The MSI G27C4X is one of the cheapest gaming monitors you can buy that’s suitable for competitive gaming. It costs below $200, but it has a 250Hz overclocked refresh rate, which would have cost more than triple when it first became available. We’re curious what kind of penalties that combination will impose, if there are any, so let’s take a closer look.
MSI G27C4X Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (W x H x D): 24.1” x 18” x 8.9”
- Weight: 9.9 lbs
Design and Features
It is immediately apparent that the MSI G27C4X is a budget model, although it doesn’t look unattractive. The monitor has a plain black finish with no RGB lighting or decorations, so it’s a nice and clean option for a minimalist setup. It has a bezel-free design on three sides, but it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
Although the curved form factor has expanded some of its dimensions, it’s not an oversized display. The monitor is only two feet wide and needs 8.9 inches of depth despite having a smaller footprint than the other MSI monitors we’ve seen. It weighs 9.9 pounds, so it’s very portable and easy to move around.
Its build quality is not the best, but it is unfair to expect too much from something this affordable. It needs some assembly with a screwdriver, but it’s not a challenge to put together even if you aren’t handy with home tools. The plastics feel a bit thinner than most, but there are no cosmetic defects or signs that they will break or warp with a gentle squeeze.
The MSI G27C4X still manages to include an OSD joystick despite its positioning in the ultra-budget segment. The gadget is located at the back near the lower right corner of the screen, so it is very easy to access. Other budget models would have to make do with buttons, so we’re glad MSI took the extra step in this regard.
The included stand is one of the weaknesses you normally have to deal with when going with an affordable monitor. It can only offer tilt, so you can only center the screen and angle it properly instead of creating unique positions. We highly recommend using VESA mounts since it is not a significant expense to make the monitor more functional.
Another feature that took a hit is the MSI G27C4X’s connectivity layout. It only has DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. That’s more than enough for a multi-platform gaming setup, so we’re good with it. USB ports would be useful for routing extra cables properly, but it’s not a necessity.
You also don’t have speakers with this model since removing them can help lower prices further. We think its fine since built-ins don’t usually sound great for gaming. It’s also a fact that a gaming headset will be better for immersion and focus.
Display and Performance
The MSI G27C4X sports a 27-inch curved VA panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 250Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model doesn’t have HDR certification, but that’s understandable as well.
27-inch 1080p monitors are not the sharpest, but they are great for E-Sports titles and regular use. The looser pixel density helps with visibility and legibility, so you won’t find yourself squinting at small objects. It’s also very easy to run now, so you can build an inexpensive rig that can maximize the screen’s 250Hz refresh rate.
The MSI G27C4X covered 99% sRGB and 84% of DCI-P3, so its not the most vibrant monitor out there. Its deltaE average is at 2.11, so it is decent and balanced out of the box. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, so it is ready for gaming right away.
Using a colorimeter on it reduced the dE average to a fantastic 0.8, making it usable for content creation and editing. However, you have to buy the gadget to get a similar result since copying settings from other units cannot guarantee it. Colorimeters are usually more expensive than this model, so it is not worth it in our eyes.
The MSI G27C4X’s backlight reached 293 cd/m2 at 100%, so it has some room for adjustment. Its contrast reached 2155:1 at 30% brightness, enabling it to produce deeper blacks than its more expensive IPS counterparts. Its great for dark scenes since black backgrounds do not appear washed out, especially when its used at night.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues due to backlight leaks at the top and bottom edges of the panel. They show up more in dark scenes where the VA panel is supposed to shine the most. Thankfully, this isn’t permanent since each is different, so its possible to get a better unit.
The MSI G27C4X also isn’t the most responsive in the VA gaming monitor category. Its slower pixel response time added some noticeable blurring in fast-paced and contrasting transitions, even its running at 250Hz with the overdrive maxed out. It is not the best for E-Sports, but it’s still a capable budget option since not a lot will come close when it comes to price.
The MSI G27C4X is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. This is essential if you want to save money since you won’t need to buy a monitor if you switch GPU brands and want to keep VRR. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 250Hz, so it is very responsive and capable enough for E-Sports.
Thoughts on the MSI G27C4X
The MSI G27C4X is a fantastic offering that brings top-shelf performance closer to the masses. You get a 240Hz+ gaming monitor for the price of a 144Hz model, enabling thrifty gamers to build an affordable yet effective E-Sports rig. It doesn’t have a lot of special features, but its speed and smoothness matter more.
There are a few limitations with the MSI G27C4X, but the killer here is its naturally slow pixel response time and ineffective overdrive. Serious competitive gamers can live with the other issues, but blur-free imaging is a must for this application. However, it is hard to argue with the price, especially since 240Hz Fast IPS models are at least a hundred bucks more.
Pros:
- Extra Low Price for 240Hz+
- Superb Accuracy
- Great Contrast
- FreeSyn and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited Features
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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.
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