Dell S2422HG 24-inch Curved 165 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Big Fun And Solid Performance On A Budget

Dell’s S2422HG is a 24-inch curved VA FHD gaming monitor with 165 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and extended color.

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Dell S2422HG
(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Dell S2422HG
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The S2422HG has plenty of light output to compete favorably with its peers. It’s rated for 350 nits which I couldn’t quite reach in the default Standard mode. But that consideration becomes secondary when looking at black levels. This is where VA shines and the Dell screens are well ahead of the others. Though the Monoprice is an exceptional IPS panel, it still has less than half the dynamic range of the top two displays. This translates into a visible improvement in image depth and color saturation.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Dell S2422HG
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration doesn’t change the results much, which is as it should be. The S2422HG’s 3,261.8:1 contrast ratio is better than most LCDs can boast. It’s well ahead of any IPS panels and it beats many VA monitors as well.

The ANSI, or intra-image contrast, is only slightly lower at 2,924.8:1. This is a great indication of the S2422HG’s build quality and component selection. Only a well-fitted grid polarizer can deliver such a high ANSI result. In a side-by-side comparison, the two Dells will easily outpace their IPS competition with more vivid color and deeper blacks.

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Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.