Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q 4K Ultra HD Monitor Review

Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q Performance Summary And Conclusion

Performance Summary: Once you experience a 4K monitor, it's terribly difficult returning to a pedestrian 1080p display, or even a 2560x1600 monitor, especially when you play around with one that performs as well as the Dell UP3214Q. Unlike some earlier (and lower quality) 4K monitors that use IGZO technology, the UP3214Q uses a high quality panel with superb color reproduction. We were especially impressed with its white and gray level performance, and were pleasantly surprised to see it could even handle gaming.


Dell's UltraSharp 31.5-inch UP3214Q 4K Monitor Can Be Found For Just Over $2,700 On Amazon.

 

Over time, we're going to see a bevy of 4K monitors enter the market, especially since hardware makers and content creators aren't caught up in a standoff waiting for one another to make the first move. The question is, should you buy a 4K monitor today, or wait until the technology has had a chance to grow, mature, and come down in price.

There's no cut and dry answer, though we do have some thoughts on the matter. If we were buying a 4K monitor today, hands down it would be the Dell UltraSharp UP3214Q. It offers plenty of real-estate in a slim package, comes pre-calibrated from the factory, has an internal hardware lookup table (LUT), and offers wide color coverage (99 percent AdobeRGB and 100 percent sRGB). We noticed some issues with pixel tracking and we've seen monitors offer better black level performance, but these are relatively minor flaws in what's otherwise a high-quality monitor.

It's a tougher sell for gamers. Even though we were pleasantly surprised at how little ghosting there was, the 8ms response time isn't anything to brag about, and you're still limited to 60Hz at best. Hardcore gamers are probably better off focusing their attention on other upgrades, so that when the next generation of 4K monitors arrive, they'll have a system beefy enough to take advantage of it.


For office workers, photography buffs, content creators, game designers, and power users in general, Dell's UP3214Q is the go-to 4K monitor. The only caveat (other than price) is you'll want to make sure you're equipped to run it at 60Hz, which offers a much smoother experience than 30Hz, even when just navigating Windows. It's a pricey panel, but you also have to keep in mind that you're paying a premium for several coveted features, including the 4K resolution, factory calibration, built-in LUT, USB 3.0 connectivity, and a swank advanced exchange warranty that lasts 3 years.

 

  • It's 4K, baby!
  • Superb color reproduction for graphics professionals
  • USB 3.0 ports
  • Built-in hardware Look Up Table (LUT)
  • Premium warranty with advanced exchange
  • Kind of expensive
  • Relies on MST to deliver 60Hz at 4K
  • Stand doesn't rotate

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