The MSI MAG345CQR is a reasonably-priced gaming ultrawide that’s perfect for our favorite hobby and productivity. You get a large 34-inch screen with a 180Hz refresh rate, but the best part about it is its sub-$350 pricing. Let’s take a closer look to see if this monitor is an upgrade for your gaming or productivity setup.
MSI MAG345CQR Specifications
- Screen Size: 34 Inches
- Resolution: 3440 x 1440 UW-QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 300 cd/m²
- 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 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.4” x 20.43” x 13.08”
- Weight: 17.09 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MAG345CQR has a simpler design than some of its predecessors, but the gaming character is still distinctly there. The monitor has a matte black finish with gunmetal accents and gentle RGB lighting, so it looks a bit more sophisticated than the typical budget model. The screen has a bezel-free design on three sides, so you get a better view of the large screen.
It needs more room than typical ultrawides because of its oversized stand with long-reaching legs. It needs more than 13 inches of depth, so narrow or shallow desks won’t work nicely. It is not too heavy at 17.09 pounds, but extra care is still necessary while setting it up.
It may be a budget model, but the MSI MAG345CQR actually feels solid and premium compared to other budget offerings. Its plastic panels are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The stand is fully capable of keeping the large display upright, although there is a slight wobble if you nudge it with enough force.
This model also has a joystick for the OSD like its uptier siblings in MSI’s lineup. It’s located at the back near the right side of the display, so you might have to lean a bit to reach it. Other budgets have to make do with buttons, so we’re glad this was included in the design.
The included stand for the MSI MAG345CQR is very flexible, unlike so many other on-budget models that are limited to tilting. You get height and swivel adjustments, so it’s a bit better for users who want a comfortable angle for long hours of use. You can still use VESA mounts, but that is only necessary in distinct instances.
One thing that took a hit with this monitor is its connectivity layout, which doesn’t include a lot of extras. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots for video inputs, but the only extra is its 3.5mm jack for headphones. It also doesn’t have speakers, but that’s fine since headsets are better suited for it anyway.
Display and Performance
The MSI MAG345CQR boasts a 34-inch VA panel with a 3440 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 300 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model mentions that it’s HDR-ready, but it’s not certified by VESA like the other models out there.
1440p ultrawides are perfect for immersive gaming and productivity because of the extra horizontal space they offer. You get more room to maneuver your work, while games look more convincing with the wider FOVs. It will need more GPU horsepower, but many cards are able to handle 3440 x 1440 now with ease.
The MSI MAG345CQR covers 100% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 for rich colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.61, so it’s already balanced and decently accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to calibrate it before use, so it is great for those who simply want to plug and play.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.89, making it usable for editing work and content creation. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve identical results. We can only recommend them for users who are into color-critical work, but a better prosumer monitor should be prioritized instead.
The MSI MAG345CQR’s backlight reached 365 cd/m2 at 100%, pushing beyond what the specifications are listing. Its contrast peaked at 3055:1 at 30% brightness, enabling it to produce deeper blacks than its IPS counterparts. It’s not as good as OLED in that regard, but it’s also a fraction of the price.
Its panel uniformity was great overall since there were no major backlight leaks on its main quadrants. There is some clouding on the sides, but they are only noticeable in select instances. Note that this can vary with every MAG345CQR made due to tolerances, so there are worse ones out there.
The biggest weakness of the MSI MAG345CQR is its slower pixel response time, which all VA monitors have. Setting its overdrive to the Fastest level didn’t help much, but it did improve the trailing and ghosting that happened often. The monitor is great for gaming, but competitive titles are out of the question.
The MSI MAG345CQR is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual VRR is essential for high-resolution gaming, so you can get smooth visuals no matter which GPU brand you use. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it’s fast and very responsive for gaming.
Thoughts on the MSI MAG345CQR
The MSI MAG345CQR is fantastic because of its price and overall image quality. The monitor is very affordable, but it doesn’t disappoint where it matters most. It has excellent colors and contrast, and you get more screen space for every dollar spent.
The only weakness is still the slower pixel response time that’s common on VA panels. It’s expected, but many brands have gotten around it with specialized implementations. It’s a fantastic gaming monitor, but it is just not suitable for fast-paced gaming.
Pros:
- Very Affordable
- Excellent Colors and Contrast
- Great Build Quality
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Limited Connectivity
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 has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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