The MSI G241 is an inexpensive gaming option that focuses on gaming performance more than extra features such as RGB or aesthetics. It’s a great value monitor that goes up to 144Hz, and anyone could easily mistake it for an office variant with one look. The MSI G241 is an attractive option for thrifty gamers, but what kind of performance can you expect from it?
MSI G241 Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2a x 1, HDMI 1.4b x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.27” x 16.64” x 8.65”
- Weight: 7.28 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI G241 sports a simplified yet modern aesthetic which is, in our opinion, better than their old gamer-centric designs. The monitor has a matte black chassis that is virtually scratch and smudge-proof so anyone can maintain the new look for as long as possible. The display is bezel-free on three sides so users can maximize every inch of the screen without any distractions.
The MSI G241 doesn’t take up a lot of space and it isn’t as heavy as some 24-inch monitors on the market. These characteristics make it portable, so it’s a viable option if you want a gaming monitor that you can take along with you to LAN parties or long trips. It will also work well in a multi-monitor setup, but you need to get a specific mount for two or three.
Build quality for the MSI G241 is great despite its budget-oriented nature which, for some, equates to poor material selection and construction. The device doesn’t have any cosmetic issues and it feels reasonably durable despite being made mostly out of plastic. The stand has a slight wobble due to the center of gravity, but it only becomes disturbing if you poke the screen accidentally.
The MSI G241 doesn’t have RGB lighting, but at least it uses an OSD joystick which is easier to use than buttons. The red knob is located within easy reach, so you don’t have to lean over it even if you can’t see it from the front. It also doubles as the power button, but it’s next to impossible to accidentally power down the screen thanks to the layout.
The included stand on the MSI G241 looks great and it resembles the tail of a plane so it adds a “cool” factor to the product. However, it only offers tilt for adjustments, so it severely limits your options in setting up the display. You can replace it with a VESA mount, but the total cost of adding it can get you a better-equipped option like the AOC 24G2.
The MSI G241 also doesn’t have a lot of connectivity features, but that’s understandable since it is a budget monitor. The layout at the rear includes DisplayPort 1..2 and two HDMI 1.4 slots, along with a 3.5mm jack for convenience. Models like the MAG251RX even have USB-C, but frankly, the G241’s I/O is enough to handle a PC and up to two consoles.
The MSI G241 doesn’t have built-in speakers, but that’s ok since it is already quite affordable. We used to overlook this add-on for monitors we review, but it has recently become useful in recent trends. Work from home users can use it for conference calls or anything similar. It’s nice to have, but we’d gladly part with it if the display product is already cheap.
Display and Performance
The MSI G241 sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight is limited to 250 cd/m2 and the contrast ratio is specified at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. it is advertised with wide gamut coverage, but it isn’t equipped for HDR capabilities like its higher-tiered siblings.
The 1080p screen of the MSI G241 and its size is perfect for daily use since it’s the universal format for most PC monitors. It’s most likely identical to your screen at work so you won’t struggle with tasks such as reading or document processing. It doesn’t offer a lot of space or extra sharpness, but it’s easy to run games at high refresh rates with most GPUs.
The MSI G241 is indeed capable of wide gamut coverage since it can produce 100% sRGB and around 92% DCI-P3. The extra saturation doesn’t give us accurate color by default with the deltaE average reaching as much as 2.93. However, that result is still good for gaming, although a little tweaking wouldn’t hurt as well.
Calibrating the MSI G241 with a colorimeter resulted in fantastic results with the deltaE average dropping down to 0.74. That’s already usable for photo editing, making the monitor great for those who like a practical solution for work and play. However, adding the cost of a colorimeter if you don’t have it yet could buy you a higher-tiered monitor, so choose wisely.
The MSI G241 can get surprisingly bright since its backlight reached as much as 320 cd/m2 at 100%. Its contrast reached as much as 1310: at 30% brightness, so dark scenes look decent and defined. However, it still cannot produce deep blacks like VA or OLED panels, but it is more than good enough compared to other IPS monitors.
Panel uniformity for the MSI G241 is decent since there are no perceivable defects on the major sections of the screen. There is some backlight leak on one bottom corner which can show up in dark scenes, but colored images can hide it well. Take note that this aspect varies between every unit due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The MSI G241’s pixel response time is acceptable since blurring is at least, kept at a minimum. It does have an overdrive feature which can reduce the flaws, but it cannot clean them out completely. There is an Anti Motion Blur feature which is basically backlight strobing, but it will actually worsen the screen’s ghosting and blurring.
The MSI G241 is a FreeSync monitor, but it also works great with Nvidia’s G-Sync Compatible mode. This duality is great for users since you don’t have to change displays if you decide to go with the other GPU brand. Input lag sits at 5ms at 144Hz, so most will not be able to perceive delays or “de-synced” instances.
Thoughts on the MSI G241
The MSI G241 is a fantastic budget option that offers great color quality, contrast, and a 144Hz refresh rate. We love monitors like this since it brings E-Sports ready performance at a fraction of what we used to pay for a fast gaming monitor a few years ago. We like the subdued design as well, although there are some missing features that many will find to be deal-breakers.
There are some limitations you might want to consider when buying the MSI G241, starting with its middling response time compared to other 144Hz IPS monitors. There’s also the lack of creature comforts, but that’s expected at this price range. Overall, it’s an excellent buy if you focus on the screen alone, but it might also be better to spend a bit more for enhanced usability.
Pros:
- Very Low Price for a 144Hz Monitor
- Excellent Color Coverage and Contrast
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- Crisp and Clear IPS Display
Cons:
- Limited Connectivity Features
- Pixel Response Time Could be Better
- Tilt Only Stand
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s 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.
Fredo says
Hello, how many nits was it on 30% brightness?
Paolo Reva says
Hi, Fredo! It provided around 110 cd/m2 at 30%. Cheers!