The MSI MAG325CQRF rolls desirable specifications like its large high contrast panel into an attractively priced package. The monitor has a QHD resolution and a curved surface, making it great for immersive gaming and entertainment. Let’s take a closer look at what you can get for less than $350 with this new model.
MSI MAG325CQRF 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: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- 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 x 1, USB 2.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 27.6″ x 22.8″ x 10.6″
- Weight: 17 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG325CQRF looks more sophisticated than its predecessors, but it still has MSI’s distinct gaming aesthetics. The monitor has a matte black finish that’s highlighted by an RGB strip at the back. The display barely has any bezels, but you still get inner borders with it just like most modern monitors.
It’s a large monitor, being a 32-inch model, so you might need to make way on your desk to accommodate it. The device needs more than 10 inches of depth and 22 inches of width, so those with shallow and narrow desks might need to get creative. But it is not heavy on the other hand at 17 pounds, so it should be fairly easy to move it around as needed.
The product’s build quality is comparable with what you can get from other tap brands in this category. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, plus there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand can hold the monitor upright sufficiently, although it can slightly wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The MSI MAG325CQRF has an OSD joystick at the lower corner of the monitor’s back panel. It’s accessible from the right side when facing the monitor, but it is quite close to the edge, so you don’t have to lean in too much to reach it. Other monitors even go as far as including software for adjustments, but that’s necessary in most instances.
The monitor’s stand only offers tilt and height adjustments, but that’s sufficient in our opinion. Curved monitors only need to be centered properly so you won’t need swiveling plus, it is not ideal for portrait use, so pivoting isn’t needed as well. You can use VESA mounts if you need more flexibility, but that only becomes necessary in select instances.
We can say that its connectivity layout punches above its price point since it offers more than some of its competitors. You get DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 15 Watts of power. You will also find two USB-A slots and a USB-B upstream port, along with a 3.5mm jack for earphones.
One thing missing from the MSI MAG325CQRF is a pair of built-in speakers. They won’t be missed anyway since headphones are better for a monitor like this for better immersion and focus. There’s also the fact that most built-ins are tinny or weak anyway, so they might be useless for the product’s intended purpose.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG325CQRF sports a 32-inch curved VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 170Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while its contrast is listed at 3500:1. This model doesn’t list HDR certifications, but it is HDR10-compatible, so it can accept the signals and translate them.
Larger 1440p monitors aren’t very sharp since their pixel density is comparable with a 24-inch 1080p screen. However, you have to account for the extra pixels, so games will look crisper and detailed on them. They are also better for work compared to 4K screens since letters and numbers do not become microscopic.
The MSI MAG325CQRF covers 99% sRGB and 87% DCI-P3 for decent vibrancy in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t perfect since the deltaE average is at 2.51, but most gamers won’t notice the difference. Most will only need a few tweaks, like adjusting the screen’s brightness before using it to play games.
Calibrating the screen reduced the dE average to 1.81, which is better and more balanced than the default setting. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve it, and those things are not cheap or easy to come by. We can only recommend them to those who are into color-critical work, but a prosumer monitor should be the first thing on the list.
The MSI MAG325CQRF’s backlight managed to reach 289 cd/m2 at 100%, so it isn’t very bright like some of its competitors. Its contrast peaked at 4211:1 at 40% brightness, enabling it to produce deep blacks and convincing dark scenes. It would have been fantastic for HDR, but you need a more complicated and expensive backlight system for effective performance.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some backlight leaks at the top and bottom edges of the display. This is common with curved displays, although they are only usually visible in dark backgrounds or night scenes. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better units out there.
The MSI MAG325CQRF is a VA monitor, so it is still prone to blurring, unlike the fast-IPS models. It is mostly noticeable in fast and contrasting transitions, but it shouldn’t reach the point of being disturbing for most people. Setting the overdrive too high doesn’t help since it adds overshoot, so we recommend looking at other options if you play games like Valorant or CS2.
The MSI MAG325CQRF is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter-free gaming. This duality is invaluable now since it allows you to keep the monitor and VRR even if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag is at 4ms at 170Hz, so it is very responsive under any circumstance.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG325CQRF
The MSI MAG325CQRF is an excellent choice if you want a large and immersive display at a fraction of the price. It offers a high-contrast panel with decent colors and responsiveness, so it should be great for immersive titles. It also includes features that you won’t regularly find on budget models, like its USB-C connectivity.
It is not perfect, but most of its flaws, like the blurring, are well-documented and expected. It’s not suitable for competitive gaming, but it is not terribly bad for it either if you consider the price. It’s a decent buy if you want to upgrade without spending too much.
Pros:
- Affordable Price
- Large and Immersive Display
- Fantastic Contrast
- USB-C Connectivity
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- USB-C Limited to 15 watts
- Limited HDR Performance
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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