The Dell G2724D is an affordable option, but it offers a lot for the price if you consider that it’s from a well-established brand. There are several newcomers with the same or lower pricing now, but most of them have the reputation and experience Dell has in the monitor market. Let’s take a closer look to know if this is a winner for gamers who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for a quality display.
Dell G2724D Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.1x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 24.1″ x 20.6″ x 7.9″
- Weight: 13.12 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell G2724D has a simpler design, so it looks more like its business brethren rather than the Alienware-branded models. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it doesn’t look loud or gaudy in both gaming and productivity setups. The screen has thinner bezels, although it still has inner borders like most modern options.
Dell is big on its environmental footprint, so it is actively trying to reduce waste by shaving off unnecessary mass on its products. This means less material usage and smaller dimensions, like this model’s 7.9-inch overall depth. It also made the monitor lighter at 13.12 pounds, so it’s more portable than its predecessors.
However, that weight and size loss doesn’t mean that this model’s build quality suffered. It’s still durable and nice to the touch, thanks to premium plastic panels that are free from cosmetic defects. Its stand is firm and stable, but it can still slightly wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The Dell G2724D has an OSD joystick with hotkeys for easy access to its features and settings. The layout is at the back, but it is very close to the edge of the chassis, so you don’t have to lean in a lot. The monitor is also compatible with Dell Display Manager, so you can adjust a few things directly from Windows.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It is easy to get a good angle that will keep you free from neck strain during long hours of use. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s only necessary in select instances.
Its connectivity layout has been downgraded compared to the previous version since it doesn’t have any extras like USB ports or even a 3.5mm jack. However, it includes an HDMI 2.1 slot alongside the two DisplayPort 1.4 slots, enabling it to function with the Xbox Series X’s 120Hz mode at 1440p. This is fine in most cases, especially for PC and console gamers who want a value-oriented display.
The Dell G2724D also doesn’t have integrated speakers, but that’s okay since it is a budget model. Gaming-grade monitors always deserve headsets since they are better for immersion and focus. It is nice to have built-ins, but we’d rather have a lower price instead.
Display and Performance
The Dell G2724D sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model is certified for HDR 400 performance, but we all know how limited that is in creating HDR effects.
27-inch 1440p used to be the high-end for fast-paced gaming, but we now have high-refresh 4K screens that are emerging all the time. However, that also made 1440p variants cheaper and more accessible, just like this model. It is not too sharp, and it is great for productivity, but it also is a substantial upgrade for eye candy versus 1080p models.
The Dell G2724D covers 100W% sRGB and 87% DCI-P3 for decent colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.97, so it’s sufficiently accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to tweak it further, although brightness adjustments to suit individual environments might be in order.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.98, making it usable for editing work and content creation. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results since variances in each panel will reduce the effectiveness of copied settings or ICC profiles. We can only recommend the purchase if you are into color-critical work, but buying a prosumer monitor might be a better solution in the long run.
The Dell G2724D’s backlight reached 389 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 441 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. That will give you plenty of room for adjustment, but it is just not enough for true HDR performance. The screen’s contrast peaked at 1132:1 at 40% brightness, so it is still not capable of true black levels like VA or OLED displays.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues, although there were some very minor light leaks at the top edge. They show up when a black screen is on display but are most of the time unnoticeable. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The Dell G2724D is using a Fast IPS panel, so it can provide great motion handling compared to similarly-priced VA alternatives. You only need to set its overdrive to its Fast level to clean up the already minor trails and persistence that can appear from time to time. We don’t recommend the maximum level since it will add a noticeable overshoot, which is a more perceivable flaw.
The Dell G2724D is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so there is no need to worry about tearing and stuttering. This is essential for longevity since you won’t have to buy a new monitor if you decide to switch your GPU brand. Input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it is fast and responsive enough for any gaming purpose.
Thoughts on the Dell G2724D
The Dell G2724D is an excellent choice for thrifty gamers who want to upgrade their visual experience. You get a 1440p Fast IPS monitor that’s suitable for both PC and console gaming, along with a respectable design and level of reliability. It lacks a few features, but the essentials, plus HDMI 2.1 connectivity, are there to make up for it.
However, something like the MSI G274QPX for a few bucks more might displace the G2724D. It’s more expensive by around seventy bucks if both are for sale at MSRP, but it’s a 240Hz model However, the Dell option is almost always discounted, so it is usually a better deal for most gamers.
Pros:
- Affordable 1440p Monitor
- Fast and Responsive
- HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
- Reliable and Functional Design
Cons:
- No Additional Connectors
- Limited HDR Performance
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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