The Dell UltraSharp U2724D positions itself between the brand’s most prominent products for gaming and business use. It’s from the UltraSharp line, which usually gets professional use, but it also has a 120Hz 1440p display that would be nice for games. It’s more expensive than the typical 1440p gaming monitors, but let’s take a closer look to see if the extra premium has some merits.
Dell UltraSharp U2724D Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 WQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS Black)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 2000:1
- Brightness: 350 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 1, DP 1.4 Out x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB-C DP Alt Mode x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, USB-C Downstream x 1, 5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.10″ x 21.09″ x 7.57″
- Weight: 14.46 lbs
Design and Features
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D resembles the brand’s business line more than its Alienware offerings. The monitor has a matte black and silver combination, which looks elegant and clean compared to older models. The display is bezel-free for that edge to edge look, although it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s not the largest UltraSharp monitor we’ve reviewed, and the brand even managed to decrease its overall dimensions. The monitor only needs 7.57 inches of depth, and it’s very light at 14.46 pounds. We know that Dell is keen on lessening its impact on the environment, so reducing its material consumption and future waste is always a key aspect of its designs.
It has become slimmer and sleeker, but that did not worsen its overall build quality. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is stable and firm, so it won’t sag or shake while you are in the middle of something important.
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its menus and features. It’s located on the right side of the monitor, so you can easily reach in and use it to your advantage. It also works with Dell’s Display Manager app, giving you more flexibility and convenience.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It is easy to get a good angle that will work with your physiology for hours, making the product more suitable for long hours of work or play. Using VESA mounts is possible, but it is only necessary for select instances.
One of the main selling points of the Dell UltraSharp U2724D is its diverse connectivity layout. It has DisplayPort 1.4, DP Out, HDMI 2.1, and a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode. It also has a trio of USB 3.2 ports, a USB-C Downstream slot, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
It’s interesting to note that this monitor’s USB-C slot doesn’t have power delivery like the other IPS Black variants. It also doesn’t have speakers, so you will need headsets or a desktop set for audio. We’re fine with the added cost, especially since this monitor is discounted now.
Display and Performance
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D sports a 27-inch IPS Black panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 2000:1. it is not capable of sophisticated HDR imagery, but its extended contrast ratio will certainly make images better.
This monitor was designed to be the sweet spot, so it would make sense for it to use 1440p as its resolution. It’s great for gaming and productivity because of the extra space and pixel count, but it’s not going to be as demanding as a 4K screen. 120Hz is now doable for midrange cards, so you won’t spend too much on building a PC around it.
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D covers more than 100% of sRGB and 95% of DCI-P3 for fantastic vibrancy in projects or games. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.61, so it’s decently accurate out of the box. Most users won’t have to do anything to it, so it’s ready for you once it’s out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.77, pitting it next to the other IPS Black models Dell has produced. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results, and those are not cheap at all. We can only recommend it for users who are into making money with color-critical work.
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D’s brightness reached 331 cd/m2 at 100%, so it slightly misses the company’s claims. However, it is capable of VA levels of contrast, reaching as much as 1955:1, making it better at producing deep black luminance. It’s great for night scenes, and it doesn’t come with the weaknesses associated with VA monitors.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor issues due to some backlight leaks on the top and side edges. They showed up in dark scenes since it resulted in clouding and light blooms. However, this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D isn’t the fastest when it comes to pixel response time, but it can hold its own. Maxing out its overdrive helped, but it did add a little overshoot in contrasting transitions. We recommend using it sparingly while optimizing your framerates to stay above a hundred.
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, even if it’s not listed as such. VRR is important for the gaming aspect, but 1440p 120Hz isn’t that demanding nowadays. Its input lag sits at 5ms at 120Hz, so it is free from delays and great for gaming on the side.
Thoughts on the Dell UltraSharp U2724D
The Dell UltraSharp U2724D is in the right direction when it comes to being the sweet spot that will maximize your money. It is great for both gaming and business use, so you won’t have to buy separate monitors or setups for work and play. It’s designed and built quite well, just like the U2723QE or anything similar.
However, there are a few limitations that Dell could have improved, like the USB-C slot not having power delivery. It is not as heavily equipped as the other IPS Black monitors, but that can be expected because of the lower price. Overall, it’s a fantastic display, and it solves the long-standing dilemma of shopping for a business monitor or a gaming display.
Pros:
- Fantastic Colors and Contrast
- Great for Gaming and Productivity
- USB-C and HDMI 2.1
Cons:
- No USB-C PD
- No Speakers
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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