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Ultra-wide monitors win over gamers, especially those playing first-person shooters, flight simulators and any game that includes a large virtual world. But these monitors are less practical when editing documents or graphics. For those tasks, you want plenty of vertical space. The solution there is a 32-inch ultrawide. There are plenty of flat examples, (like the BenQ PD3200U I’m using to write this review). That screen is wholly unsuited for gaming though with its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of FreeSync or G-Sync.
Dell has answered the call for a jumbo versatile display with the S3220DGF. By adding an 1800R curvature to a 16:9 32-inch panel, it draws the user into the gaming environment without compromising the Windows desktop or the ability to easily view documents and photos. A 165 Hz refresh rate along with FreeSync 2 HDR and unofficial G-Sync Compatibility means gamers can have a smooth and responsive play experience while enjoying the enhanced dynamic range and extended color provided by a DCI-P3 color gamut.
That Dell has packed all this goodness into a $400 (at the time of writing) display is the icing on the cake. Some may wish for a 4K gaming monitor, but we never missed the extra pixels. When in-game frame rates are hovering around 140 fps, you’ll see plenty of detail and realism in even the most demanding titles. We spent hours exploring the lush worlds of Tomb Raider and relived history in HDR with Call of Duty: WWII. With quick panel response and low input lag, the S3220DGF is perfectly suited for gamers of all skill levels.
At this price, it isn’t possible to buy a FALD backlight display, but Dell’s high-contrast VA panel is the next-best thing. We measured over 3,300:1 in SDR and over 18,000:1 in HDR, making the S3220DGF one of the highest-contrast displays we’ve ever reviewed. Coupled with excellent gaming performance and great value, it’s a top choice for users interested in a large desktop monitor that can do it all.
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