Dell S2722DGM Curved 165 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Value-Driven Performance

Dell’s S2722DGM is a 27-inch curved gaming monitor with 165 Hz, QHD resolution, a VA panel and Adaptive-Sync.

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Dell S2722DGM
(Image: © Dell)

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Dell S2722DGM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The S2722DGM claims a peak brightness of 350 nits, and that’s exactly what I measured. The top two monitors include HDR so seeing more light output from them is not a surprise. The Dell has more than enough brightness for any environment including a sunlit office.

The black level is nice and low, as a VA panel should be. That puts the S2722DGM’s contrast ratio in the middle of the three VA monitors here. 2,536.1:1 is about average among all the VA monitors I’ve tested. It’s more than enough to visually distinguish itself superior to the best IPS screens.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Dell S2722DGM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Calibration required balancing the contrast slider between color accuracy and maintaining the contrast ratio. I got the white point error under 3dE and only cost the S2722DGM a tiny bit of dynamic range. It’s still good enough to keep it in second place here, which is excellent performance.

ANSI contrast is a little lower than static, but the difference is about the same as the other screens when expressed as a percentage. In actual content, the S2722DGM looks better than an IPS panel with more vibrant color, deeper blacks and a more dimensional picture.

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.