The MSI MAG 323UPF is a reasonably-priced 4K monitor with a large display and high-end performance. It’s a 4K gaming monitor that goes up to 160Hz, giving it that desirable edge for gamers who want to push their gaming to the limits. The 4K 144Hz+ monitor category has become very competitive, so let’s check how this monitor fares against its established rivals.
MSI MAG 323UPF Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 160Hz
- Response Time: .2ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 440 cd/m2 (600 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 2.0 x 4, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.63″ x 19.48″ x 6.61″
- Weight: 21.39 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG 323UPF has a simpler design than other MAG monitors, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It has a matte black chassis without RGB lights, so its easy to think that it’s a regular office or business display. The large screen doesn’t have bezels, but it still has inner borders like many models out there.
It is larger than most monitors, but it has the most modest dimensions in its category. The device only needs 6.61 inches of depth from your desk, so it shouldn’t be too troublesome if your desk is shallow. It’s a bit heavy at 21.39 pounds, but it is manageable for its size.
It may be a more affordable option, but MSI did not cheapen out when it comes to build quality. It has a lot of plastic parts, but it’s sturdy and reliable despite its size. The screen doesn’t sag or wobble so it will hold its position through the heat of battle.
The MSI MAG 323UPF has a joystick for the OSD, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to tweak and maximize it. The gadget is located at the back near the lower right corner of the screen, so it’s reachable without having to flip the device. Other monitors offer remotes and other add-ons, but those are less important, especially if they affect pricing.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your convenience. Pivoting was not included since a monitor like this won’t be ideal for portrait viewing anyway. It is compatible with VESA mounts, but that extra purchase only becomes necessary in some select instances.
What’s great about the MSI MAG 323UPF is its connectivity layout which offers more than most of what its competitors have. It has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C port with DP Alt mode. You also get a USB 2.0 hub and a 3.5mm jack for headphones, although there are no speakers with this model.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG 323UPF sports a 32-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 160Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 440 cd/m2 output and a 600 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 600 certified, but not a lot of monitors that have it offer appreciable HDR performance.
4K is more comfortable to view and use at this size simply because the pixel density isn’t too tight. It works well for productivity, but it doesn’t lose the sharpness that makes enthusiasts prefer it over 1080p and 1440p. What doesn’t change is the higher GPU requirement, although modern upper-class cards can now handle 4K screens decently.
The MSI MAG 323UPF covered 100% sRGB and 96% DCI-P3 for rich colors in games and movies. It had poor accuracy with a deltaE average of 3.42 due to the oversaturation. However, gamers can still use it straight away since that extra color pop is most of the time welcome for entertainment purposes.
Calibrating it reduced the average to 0.44, making it comparable with some prosumer monitors in the market. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve something similar, and those gadgets are not cheap. It’s only worth getting that if you are into color-critical work, but purely gaming applications should be fine without it.
The MSI MAG 323UPF’s backlight reached 431 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 711 cd/m2 when its HDR mode is active. The highest contrast recorded on it was at 1194:1 at 40% brightness, so it is capable of slightly better black luminance. However, it doesn’t have comprehensive local dimming, so its HDR performance leaves something to be desired.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had minor issues due to small backlight leaks at the edges of the screen. Some clouding becomes visible as a result, so darker scenes do not look even at times. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The MSI MAG 323UPF’s pixel response time is great since there was barely any blurring on it. Setting a modest overdrive level helps to keep persistence at bay, but we do not recommend maxing it out since doing so will induce overshoot. The monitor works great for fast-paced games, and only something with a higher refresh rate will be better at this point.
The MSI MAG 323UPF is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter-free gaming. It is imperative to get dual compatibility for 4K gaming since VRR is essential for it, and you wouldn’t want to lose compatibility when you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 160Hz, so it is very responsive, like the top monitors out there.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG 323UPF
The MSI MAG 323UPF is a decent choice in the sub-$800 4K 144Hz+ gaming monitor category. It has comprehensive gamut coverage and fast response times, so gamers will love it even if it is used out of the box. It has all the desirable connectivity features, but what’s best about it is its currently discounted price which sits below $600.
However, it does have some imperfections, which put it behind top picks like the Lenovo Y32p-30. Its default color accuracy isn’t the best, but that’s minor since everything else works great. It is an excellent buy despite that unless its price somehow snaps back to the original MSRP.
Pros:
- Large and Crisp Screen
- Vibrant Colors
- USB-C and HDMI 2.1 Connectivity
- FreeSync and G-Sync
Cons:
- Poor Default Accuracy
- Limited HDR Performance 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.
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