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Dell S2716DG 1440 144 Hz G-Sync Owners Thread

987K views 6K replies 682 participants last post by  NaturalBornSina 
#1 ·
Due for release tomorrow. Given all the QC issues with the Asus ROG Swift, this might just be a better choice.

27", 1440P (2560x1440)
TN Panel
G-Sync
DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4, four USB 3.0 ports, USB 3.0 upstream, Audio line-out & Headphone-out
144hz Refresh rate, 1 ms response time

Estimated retail is $799 USD

Given it's not part of the ultrasharp lineup it may not have the same support for dead or stuck pixels or screen issues but will be interesting to find out.

http://s1201.photobucket.com/user/RobilarOCN/media/dell_zpsdnryq6vw.jpg.html
 
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#3 ·
Hmmm.. Well, for those gaming freaks that need those insane refresh rates above quality, this is just another late to the party TN panel isn't it? What's going to be unique about this one? If it was IPS, 100hz, 29" and came without BLB, flicker, and firmware bugs for 799 I would buy it despite the DELL label.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokenPC View Post

Hmmm.. Well, for those gaming freaks that need those insane refresh rates above quality, this is just another late to the party TN panel isn't it? What's going to be unique about this one? If it was IPS, 100hz, 29" and came without BLB, flicker, and firmware bugs for 799 I would buy it despite the DELL label.
I'd say a 557 page thread on a monitor with similar specs here at OCN that has quite a few issues would be indicative of the level of interest there would be. Especially given Dell's reputation for quality control and customer service.

Unique? How about a monitor that works as advertised without needing to win a return lottery?

Guess there are more than a few of us "gaming freaks"
rolleyes.gif
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robilar View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrokenPC View Post

Hmmm.. Well, for those gaming freaks that need those insane refresh rates above quality, this is just another late to the party TN panel isn't it? What's going to be unique about this one? If it was IPS, 100hz, 29" and came without BLB, flicker, and firmware bugs for 799 I would buy it despite the DELL label.
I'd say a 557 page thread on a monitor with similar specs here at OCN that has quite a few issues would be indicative of the level of interest there would be. Especially given Dell's reputation for quality control and customer service.

Unique? How about a monitor that works as advertised without needing to win a return lottery?

Guess there are more than a few of us "gaming freaks"
rolleyes.gif
Maybe, but I just can't imagine paying $800 for a TN monitor.

Heck, I payed ~$350 for a 1440p IPS 110hz monitor years ago... Even if you double that price for QC/customer support + a nice stand and throw in another $100 for the GSync ASIC, 800 bucks should get you a VA or IPS panel.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robilar View Post

I'd say a 557 page thread on a monitor with similar specs here at OCN that has quite a few issues would be indicative of the level of interest there would be. Especially given Dell's reputation for quality control and customer service.

Unique? How about a monitor that works as advertised without needing to win a return lottery?

Guess there are more than a few of us "gaming freaks"
rolleyes.gif
Yeah, I get it but Dell has been making some crap lately.. When the hammer came down on the price fixing, the panel quality went to absolute crap. They made better monitors 10 years ago. Dell has a reputation for quality.. Ok, us old timers remember when it was the best of the 3rd tier mfgs. One step above Gateway. It's sad that this junk passes for quality. I tend not to get excited unless something great is coming. This should be great, poor viewing angles and colors aside but I doubt it will be. We should be excited about better tech. I doubt Dell has managed to source better panels or driver boards. Whatever contractor they get to assemble it won't do a better job. I can almost guarantee it. But we can hope I guess. And there sure are a lot of folks who want that fast refresh rate over a quality color high rez display. I am aware of that. Their just an oddity to me. Like people who prefer console gaming. No offence meant, we are all a bit freaky.
 
#7 ·
None taken ?

I have a lovely IPS monitor that i use for work purposes.
 
