The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD is a sub-$400 gaming monitor with a large, immersive form factor and Quantum Dot technology. It’s a 170Hz 1440p screen, so it’s also perfect for playing your favorite titles at its current price point. Let’s check it out to see if it has any weaknesses or if it’s one of the best budget-friendly options available today.
MSI 325CQRF-QD Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 170Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3500:1
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot– No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD15W x 1, USB 2.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 27.61″ x 18.87″ x 10.63″
- Weight: 16.98 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD sports a more mature aesthetic than its predecessor, so it looks cleaner and more sophisticated. It has a matte black finish all over, but it has an RGB strip at the back for your themed setup. The display has a three-sided bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
It’s a massive monitor, so those with compact tables and larger peripherals might want to reconsider before pulling the trigger. It needs 10 inches of depth which is reasonable, but its width might get in the way of larger speakers. It’s light at 17 pounds, but extra care Is necessary for carrying it since it’s bigger than your average display.
Build quality is great even if this model belongs in the lower-priced brackets from MSI. The plastics used are sturdy to withstand flexing and cracking, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is stable, but the screen can wobble slightly when touched.
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD has an OSD joystick at the back for your comfort and convenience. It’s located at the back near the right-hand side of the screen, so you might have to lean in to reach it. However, it’s still far easier to manipulate versus a button layout which takes multiple keypresses or gestures.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, and height adjustments, just like its closest competitors, such as the Gigabyte G32QC. However, that’s sufficient for daily use, especially since the monitor has a curve that dictates that it should be centered on you. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s only necessary in select instances.
Its connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, but you also get a USB-C slot with DP Alt Mode. The downside is it only offers 15 watts of charging power, so it can only charge mobile phones and tablets. You also get two USB-A ports with it, so you can still arrange your keyboard and mouse into it.
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD doesn’t have speakers, but that’s understandable since it’s a budget model. It’s also designed to be immersive, so headsets that can drown out your ambient noise will work best.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD sports a 32-inch curved VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 170Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while its contrast is listed at 3500:1. This model isn’t HDR-certified, but MSI’s product page mentioned that the monitor is HDR-ready.
32-inch 1440p monitors aren’t as crisp as the more common 27-inch models since their pixel density is closer to a 24-inch 1080p screen. However, the higher pixel count is still there, so games still look better and more detailed even if you turn down some settings. This monitor is also easy to run with mid to upper-midrange cards, so you don’t have to spend top dollar to get a good system.
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD covers 100% and 95% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts, thanks to its QD layer. Its default accuracy could be better since it has a deltaE average of 2.43, but that’s quite okay for a wide-gamut gaming variant. Most users won’t feel the need to calibrate it, plus some gamers might even appreciate the extra saturation.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.12, making it suitable for editing work and content creation. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get a score like this. It’s not particularly affordable, but it is only practical if you will use the monitor for color-critical work.
The screen’s backlight reached 304 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it can fight off a decent amount of glare. Its contrast reached 3211:1 at 60% brightness, so it is capable of deep and convincing dark scenes that will match its steep curve. Only OLEDs are better in this regard, so these characteristics can be considered a big bonus from an affordable alternative.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues to to backlight leaks at the corners and top edge of the screen. They show up as clouding when a dark or full-black image is shown, but they are less likely to become an annoyance on white backgrounds or full-colored images. Note that this can vary between every monitor made due to tolerances, so it’s entirely possible to get a better unit.
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD has a better response time than previous VA gaming monitors. However, it is still prone to some blurring and persistence, particularly when lighter objects streak through a darker background. You can use some overdrive to alleviate it, but using too much will induce overshoot.
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter-free performance. This duality is essential nowadays, so you won’t get stuck with one GPU brand during upgrade cycles. Input lag sits at 4ms at 170Hz, so it’s fast enough for E-Sports titles like Valorant or CSGO.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD
The MSI MAG 325CQRF-QD is a well-rounded monitor from a very reasonable price point. It has a rich and immersive screen with great colors and excellent contrast. It’s also equipped with valuable extras like USB-C, which makes it a bit more flexible than other thoroughbred gaming variants.
However, it has a few quirks that some might consider as deal breakers. Its curvature might be too steep and polarizing, while its USB-C is disappointingly limited to 15 watts. But overall, its an excellent buy if you simply want an immersive screen that can keep up with premium options.
Pros:
- High Contrast and Rich Colors
- USB-C Connectivity
- Great Price
Cons:
- Steep Curve Not for Everyone
- USB-C is Limited to 15W
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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