Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch Review

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch (model S2421HGF) stands as a formidable choice for gamers seeking a high-performance yet affordable display. With a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium technology, this monitor delivers fluid, responsive gaming experiences, especially for competitive titles.

The Full HD 1920×1080 resolution ensures sharp visuals, while its sleek design with a 3-sided narrow bezel offers immersive viewing. As one of the Best Gaming Monitors Under 200, it is backed by Dell’s 3-year Advanced Exchange Service and a range of ergonomic features like height adjustment, tilt, and swivel, promising both performance and comfort for extended gaming sessions.

Key Features

• 144Hz Refresh Rate

  Offers smoother visuals, reducing motion blur and enhancing gameplay fluidity.

• 1ms Response Time

  Eliminates ghosting, ensuring crisp and clear fast-moving images.

• AMD FreeSync Premium

  Synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with compatible GPUs to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering.

• FHD 1080p Resolution

  Full HD resolution at 1920×1080, ideal for detailed visuals without taxing your system.

• Ergonomic Design

  Height-adjustable stand with swivel and tilt capabilities for optimal viewing comfort.

• Three-Sided Narrow Bezel

  Offers an expansive, uninterrupted view, enhancing immersion.

• VESA Mount Compatible

  Easily mountable on walls or custom setups.

Specifications

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High refresh rate for smooth gaming
• FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing
• 1ms response time reduces motion blur
• Ergonomic, adjustable stand
• Affordable price point for its features

Cons:

• TN panel offers narrower viewing angles
• No HDR support
• Limited port selection

Detailed Review

1. Design and Build Quality

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is designed with gamers in mind, offering a sleek, minimalistic look that blends well into any gaming setup. The three-sided narrow bezel provides an immersive viewing experience by maximizing the screen space and minimizing distractions. This design choice also makes the monitor ideal for multi-display setups, allowing you to connect several monitors without any visible gaps.

The monitor is constructed from sturdy plastic, which feels durable yet lightweight. The vents on the back are not just for aesthetics; they efficiently dissipate heat, ensuring that the monitor runs cool even during extended gaming sessions. At the bottom, the height-adjustable stand offers 100mm of vertical travel, along with tilt and swivel adjustments, making it easy to find a comfortable viewing angle whether you’re sitting or standing. The stand is well-built and stable, preventing any unwanted wobbling during intense gaming moments.

The VESA mount compatibility makes it easy to wall-mount the monitor or attach it to a custom stand, which is a great feature for gamers who like to save desk space or create custom setups.

2. Display Performance

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch shines where it matters most: performance. The 144Hz refresh rate is ideal for fast-paced games like first-person shooters (FPS) and racing games, providing smooth and fluid motion that can be a game-changer in competitive gaming. Combined with the 1ms response time, the monitor excels at reducing motion blur and ghosting, ensuring that you don’t miss any critical movements on the battlefield.

The Full HD 1080p resolution delivers crisp and clear visuals, offering a good balance between graphical quality and performance. While it might not be as sharp as 1440p or 4K displays, 1080p remains the sweet spot for competitive gamers, as it puts less strain on the GPU, allowing for higher frame rates.

Although the Twisted Nematic (TN) panel doesn’t provide the best color accuracy or viewing angles compared to In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels, it makes up for it in speed and responsiveness. The TN panel ensures minimal input lag, making the monitor a solid choice for eSports enthusiasts.

3. AMD FreeSync Premium

One of the standout features of the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is its support for AMD FreeSync Premium technology. FreeSync synchronizes the monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate of your GPU, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering, which can often ruin the gaming experience. This is especially noticeable in games with fluctuating frame rates, where FreeSync works to maintain a smooth and consistent experience.

The FreeSync Premium certification ensures low latency, a must-have for fast-paced games where split-second reactions are key. For those using an AMD graphics card, this feature offers a huge advantage in both visual performance and overall gameplay smoothness. Even for non-AMD users, the monitor still performs exceptionally well, though you won’t benefit from FreeSync’s tear-free gaming.

4. Connectivity

The monitor comes with two HDMI 1.4 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2 input, offering flexibility in connecting gaming consoles, PCs, and other multimedia devices. While the selection of ports is sufficient for most gamers, it’s worth noting that the HDMI 1.4 standard limits the refresh rate at 1080p to 120Hz, meaning that to get the full 144Hz refresh rate, you’ll need to use the DisplayPort connection.

