand)
24.0 lbs (10.9 kg)

The Dell S3220DGF's design is quite similar to most other Dell monitors, only that the logos on the front and back of the screen are blue. It's a fairly large screen, and while the stand is larger than some of the other Dell monitors on the market, it's still not very big.

Design
Stand
Width
12.6" (32.0 cm)
Depth
10.1" (25.7 cm)

The stand does a good job of supporting the monitor and preventing most of the wobble. It's not too big and leaves enough space for other items to be placed in front of it.

6.8
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
5.4" (13.7 cm)
Switch Portrait/Landscape No
Swivel Range -30Ā° to 30Ā°
Tilt Range -20Ā° to 5Ā°

The Dell S3220DGF's ergonomics are only okay. It can easily be placed in a comfortable position, but like most curved monitors, it can't rotate into portrait mode.

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 100x100

The back of the monitor is plain. Cable management is serviced through the stand, and it has a quick-release button.

Design
Borders
Borders
0.3" (0.8 cm)

Update 05/06/2020: The borders were incorrectly measured as 1.1" (2.8cm) thick. The measurement has been fixed.

The borders are thin and favor a multi-monitor setup.

Design
Thickness
Thickness (with stand)
7.2" (18.3 cm)
Thickness (without stand)
3.2" (8.1 cm)

The overall thickness isn't very big, even with the stand attached. However, as with most curved monitors, it sticks out a little when it's wall-mounted.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

The Dell S3220DGF has a good build quality. The entire construction is heavy and feels sturdy with no gaps or loose ends. The stand provides good support and prevents most wobble.

Picture Quality
7.9
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
2,953 : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

The Dell S3220DGF has a very good contrast ratio. Thanks to its VA panel, blacks look deep in a dark room. The contrast ratio can vary between individual units.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Direct

The Dell S3220DGF doesn't have a local dimming feature. The above video is provided for reference only.

7.4
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene
284 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 2% Window
292 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 10% Window
292 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 25% Window
293 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 50% Window
293 cd/mĀ²
SDR Peak 100% Window
293 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
291 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
292 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
292 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
293 cd/mĀ²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
293 cd/mĀ²
SDR ABL
0.000

The Dell S3220DGF has decent peak brightness. It should be able to combat glare in most rooms, although you should avoid placing it in a very bright one. If you need a brighter screen, increasing the contrast results in a noticeably brighter, but less accurate image. If you want something that gets significantly brighter with real content, look into the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27WQ1B.

7.0
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene
444 cd/mĀ²
HDR Peak 2% Window
468 cd/mĀ²
HDR Peak 10% Window
468 cd/mĀ²
HDR Peak 25% Window
468 cd/mĀ²
HDR Peak 50% Window
468 cd/mĀ²
HDR Peak 100% Window
468 cd/mĀ²
HDR Sustained 2% Window
460 cd/mĀ²
HDR Sustained 10% Window
456 cd/mĀ²
HDR Sustained 25% Window
457 cd/mĀ²
HDR Sustained 50% Window
459 cd/mĀ²
HDR Sustained 100% Window
461 cd/mĀ²
HDR ABL
0.001

The Dell S3220DGF has decent HDR peak brightness. It can bring out highlights in HDR, but there's a slight variation in brightness with varied content.

5.8
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
28Ā°
Color Washout From Right
29Ā°
Color Shift From Left
48Ā°
Color Shift From Right
53Ā°
Brightness Loss From Left
31Ā°
Brightness Loss From Right
32Ā°
Black Level Raise From Left
13Ā°
Black Level Raise From Right
15Ā°
Gamma Shift From Left
19Ā°
Gamma Shift From Right
19Ā°

As is the case with most VA panel monitors, the horizontal viewing angle is disappointing. You quickly lose image accuracy when viewed from the side, and since it has such a large screen, the sides of the screen appear darker if you sit too close. If you're interested in a VA panel with fairly wide viewing angles, check out the AOC CQ32G1.

5.6
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
28Ā°
Color Washout From Above
27Ā°
Color Shift From Below
60Ā°
Color Shift From Above
63Ā°
Brightness Loss From Below
31Ā°
Brightness Loss From Above
31Ā°
Black Level Raise From Below
9Ā°
Black Level Raise From Above
10Ā°
Gamma Shift From Below
15Ā°
Gamma Shift From Above
13Ā°

The monitor has a disappointing vertical viewing angle. You lose image accuracy if it's mounted above or below eye level. Also, if you sit close to the screen, the top and bottom edges appear darker.

