The MSI MAG274QRX is the perfect upgrade for the holidays if you are serious about competitive gaming. It is fast and robust, but it’s inexpensive so your holiday budget will allow for more upgrades to get your E-Sports setup going. There are many great options now, but let’s check the MSI MAG274QRX to see how it fares against its counterparts.
MSI MAG274QRX Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 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): 24.21” x 16.30” x 9.20”
- Weight: 14.18 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG274QRX has a simpler aesthetic compared to its predecessors, but it still has the brand’s aesthetic DNA. The monitor has a matte black finish which looks clean and stealthy, but it has a dash of RGB lighting at the back. The monitor has a three-sided bezel-free design, although it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
This monitor has modest proportions compared to the first few monitors that had V-shaped bases from MSI. The display cabinet is slimmer while the square base takes up less space than the more aggressive-looking designs. It’s also lightweight so you can bring it with you easily if you need it for a competition or maybe a LAN party with the boys.
Its build quality is great and comparable with its premium competitors even if it’s a lower-priced model. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake while you are gaming intensively.
The MSI MAG274QRX has a bright red OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its features and settings. You don’t see it while facing the monitor, but it’s positioned just right so it is easy to reach. Other brands still use buttons for this, although some even go as far as including remotes to make their offerings more attractive.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. A good viewing angle is necessary if you are playing competitively since a good session can last a few hours. You can also use VESA mounts, but that’s not going to be necessary if you only use one screen.
You also get a good set of connectivity options with this model which helps it punch above its price point. The usual DisplayPort 1.4 and dual HDMI 2.0 combination is there, but you also get a USB-C slot with 15 watts of power. There is also a trio of USB 2.0 ports for accessories and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
However, the MSI MAG274QRX doesn’t have built-in speakers which would complete its functionality layout. Built-ins can be used for more basic tasks like video calls or background music, so they add value to any monitor that has them. However, we recognize that headsets will always be better for gaming, especially for monitors like this that are intended for the E-Sports genre.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG274QRX sports a 27-inch Fast-IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model is HDR 400-certified, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to expanding the contrast and providing compelling HDR effects.
27-inch 1440p monitors are considered as the modern sweet spot between sharpness and visibility. It is great for productivity and games, plus E-Sports proponents are even trying to move to it from 1080p. However, it is going to take an upper-tier GPU to reach that 240Hz since it’s more demanding, especially for graphics-intensive titles like Warzone 2.
The MSI MAG274QRX renders 100% sRGB and 93% DCI-P3 for great saturation in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t perfect since the deltaE average reached 3.41 due to the extra saturation. This won’t be an issue for gamers, but those who want to use it for content creation can use the sRGB mode which has a 1.88 dE average.
Calibrating the monitor reduced that high dE average to a more acceptable 1.31 which looks more natural than the default setting. However, you need a colorimeter to squeeze out every ounce of accuracy, so this isn’t recommended for everyone. The gadget needed isn’t exactly cheap so it will break the value proposition of the monitor.
The MSI MAG274QRX’s backlight reached a whopping 469 cd/m2 maximum which exceeded its spec sheet and HDR certification. Its contrast reached 1201:1 at 40% brightness so it’s a bit better than most IPS panels. However, it doesn’t have a FALD backlight so it can’t produce superb HDR performance.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have major issues, although there is some variance in the backlight’s spread. It is only noticeable if you look close enough when viewing dark scenes, so it shouldn’t be an issue while playing. Note that this can change due to tolerances, so there are units with worse panels out there.
Its pixel response time is already decent due to its high refresh rate and Fast IPS technology. However, it will still need some overdrive if you are very sensitive to blurring since it still shows some of them if the transition is fast enough. We recommend staying with the Fast setting for the best possible performance in this regard.
The MSI MAG274QRX is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync so you don’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. Both GPU brands have capable 1440p cards, so it would be wise to get a monitor that’s compatible with both. Input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays while gaming.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG274QRX
The MSI MAG274QRX is a fantastic choice if you want a 1440p monitor that’s suitably fast for competitive play. Its Fast IPS panel offers great vibrancy, although it needs a bit of tweaking if your work requires more than what its sRGB mode can offer. We like MSI’s recent designs and build quality, and it’s a huge bonus that some models like this one include USB-C.
However, the MSI MAG274QRX is far from perfect so it still has some limitations like the 15-watt limitation on its USB-C. However, most are understandable since the monitor is priced to be very competitive. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice considering not many 240Hz 1440p monitors are priced below $500.
Pros:
- Reasonable Price
- Great Color Coverage and Contrast
- Fast and Responsive
- FreeSync and G-Sync
Cons:
- Limited USB-C Wattage
- Dismal Default Accuracy
- Limited HDR
Paolo is a gaming veteran from the golden days of Doom and Warcraft. Since junior high, he has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues. 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 has also spent half a decade researching, reviewing, and writing about these products and now has over 1400 articles about the best gaming tech under his belt.
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