#8 ·
Looking forward to it, hopefully tftcentral gets one to review, it most likely uses the same panel as the asus pg278q and the benq xl2730z so that's nice, hopefully it won't have the same problems as the asus since you don't hear the benq having all those issues, as for the price the original swift didn't stay at $799 did it? and the dell won't either if anything it should be near the swift's price pretty soonish after all there's competition....there are options out there.

bit off topic but really the only significant "better tech" that needs to be here in the affordable/mainstream form is OLED, IPS isn't really that amazing to be excited about, while it's great and better than TN it's still meh compared to what is out there, hell I'd take a VA monitor over IPS because of the contrast ratio and OLED is the king when it comes to contrast ratio, colors etc.. that's where the future is at, also the Dell uses an 8bit TN panel, a very good one at that, if you calibrate it it will look almost as good as IPS, sure the viewing angles won't be that good if not viewing head on and colors won't pop out as much but they'd be still damn good for a TN and it won't be washed out like the usual old high refresh rate TN panels.

Check out CallsignVega's post comparing Acer X34 curved 100Hz IPS vs the asus rog swift pg278q here:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1554247/build-log-vegas-2015-chromed-copper-tube-gaming-system/70#post_24519554

I don't see anything wrong with getting the Dell S2716dg if the reviews are good, and buyers report that it doesn't have all the issues the PG278q has.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucethemoose View Post

Maybe, but I just can't imagine paying $800 for a TN monitor.
Yup. They always say "vote with your wallet" and that's what I'm doing. I'll never pay this much for an IPS monitor ever again either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTiC123 View Post

bit off topic but really the only significant "better tech" that needs to be here in the affordable/mainstream form is OLED, IPS isn't really that amazing to be excited about, while it's great and better than TN it's still meh compared to what is out there, hell I'd take a VA monitor over IPS because of the contrast ratio and OLED is the king when it comes to contrast ratio, colors etc.. that's where the future is at, also the Dell uses an 8bit TN panel, a very good one at that, if you calibrate it it will look almost as good as IPS, sure the viewing angles won't be that good if not viewing head on and colors won't pop out as much but they'd be still damn good for a TN and it won't be washed out like the usual old high refresh rate TN panels.
Yeah the "IPS master race" thing going on today is annoying. It's less common here on OCN since users here are generally a bit more knowledgeable than average or at least willing to pick up knowledge. I have no experience with the TN panel used in this Dell monitor, but based on comparisons from CallsignVega and s1rrah, IPS is barely any better. I think both IPS and TN are crap for entertainment purposes due to the similarly poor contrast and blacks. The exception being competitive gaming of course, where the responsiveness/extremely low lag of TN and high refresh rate AHVA monitors comes in handy. But at these prices, these 27" 1440p 144 Hz VRR monitors should be using really nice SPVA panels with at least 3000:1 static contrast, and perhaps with full-array LED backlighting. But we really need OLED to come in and wash away all this LCD crap.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by boredgunner View Post

Yup. They always say "vote with your wallet" and that's what I'm doing. I'll never pay this much for an IPS monitor ever again either.
Yeah the "IPS master race" thing going on today is annoying. It's less common here on OCN since users here are generally a bit more knowledgeable than average or at least willing to pick up knowledge. I have no experience with the TN panel used in this Dell monitor, but based on comparisons from CallsignVega and s1rrah, IPS is barely any better. I think both IPS and TN are crap for entertainment purposes due to the similarly poor contrast and blacks. The exception being competitive gaming of course, where the responsiveness/extremely low lag of TN and high refresh rate AHVA monitors comes in handy. But at these prices, these 27" 1440p 144 Hz VRR monitors should be using really nice SPVA panels with at least 3000:1 static contrast, and perhaps with full-array LED backlighting. But we really need OLED to come in and wash away all this LCD crap.
I think Did you mean AMVA? AHVA is an IPS type panel with the same contrast pixel response and glow limitations.

IPS was great with the TW polarizers they used to have. It reduces or removed almost all glow from the screen. Contrast was still no great, but it was more than acceptable.

VA panels still need to get faster to compete on a larger scale(and this is still the panel type I am hoping will show the most improvement and become more standard). Faster panels without requiring overdrive would be that much better. Even the fastest TN panels have to use overdrive to get this speed and that creates artifacts.
 
#12 ·
BTW not being released today. Spoke to Dell they have no confirmed ETA for it.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nukemaster View Post

I think Did you mean AMVA? AHVA is an IPS type panel with the same contrast pixel response and glow limitations.

IPS was great with the TW polarizers they used to have. It reduces or removed almost all glow from the screen. Contrast was still no great, but it was more than acceptable.