8.9
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
2.092%
50% DSE
0.102%
5% Std. Dev.
0.721%
5% DSE
0.071%

The Dell S3220DGF has excellent gray uniformity, better than most monitors we've seen, but this could vary from unit to unit. The sides of the screen appear darker mainly due to the viewing angles, but other than that, you shouldn't notice any uniformity issues.

6.6
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
1.580%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

The monitor's black uniformity is only okay. There's some slight blooming at the corners and around the edges, but it's almost impossible to notice in real content. Black uniformity can vary between individual units.

6.8
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
Picture Mode
Custom Color
Luminance
122 cd/mĀ²
Luminance Settings
75
Contrast Setting
75
RGB Controls
100-100-100
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Color Temperature
5,971 K
White Balance dE
3.63
Color dE
3.61
Gamma
2.16

The pre-calibration color accuracy is reasonable. Most colors are inaccurate and the color temperature is warmer than the target, so colors have a red/yellow tint. Gamma doesn't follow the curve well, so dark scenes appear darker than they should, and bright scenes are brighter. Pre-calibration can vary between individual units.

9.6
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
Picture Mode
Custom Color
Luminance
100 cd/mĀ²
Luminance Settings
35
Contrast Setting
70
RGB Controls
93-94-98
Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting
Color Temperature
6,486 K
White Balance dE
0.50
Color dE
0.55
Gamma
2.19

The Dell S3220DGF has outstanding accuracy after calibration. Most colors are accurate and any remaining inaccuracies aren't noticeable to the naked eye.

You can download our ICC profile calibration here. This is provided for reference only and shouldn't be used, as the calibration values vary per individual unit even for the same model due to manufacturing tolerances.

9.0
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB xy
98.1%
Adobe RGB xy
81.3%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color

The monitor has an exceptional SDR color gamut. It covers nearly all of the sRGB color space used in most content, and it has great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing.

9.4
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
99.0%
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
88.1%
sRGB Picture Mode
Custom Color
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Custom Color

The monitor has an incredible SDR color volume. The good contrast ratio helps it display dark, saturated colors.

7.2
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI P3 xy
79.4%
Rec. 2020 xy
64.0%
DCI P3 Picture Mode
HDR Standard
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
HDR Standard

The Dell S3220DGF has a decent HDR color gamut. It has very good coverage of the DCI P3 color space used in most content but has mediocre coverage of the wider Rec. 2020 color space.

5.9
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
67.8%
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
50.6%
DCI P3 Picture Mode
HDR Standard
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
HDR Standard

Disappointing HDR color volume. Limited by its color gamut, the Dell S3220DGF can't display a full range of colors at different brightness levels.

10
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR After 0 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 2 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 4 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 6 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 8 Min Recovery
0.00%
IR After 10 Min Recovery
0.00%

There are no signs of temporary image retention on the Dell S3220DGF, even immediately after displaying our high-contrast, static test image for 10 minutes. Image retention can vary between individual units.

9.8
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

This monitor has superb gradient handling. There are very faint signs of banding in darker shades, but this isn't noticeable in real content.

10
Picture Quality
Color Bleed
Pixel Row Error
0.003%
Pixel Column Error
0.002%

There are no signs of color bleed on this monitor.

7.2
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Matte
Total Reflections
6.0%
Indirect Reflections
3.5%
Calculated Direct Reflections
2.6%

The Dell has decent reflection handling. It performs exceptionally well in moderate-lit rooms, but reflections in really bright rooms are distracting.

7.0
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
VA
Sub-Pixel Layout
RGB

The text clarity is decent. It's improved using ClearType (top photo), which makes the diagonal or curved lines on the letters R, N, G, and S clearer.

Motion
7.9
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Best Overdrive Setting
Super Fast
Rise / Fall Time
7.0 ms
Total Response Time
14.8 ms
Overshoot Error
0.1%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
10.2 ms
Dark Total Response Time
21.2 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
0.0%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
Fast Chart Table Photo
Super Fast Chart Table Photo
Extreme Chart Table Photo

The monitor has a very good overall response time at its max refresh rate, but it's a bit disappointing for a 165Hz monitor. The recommended Overdrive setting, called Response Time, is 'Super Fast'. There's a minimal amount of overshoot, but the response time is slow, resulting in some motion blur. If you want the quickest response time, 'Extreme' is faster, but there's visible ghosting behind fast-moving objects. If you're looking for a better gaming monitor, the Dell S3222DGM is a better choice.

