Dell S3222HN Review

The best gaming monitors can cost a fortune, but they come with top-tier features meant to make your gaming experience immersive. But with the Dell S3222HN, you’re getting a 32-inch curved monitor that can be used for both gaming and productivity. Most gaming monitors this size – like the Acer Predator X32 – often cost upwards of $500 and can play games in 1440p and beyond.

For much less than most competitors, Dell offers the S3222HN with a FHD resolution, an 1800R curve, 75Hz, AMD FreeSync, and extended color. It doesn’t have HDR or a list of other extra features, but you get everything you need for gaming on a budget PC or console. How does this monitor stack up against other budget gaming monitors? Let’s see!

About the Dell S3222HN

• Display size: 32-inch
• Native resolution: 1920×1080
• Panel type: VA
• Refresh rate: 75Hz
• Adaptive Sync: AMD FreeSync
• VESA mount: Yes, 100mm x 100mm

Design & Features

The Dell S3222HN’s design is typical of Dell’s modern styling. It boasts an 1800R curvature that enhances immersion by making the edges of the monitor feel closer to the user, creating a more natural viewing angle. This is the same curvature you find on the 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G93SC OLED gaming monitor, but it is not as aggressive as the 1200R or 1500R curvature on some monitors.

The monitor’s matte black finish and minimalist bezel design make it suitable for both office and home setups. The bezels are ultra-thin, ensuring a near-bezel-less experience when using multiple monitors side-by-side. The monitor’s stand is simple yet sturdy, providing reasonable height adjustment, tilt, and swivel. However, it cannot rotate (pivot), so users who need to switch frequently between portrait and landscape modes might find this limiting.

The overall build quality is quite solid, and the materials feel premium for the price. The monitor does not creak or feel flimsy, making it a reliable addition to any desk setup.

Connectivity

Connectivity options on the Dell S3222HN are quite straightforward. The monitor comes with an HDMI 1.4 port and a VGA port, allowing you to connect it to various devices such as PCs, laptops, gaming consoles, and other media devices. However, the lack of DisplayPort input may be a downside for some users, especially those with high-end gaming setups or workstations that utilize DisplayPort for higher resolutions and refresh rates.

There is no USB hub built into the monitor, which might be disappointing for users who prefer to plug in peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, or USB storage device directly into their monitor.

Gaming Performance

With a 75Hz refresh rate, the Dell S3222HN provides a smooth experience for most users, especially for office work, web browsing, and casual gaming. The refresh rate is higher than the standard 60Hz found in most budget monitors, which results in smoother animations and scrolling. However, for more competitive gaming or high-refresh-rate titles, you may want to look for a monitor with a 144Hz or higher refresh rate.

The monitor also offers a 4ms response time, which is relatively fast for a VA panel. This makes it capable of handling fast-paced content like action movies or gaming without noticeable motion blur or ghosting. However, it is not on the same level as high-end gaming monitors that feature even faster response times and higher refresh rates.

The Dell S3222HN covers a modest 85% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, which is good for general media consumption, but not ideal for professional photo or video editing, where a wider color gamut would be required. For casual use, movies, and even gaming, the color reproduction is vibrant enough, but professionals should be cautious about relying on it for color-sensitive tasks.

Dell S3222HN Review: Verdict

The Dell S3222HN is a great option for users seeking a large, curved display for general computing, media consumption, and casual gaming. Its 32-inch size with a 2560×1440 resolution offers a good balance of sharpness and screen real estate, while the VA panel delivers deep blacks and high contrast. The inclusion of FreeSync is a bonus for gamers who want a smoother experience, though those looking for a high refresh rate or more advanced features may want to look elsewhere.

Its minimalist design, combined with good build quality, makes it a versatile monitor that fits seamlessly into various setups. However, its limited ergonomic features and average color reproduction may make it less suitable for professional designers or users who demand the utmost flexibility and color accuracy.

Overall, for the price, the Dell S3222HN offers great value and is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable and immersive large display for everyday tasks, gaming, and entertainment.