However, the lack of USB ports is somewhat disappointing, especially for gamers who rely on additional peripherals or want to charge devices directly from their monitor. Additionally, there are no built-in speakers, but this is a minor concern as most gamers tend to use dedicated gaming headsets or external speaker systems for better audio quality.

5. Ergonomics and Adjustability

Comfort is key during long gaming sessions, and Dell ensures that with a variety of ergonomic options. The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch comes with a fully adjustable stand that offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments. Whether you’re sitting close to the screen or want a higher view from a distance, you can customize the monitor’s position to your liking.

The monitor’s tilt range allows you to angle it backward or forward, while the height adjustment ensures you can align it with your eye level. This range of adjustability promotes good posture and reduces neck strain, making it comfortable for prolonged gaming.

6. Gaming Performance

For competitive gamers, the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch excels in providing a seamless gaming experience. Titles like “Valorant,” “Call of Duty: Warzone,” and “Fortnite” run exceptionally well, benefiting from the high refresh rate and low response time. These features help to make fast-paced movements feel responsive, giving gamers a tangible competitive edge.

While the TN panel may slightly compromise color vibrancy and contrast, it’s a worthwhile trade-off for those prioritizing speed and performance. The monitor’s 1ms response time ensures that no matter how chaotic the action gets, you’ll never lose track of what’s happening on-screen.

Conclusion

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a high-refresh-rate, low-latency display without breaking the bank. With its 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium technology, this monitor ensures smooth, tear-free gameplay that can significantly enhance your competitive edge. Its ergonomic design, with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, provides comfort for long gaming sessions, while the three-sided narrow bezel offers immersive viewing.

However, the TN panel, while great for performance, has its limitations in color accuracy and viewing angles, which may not suit those who prioritize visual fidelity over speed. Additionally, the lack of HDR and limited port selection are minor drawbacks for gamers who expect these modern features in their displays.

Overall, the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch offers fantastic value for money. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an eSports enthusiast, this monitor delivers where it counts—smooth performance, fast response times, and ergonomic comfort—all at an affordable price point. Backed by Dell’s trusted 3-year warranty, this monitor is a solid investment for any gaming setup.

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Comparison with Similar Products

When evaluating the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch, it’s helpful to compare it with other similar gaming monitors to understand its relative strengths and weaknesses. Here, we compare it with the Acer XFA240, ASUS VG245H, and MSI Optix MAG272CQR—all popular choices in the gaming monitor category.

Comparison Table

Detailed Comparison

Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch vs. Acer XFA240

Both the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch and Acer XFA240 are solid choices for gamers seeking a 24-inch monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. They both feature TN panels, which excel in speed but have limitations in color accuracy and viewing angles. The key difference lies in design and additional features. The Dell monitor includes AMD FreeSync Premium for smoother gameplay, while the Acer XFA240 also supports FreeSync but may lack some of the ergonomic adjustments found in the Dell model. Both monitors offer comparable brightness levels and port selections, making them similar in performance but different in design and user experience.

Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch vs. ASUS VG245H

The ASUS VG245H is a good competitor in the budget category, offering 75Hz refresh rate compared to the 144Hz of the Dell monitor. While the ASUS VG245H includes height and tilt adjustments, it does not have swivel capabilities, which might limit its ergonomic flexibility. However, it is also equipped with AMD FreeSync, ensuring a tear-free experience. Its lower refresh rate and response time are notable drawbacks compared to the Dell monitor, making the ASUS more suitable for casual gamers rather than competitive players.

Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch vs. MSI Optix MAG272CQR

The MSI Optix MAG272CQR stands out with its 27-inch screen and QHD 2560×1440 resolution, offering a higher resolution and larger screen size compared to the Dell monitor’s 24 inches and 1080p resolution. Additionally, the MSI monitor features a 165Hz refresh rate and a VA panel, which provides better contrast and color depth than the TN panel on the Dell monitor. However, it is generally priced higher than the Dell monitor. The MSI Optix MAG272CQR also supports AMD FreeSync, ensuring smooth gaming performance but at a higher price point and larger footprint.