VA panels still need to get faster to compete on a larger scale(and this is still the panel type I am hoping will show the most improvement and become more standard). Faster panels without requiring overdrive would be that much better. Even the fastest TN panels have to use overdrive to get this speed and that creates artifacts.
No I meant AHVA (PG279Q, MG279Q, XB270HU specifically) since these monitors are great for competitive fast/twitch gaming. Although as far as AMVA goes, I look forward to TFTCentral's review of the BenQ XR3501.

I'd much rather have OLED improve and wipe LCD off the face of the planet entirely. LCD is inherently limited and flawed in comparison.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by boredgunner View Post

No I meant AHVA (PG279Q, MG279Q, XB270HU specifically) since these monitors are great for competitive fast/twitch gaming. Although as far as AMVA goes, I look forward to TFTCentral's review of the BenQ XR3501.

I'd much rather have OLED improve and wipe LCD off the face of the planet entirely. LCD is inherently limited and flawed in comparison.
At least you still have backlight strobe in the mean time. It greatly improves motion on LCD panels that support it.

OLED or similar will be great for sure(love the viewing angles on those things and the black levels that are actually black).
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by boredgunner View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nukemaster View Post

I think Did you mean AMVA? AHVA is an IPS type panel with the same contrast pixel response and glow limitations.

IPS was great with the TW polarizers they used to have. It reduces or removed almost all glow from the screen. Contrast was still no great, but it was more than acceptable.

VA panels still need to get faster to compete on a larger scale(and this is still the panel type I am hoping will show the most improvement and become more standard). Faster panels without requiring overdrive would be that much better. Even the fastest TN panels have to use overdrive to get this speed and that creates artifacts.
No I meant AHVA (PG279Q, MG279Q, XB270HU specifically) since these monitors are great for competitive fast/twitch gaming. Although as far as AMVA goes, I look forward to TFTCentral's review of the BenQ XR3501.

I'd much rather have OLED improve and wipe LCD off the face of the planet entirely. LCD is inherently limited and flawed in comparison.
Unfortunately, true picture quality isn't everything for manufacturers. Heck, LCDs wiped out plasmas and other promising technologies like Canon's SED, and Sony's FED and Direct LED displays just because the LCD industry is so well established.

I hope OLEDs come soon, but I have a feeling we'll be stuck with LCDs for awhile.
 
#16 ·
Been lurking here at Overclock for awhile, mostly in the PG279Q thread, but I ultimately decided to go with the TN Dell panel since I mostly play FPS titles and already have a second ultrawide IPS monitor for real work.

It's interesting that Dell CS said it wasn't available yet, since I just received my S2716DG via FedEx this morning (in the US)! Ordered it last Friday via this page: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=210-AGJR , and it delivered today.

I am hoping that this will be a higher-quality PG278Q without all the scary QC issues. 3-year advanced exchange warranty is also a nice addition, along with the HDMI port.

I'll post some pictures once I'm back home, and hopefully positive impressions. This is my first high-refresh rate monitor, too, so if there's something you guys would like me to try testing out, just let me know.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by abcsoup View Post

Been lurking here at Overclock for awhile, mostly in the PG279Q thread, but I ultimately decided to go with the TN Dell panel since I mostly play FPS titles and already have a second ultrawide IPS monitor for real work.

It's interesting that Dell CS said it wasn't available yet, since I just received my S2716DG via FedEx this morning (in the US)! Ordered it last Friday via this page: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=210-AGJR , and it delivered today.

I am hoping that this will be a higher-quality PG278Q without all the scary QC issues. 3-year advanced exchange warranty is also a nice addition, along with the HDMI port.

I'll post some pictures once I'm back home, and hopefully positive impressions. This is my first high-refresh rate monitor, too, so if there's something you guys would like me to try testing out, just let me know.
That is good news. Mind you I called Dell Canada. They may be somewhat behind on it. I noticed on the link you provided the ship date is listed as November 10th. They might want to update that.
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robilar View Post

That is good news. Mind you I called Dell Canada. They may be somewhat behind on it. I noticed on the link you provided the ship date is listed as November 10th. They might want to update that.
Ah that's true, Dell Canada and US could be different. I also noticed today that it's now available for preorder in the US through Newegg, with an estimated release of 10/27. Could be a better option for many if they qualify for no tax in their state.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedM00N View Post

