The MSI MAG 274UPF promises improved performance and lower pricing versus the MAG 281URF. It’s also one of the few 4K 144Hz models out there that mention E-Sports, so it should be capable of brilliant speed and motion handling. The MSI MAG 274UPF is a very attractive proposition due to its very reasonable price and potential, but let’s check it out to know if it’s a worthy investment.
MSI MAG 274UPF Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (75 x 75)
- Connectivity DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD65W x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 24.15” x 15.83” x 7.74”
- Weight: 13.31 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG 274UPF isn’t as flashy as the older monitors from the brand, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The monitor has a matte black chassis that looks discrete and sophisticated without flashy logos and accents. The display has a bezel-free design, but you still get inner borders that are barely noticeable while gaming.
MSI managed to make this model’s dimensions more modest, so it should fit into most setups. The device only needs 7.74 inches of depth, while its width should be too intrusive even if you have other large peripherals. It’s also lightweight for a 27-inch model, so you can use it for LAN parties or E-Sports events and conventions.
The build quality for the test sample was excellent, telling us that this is one of the brand’s upper-class options. The plastics used were thick and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand does a good job of keeping the monitor upright even if its base was downsized.
The MSI MAG 274UPF has a toggle joystick for the OSD, so you don’t have to worry about tweaking the monitor as needed. It’s located at the back, but it is very easy to access since it’s close to the right side edge of the display. Some offerings include remotes, but we’re happy with the 274UPF’s default setup since it’s functional and easy to access.
The stand included with the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It is easy to get a good angle for long hours of gaming so you should be able to avoid neck strain. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s not as necessary for most situations.
What makes the MSI MAG 274UPF very attractive is its connectivity layout which starts off with DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots for the latest consoles. You also get a 65-Watt USB-C port for the latest laptops, two USB 3.0 ports, and KVM functionality to utilize them. There is also a 3.5mm jack for headphones, so you are covered just in case you want to route everything through it.
It doesn’t have speakers, but that’s okay since monitors like this deserve powerful desktop speakers or gaming headsets. The latter will help you drown out the world and focus on the game at hand, so they are always preferable for maximum enjoyment. It would be nice to have an extra set with the monitor, but it’s acceptable not to have them if the price is lower than expected.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG 274UPF sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model is HDR 400-certified, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to HDR performance.
4K is very crisp at this size, so it’s fantastic for anything imaging, such as movies or games. It’s harder to read and browse if you don’t use scaling, so business and casual computing users might have to go with a lower resolution. It is great for gaming, as mentioned, but you will need a potent GPU to keep and maximize framerates.
The MSI MAG 274UPF renders 100% sRGB and 96% of the DCI-P3 gamut for rich colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t the best, with a deltaE average of 2.86, but that’s reasonable for a wider gamut display like it. Gamers won’t mind the extra saturation, so they should be fine with minor adjustments.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.81, enabling the monitor to be a fantastic substitute for color-critical work. This is great for customers since the monitor also has USB-C connectivity, so they don’t have to buy separate displays for work and play. The colorimeter isn’t cheap, so we can only recommend the extra purchase if you are using the monitor to make a living as well.
The MSI MAG 274UPF’s backlight reached an impressive 493 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it has a lot of room for adjustment. Its contrast ratio peaked at 1076:1 at 25% brightness, so it’s not the best at black luminance. Dark scenes can look washed out at times, so OLEDs or VA types should be your pick if this bothers you.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was excellent since there were no defects like backlight bleeding. There is some variance in the backlight’s spread, but it was only noticeable when the screen was blank with a black background. Note that this can vary with monitors made due to tolerances, so there are units with worse symptoms out there.
The MSI MAG 274UPF isn’t the fastest when it comes to pixel response time, even if it mentions E-Sports performance. Its overdrive doesn’t do much, and only the middle or Fast setting since it improves the motion clarity a little bit without adding overshoot. Using the maximum or Faster level doesn’t help since it adds visible overshoot in fast and contrasting transitions.
The MSI MAG 274UPF is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync, so you don’t have to worry about stuttering and tearing. It is essential to have compatibility with both so you don’t have to buy another monitor if you switch to either AMD or Nvidia GPUs. Input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so just as fast and responsive as the other 4K 144Hz in the market.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG 274UPF
The MSI MAG 274UPF is a decent choice if you want a vibrant 4K 144Hz for work and play. Its IPS panel offers superb clarity and color coverage, so it is great for games, movies, and work usage. It also comes equipped with all the must-have connectivity features, making it usable for a host of devices, including PS5s and the latest MacBooks.
However, it does have a few weaknesses, like its expected weak performance in HDR and the slower pixel response time. We expected it to be blur-free, although it is still better in this regard than its VA counterparts. It’s challenging to complain considering its price point, although it would be a better buy if it is discounted like its predecessor.
Pros:
- Vibrant 4K 144Hz Gaming Display
- Reasonable Price
- PD65W USB-C and HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Slower Pixel Response Time
- Limited HDR and Contrast
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.
Leave a Reply