In summary, the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch offers a great balance of performance and value, especially for those who prioritize a high refresh rate and quick response times. It holds its ground well against competitors but may fall short for users seeking higher resolutions or advanced color accuracy. For those on a tighter budget, the ASUS VG245H might be a more cost-effective choice, while gamers looking for an upgrade in resolution and size may prefer the MSI Optix MAG272CQR.

FAQs

Does the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch support NVIDIA G-Sync?

While the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is officially designed to support AMD FreeSync Premium technology, it is also compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync. This is great news for users who prefer or already own an NVIDIA GPU but still want to benefit from tear-free, stutter-free gaming. G-Sync works similarly to FreeSync, synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate output from the GPU, reducing visual artifacts like screen tearing and input lag.

However, it’s important to note that G-Sync compatibility is only achievable when the monitor is connected via DisplayPort. HDMI connections, while still providing excellent performance, may not enable G-Sync on NVIDIA GPUs. Although it is not officially G-Sync certified, users have reported smooth gaming experiences with G-Sync enabled, making it a versatile option for both AMD and NVIDIA gamers.

Can I use the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch for non-gaming purposes like content creation?

Yes, the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is perfectly suitable for general usage beyond gaming, including activities like web browsing, watching videos, and working on documents. Its Full HD 1080p resolution delivers clear and crisp visuals, making it a solid all-round monitor. However, for professionals involved in content creation such as photo editing, graphic design, or video production, it may not be the most ideal choice. This is primarily due to the TN panel, which has narrower viewing angles and offers less accurate color reproduction compared to IPS panels.

While the monitor’s color support is adequate for everyday use, the lack of precise color calibration may be a limiting factor for those who rely on high color accuracy. The monitor’s primary focus is on performance, with a high refresh rate and fast response times, making it more suitable for gaming and multimedia rather than color-critical tasks. That said, if you are a gamer who occasionally dabbles in content creation or casual design work, this monitor will perform reasonably well.

Is the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch compatible with gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X?

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch is indeed compatible with the latest gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Both consoles support 120Hz refresh rates at 1080p, meaning that you will be able to take advantage of the monitor’s high refresh rate for smoother gaming experiences. However, to fully utilize the 144Hz refresh rate, you would need to connect the monitor to a gaming PC or laptop capable of outputting those frame rates. Console gaming typically maxes out at 120Hz for 1080p resolution, but this is still an excellent match for competitive and fast-paced games.

Moreover, the AMD FreeSync Premium feature can enhance your console gaming experience by reducing screen tearing, though this will be more relevant for Xbox users, as PlayStation currently does not support FreeSync. Nonetheless, this monitor is a great choice for console gamers who want to elevate their gaming experience with reduced lag and better motion handling, particularly in multiplayer and fast-paced games.

Does the monitor come with any built-in speakers?

No, the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch does not come equipped with built-in speakers. While many monitors at this price point include basic integrated speakers, Dell has chosen to focus on the display performance and gaming-specific features rather than audio. This decision makes sense given that most gamers tend to use high-quality headsets or external speaker systems for a more immersive sound experience. Built-in speakers in monitors are often underwhelming, providing minimal sound quality, so their absence here is not a significant downside.

For gamers, having dedicated sound setups like gaming headsets or external speakers offers far superior audio quality compared to what built-in speakers can offer. If you don’t already have a good sound setup, investing in one alongside this monitor will significantly improve your gaming or multimedia experience. The lack of speakers also helps Dell keep the monitor’s design streamlined and focused on performance without adding unnecessary components that most users would likely overlook.

What type of warranty does Dell offer for this monitor?

The Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch comes with Dell’s 3-year Advanced Exchange Service, which is an excellent warranty package for a monitor in this price range. If you encounter any issues with the monitor that are covered under warranty, Dell will send you a replacement unit before you need to ship the faulty one back, minimizing downtime. This proactive replacement service ensures that you’re not left without a display for long, which can be especially helpful for gamers or professionals who rely heavily on their monitors.

In addition to the Advanced Exchange Service, Dell also provides a Premium Panel Exchange policy, which guarantees a replacement monitor if you discover even a single bright pixel defect during the warranty period. This is a reassuring level of protection for buyers who want peace of mind when investing in a new monitor. The combination of these services reflects Dell’s confidence in the durability and quality of their products, making the Dell 144Hz Gaming Monitor FHD 24 Inch a reliable choice for long-term use.