I Wouldave added this to my compare list for what I'll upgrade too next month, but the lack of ULMB has me passing, unless they just arent announcing it.
I'm sure it will be a good monitor, and I may end up hating ulmb, but I at least wanna have it to try it out ya know
frown.gif
Funny you mention that; I've been reading through the manual before heading home, and it does have ULMB support for 85, 100, and 120 Hz. This is with G-SYNC disabled, according to the manual.

http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_Display/dell-s2716dg-monitor_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by abcsoup View Post

Funny you mention that; I've been reading through the manual before heading home, and it does have ULMB support for 85, 100, and 120 Hz. This is with G-SYNC disabled, according to the manual.

http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_display_projector/esuprt_Display/dell-s2716dg-monitor_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf
+rep for that. Dunno why I didn't bother to look in the manual.
Wonder why they don't say it supports ULMB on the product page or in the announcements.
 
#23 ·
So, I finally got a chance to unpack and try out the monitor, and things are looking promising so far. The box arrived in great shape, and I like the understated, professional look of the monitor a lot. You wouldn't be able to tell that it's a gaming monitor, except for the (removable) NVIDIA G-Sync sticker on the monitor stand's base.




Also, most importantly, there are no dead or stuck pixels on my screen. Panel uniformity seems decent for a TN, but there is the obvious TN gradient where the top and bottom have differing brightness. This is not really noticeable in-game, however. I've attached some images of the panel for gray/red/blue/green/black backgrounds so you can judge yourselves.







The AG coating is on the aggressive side, and I would say it's on-par with my LG 34UM95. On solid whties, you get a little of the AG sparkle. Here's a panel reflection shot to get an idea of the AG strength.



As far as using the monitor, G-Sync works great in 144 Hz. There was no problem connecting it and getting it up and running with my 980 Ti. I also tried out ULMB in 120 Hz (G-Sync disabled), and it also works fine, although it of course dims the screen significantly. It allows you to vary the pulse width of the ULMB mode as well, but I kept it at the default setting of 100.



There does seem to be a slight difference between 144 Hz G-Sync and 120 Hz ULMB modes, which is most visible to me when I move the Windows cursor against a dark background. In-game (CSGO), I can't really tell if there's much benefit, but I honestly haven't used either mode long enough to say for sure. Any difference in smoothness between 120 and 144 Hz isn't immediately noticeable to me.

The HDMI port also works perfectly, so anyone holding out on the PG278Q for an HDMI port will be happy. It recognizes my PS4 without any issues.



Overall, the monitor seems to be working really well thus far, and hopefully it's a sign that the QC problems with the PG278Q are not going to resurface with Dell.

The only issue I've encountered is not even with the monitor, but the 980 Ti, which seems to run at high clock speeds when the refresh rate is set to 144 Hz, even on the Windows desktop. When I reduce the refresh rate to 120 Hz, it goes back down to normal, idle clocks. For now, I've just left it at 120 Hz to avoid chewing up energy in desktop mode and boost it to 144 Hz before I'm about to game. If anyone has a solution to this, I'd love to hear it!
 
#24 ·
Thanks for the review. Looks very promising. Looks like Dell has released a solid competitor to the swift.
 
#25 ·
Hmm... based on your pictures I think I'm glad I went with IPS instead, to avoid that gradient. Sucks that if you want 2560 x 1440 with variable refresh rate, you have to choose between TN gradient and IPS glow.
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by boredgunner View Post

Hmm... based on your pictures I think I'm glad I went with IPS instead, to avoid that gradient. Sucks that if you want 2560 x 1440 with variable refresh rate, you have to choose between TN gradient and IPS glow.
Yeah, I can't go back to using TN for general desktop work after using VA and IPS for so many years. When gaming, I'm lucky that I'm not sensitive to the gradient at all, so this monitor pairs very nicely for me with an IPS for desktop work. I would say that if you can only have one monitor for everything, TN is a tough choice to live with, and it could be worth trying the IPS lottery with ASUS and Acer given the equivalent pricing.

Edit: Actually, something interesting is the pricing for the Dell in the UK is only 600 GBP, which is the same as the TN PG278Q there. That seems more reasonable compared to the US pricing of $800 for the Dell and $670 for the PG278Q.
 
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