6.9
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Best Overdrive Setting
Fast
Rise / Fall Time
8.9 ms
Total Response Time
19.4 ms
Overshoot Error
2.3%
Dark Rise / Fall Time
8.3 ms
Dark Total Response Time
21.6 ms
Dark Overshoot Error
8.2%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
Fast Chart Table Photo
Super Fast Chart Table Photo
Extreme Chart Table Photo

The Dell S3220DGF has an adequate response time at 60Hz. Unlike when playing at its max refresh rate, the recommended Overdrive is 'Fast'. Motion is still blurry but there's a minimal amount of overshoot. If you're looking for a better 60Hz gaming monitor, the Dell S3222DGM is a much better choice.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free Yes
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

The Dell S3220DGF is flicker-free, which helps reduce eye strain.

0
Motion
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
No
BFI Maximum Frequency
N/A
BFI Minimum Frequency
N/A

This monitor doesn't have a black frame insertion feature.

9.2
Motion
Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
FreeSync
Native
165 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (Tested)
VRR Maximum
165 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors DisplayPort, HDMI

Update 12/09/2020:There are reports of screen flickering issues below 60Hz when using VRR through G-SYNC compatibility. Unfortunately, our unit is broken and we can't retest it. However, we didn't experience this issue during testing.

The default refresh rate of the Dell S3220DGF varies depending on the connection used. Over DisplayPort, it defaults to a maximum 165Hz refresh rate, and the only other option is to decrease it to 60Hz. When connected over HDMI, the monitor defaults to 144Hz and can't be overclocked to 165Hz. It also supports FreeSync VRR technology to reduce screen tearing, and although it's not officially certified, we were also able to use it with NVIDIA's G-SYNC Compatible mode, but this only works over DisplayPort.

Dell tends to keep their monitors on the market for a long time, but they make slight changes to the hardware to fix known issues. Some users have reported that the A04 revision doesn't have G-SYNC compatibility out of the box, causing black screen flickering. Users have also noted that it can be fixed by using the Custom Resolution Utility software to limit the VRR range to 49-164Hz, although we can't confirm it because our unit is defective. Using this workaround seems to break FreeSync2 HDR. If you want to enable HDR, you need to disable G-SYNC in the Custom Resolution Utility software and revert the VRR range back to 48-164Hz, and revert all the settings back to default in the CRU folder by using the Reset-ALL option.

Inputs
9.5
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution
4.0 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
9.1 ms
Variable Refresh Rate
4.4 ms
Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz
10.2 ms
10 Bit HDR
6.1 ms
Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
N/A

This monitor has an extremely low input lag and delivers a very responsive gaming experience.

8.3
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution 2560 x 1440
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Megapixels 3.7 MP
Pixel Density
92 PPI
Screen Diagonal 32.0"
Screen Area 438 inĀ²

This screen is large and provides an immersive gaming experience, but the pixel density may be too low for some people, especially for those using the monitor for work.

Inputs
Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
DisplayPort 1 (DP 1.4)
Mini DisplayPort No
HDMI 2 (HDMI 2.0)
DVI No
VGA No
DisplayPort Out No
USB 4 (USB 3.0)
USB C No
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 2
Microphone In 3.5mm No
Digital Optical Audio Out No
Analog Audio Out RCA No
Power Supply Internal

Update 12/07/2020: We previously indicated that there are only two USB ports, which is wrong. There's a second input panel on the side of the monitor with two USB ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Features
Features
Additional Features
RGB Illumination
No
Speakers
No
HDR10 Yes
Multiple Input Display
No

Update 10/30/2019: The original text incorrectly listed a crosshair feature - this has been updated, as it is instead a display alignment feature.

There are a few additional features apart from the support of HDR10. Through the monitor's menu, you can enable a grid on the screen to help align multiple displays or a 'frame per second' counter to test your graphics card. You can also display a timer on the screen, which can be handy.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)
Features
Controls

The controls are located on the right side of the underside and are easy to use.

Features
In The Box

  • User manual
  • Power cable
  • HDMI cable
  • DisplayPort
  • USB-A to USB-B cable