The MSI MAG 325CQRXF makes 240Hz 1440p gaming attainable for the masses by dropping its price below $400. It is crazy how these amazing specifications have come down in price, but that also makes us curious to see what penalties it incurred. Let’s take a closer look to know if it’s a worthy upgrade that won’t break the bank.
MSI MAG 325CQRXF Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440p QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 400 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 x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 27.61″ x 18.87″ x 10.63″
- Weight: 16.98 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF employs a familiar aesthetic most MAG series monitors have. It has a simpler matte black aesthetic with a splash of RGB lighting at the back. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but you still get inner borders just like most modern monitors.
It’s a larger, 32-inch display, so some users might struggle with setting it up if their desks are smaller than the standard size. It needs over 10 inches of depth due to the enlarged stand, but its legs are thin, so you can place bits and pieces in between. It’s light for a 32-inch model, but extra care is still necessary since it’s easy to tip it over.
Its build quality is great, especially when compared to the first few releases MSI had a while back. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, and there were no signs of weakness or cosmetic defects. The stand is stable, but the large screen can still wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its settings and features. It’s located in the back on the lower right corner of the screen, so it’s within reach if you lean in a bit. Other monitors have buttons that are annoying to use, especially if you want to adjust something on the fly while in the middle of a gaming session.
The stand included with the monitor offers tilt and height adjustments, so it is not the most flexible out there. However, curved displays like this only have to be centered to maximize them, and there’s no reason to pivot it into portrait mode as well. You can use a VESA mount, but those only become necessary in select instances.
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The MSI MAG 325CQRXF’s layout is well-equipped for a monitor in its price range. It has DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2,.0 slots, along with a 15-watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode, You also three USB 2.0 ports with it along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
It doesn’t have speakers, but that’s okay since the monitor deserves immersive headsets. They will be better for games since you can focus and drown out the unwanted background noise.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF boasts a 32-inch curved VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output and a 400 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model has HDR 400 certification, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to true HDR effects.
1440p is perfect for gaming since it’s not very demanding, and it’s a notable upgrade over 1080p models. Getting to 240Hz has never been easier with the current GPUs in the market, so it’s the perfect time to upgrade. It is not going to be as sharp as the more common 27-inch variant, but the higher pixel count is still appreciable here.
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF covers 100% sRGB and 87% DCI-P3 for great colors in games and movies. The default deltaE average is at 2.41, so it is not entirely accurate out of the box. Most gamers will be happy with it, though, since its punchy colors will complement its high contrast.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.83, making it almost as accurate as the prosumer variants. The downside is that you will have to get a colorimeter to achieve comparable results. The gadget isn’t cheap by any means, so it’s only worth it if you will make money with the monitor.
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF’s backlight reached 369 cd/m2 at 100%, and it peaked at 405 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. Its contrast peaked at 4277:1, indicating that its capable of deep blacks and convincing dark scenes. However, it is incapable of HDR performance that competes with the high-end models.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was not impressive since there were backlight leaks on the top and bottom edges of the display. They are noticeable in dark scenes, so immersive games can be ruined by the resulting clouding and light flares. Note that this can vary between every unit made due to manufacturing tolerance, so it is possible to get a better unit if you are lucky.
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF isn’t the fastest 240Hz monitor when it comes to pixel response time. Some persistence and smudges can still happen, especially when your framerate suddenly drops too far from the 240hz limit. Using the overdrive’s Fast setting is your best bet since it offers the best balance between blurring and overshoot.
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter and tear-free gaming. Dual compatibility is necessary if you want to save money in the long run since you won’t have to ditch the monitor if you want to keep VRR but have switched to the other GPU brand. Its input lag is at 3ms a 240Hz, so it is as fast as most monitors in the same class.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG 325CQRXF
The MSI MAG 325CQRXF is a fantastic buy for E-Sports fanatics who want lightning-fast performance and immersive visual effects. The screen’s imaging performance, apart from its HDR rendering, is great, so it should do well in both competitive and casual immersive circumstances. It’s built well with plenty of features that make it more flexible.
Its budget-oriented nature introduced some limitations, like the limited HDR performance. However, it’s enough to dismiss the monitor as a bad choice since its overall output outweighs them. But what makes it great is its incredible pricing, which only a few can match in the market.
Pros:
- Excellent Contrast
- Accurate Calibrated Colors
- Affordable
Cons:
- Limited HDR
- Prone to Some Blurring
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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