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Dell S3222DGM QHD 165 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Solid Color and Lots of Contrast

Dell’s S3222DGM is a 32-inch curved VA/QHD gaming monitor with 165 Hz, Adaptive-Sync, extended color and a surprisingly low price.

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Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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Dell S3222DGM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The S3222DGM and S2722DGM are alike in styling and specs, but the similarities pretty much end after the maximum brightness test. Both screens are mid-pack with an output of over 350 nits. This is plenty of light and far more than you’ll need indoors, especially from a 32-inch monitor.

The gap starts to open up in the black level test. The S3222DGM has a lower score than its stablemate and it’s lower than the other monitors too. 0.0837 nit is really dark. That puts the max contrast ratio over 4,200:1, which is one of the highest values in my database. It’s rare that a computer monitor can muster that kind of dynamic range.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Dell S3222DGM
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

After calibration, the S3222DGM stays in the lead for both black levels and contrast by comfortable margins. This is one contrasty monitor, and you can easily see the difference in content. You won’t miss HDR one bit. And its larger color gamut is on full display with vivid saturation and depth.

The ANSI result is a bit lower but still high enough to lead the pack and one of the highest-scoring monitors in this test. One might consider the 27-inch version for its greater pixel density, but I would choose the 32-inch based on its greater contrast.

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.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Cartrover
    One minor correction:

    A joystick handles most of the navigation duties along with four control keys. Two of them can be programmed by the user.

    Actually 3 of the buttons can be customized.

    You guys just missed the 300 USD discounted price at Dell.com, but it will probably see a discount again.
    Reply
  • coloradoblah
    I still havent seen any applications that really do HDR well, pretty much has been off the entire time Ive had my monitor. Except for maybe media content but that’s what my tv is for.
    Reply
  • shaolin95
    How does this one compare to the s3220dgf?
    Reply
  • petrv
    32" seems too big for FPS gaming. If I lower the resolution for games to Full HD, can the display show smaller image with black borders? That would make playing games comfortable and I could still use 32" for office work. Thanks!
    Reply