The MSI MPG 321URX is a competitively-priced alternative to the Alienware AW3225QF and the Asus PG32UCDM. It boasts an identical 32-inch OLED panel with a 4K 240Hz output, putting it in the race for the title of ultimate endgame monitor. Let’s take a closer look to know how it stacks against its fantastic competition.
MSI MPG 321URX Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: QD-OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (1000 cd/m2 Peak)
- 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 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.27″ x 19.02″ x 9.53″
- Weight: 21.61 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MPG 321URX adopts a simpler aesthetic than its competitors, so it won’t be too polarizing for minimalist fans. The display has a matte black finish all over, although it has the dragon logo imprint and a small RGB LED at the back. The screen has a bezel-free design, although it still has inner borders and a bottom strip like most modern displays.
It’s larger than most monitors, but its dimensions are slightly smaller than the Asus and Alienware offerings. It only needs 9.53 inches of depth, and it’s shorter overall by around two inches. It is quite heavy at 21.61 pounds, so extra care is necessary during unboxing and initial setup.
The MSI MPG 321URX may be the lowest priced in its category so far, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The plastics used are sturdy and precise, so there are no signs of cosmetic defects on any of the parts. The included stand is firm and stable, although there is still some wobble if you nudge the screen’s corners accidentally.
The monitor has an OSD joystick in the middle under the MSI logo. It is easy to reach and manipulate, so you won’t struggle with adjusting some settings on the fly. Other premium options include remotes, but those are only truly valuable if they don’t raise the final price of the product.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, a limited amount of pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It’s easy to find a comfortable angle or level the screen with the default setup, so no extra spending will be necessary for most. You can still use VESA mounts, but it is only necessary if space is limited or if you have multiple screens on deck.
One of the most interesting aspects of the MSI MPG 321URX is its connectivity layout. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots, along with a 90-watt USB-C slot for modern laptops like the latest MacBooks. It also has a USB 2.0 hub with two type-A and one type-B slot, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
It doesn’t have speakers like its competitors, but that’s always acceptable for a monitor like this. It is better served by a decent pair of headsets to maximize its immersive effects for games and movies. It’s always nice to have extras, but most gamers can live without them, especially if they are the typical 2-watt cans that are too weak for gaming audio.
Display and Performance
The MSI MPG 321URX sports a 32-inch QD-OLED panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel has a 250 cd/m2 typical output and a 1000 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is HDR 400 True Black certified, which we all know means that it is capable of better HDR performance than the regular HDR certified models, including the HDR 1000 mini-LED variants.
We’ve always advocated 32-inch screens as the perfect size for 4K when it comes to desktop monitors. It’s still incredibly sharp and detailed, but small things like letters do not look microscopic. Some scaling might still be necessary, but it is not as big of a predicament as choosing the GPU that will do 4K 240Hz for the games you play.
The MSI MPG 321URX covers more than 100% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3 for stunning colors in games and movies. However, its deltaE average is all over the place, with an average of 3.87 due to the extended color coverage. That’s bad for editing work, but gamers typically like the color-pop and rich hues in most titles.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 2.05 for a better-balanced output. It’s not comparable to what the AW3225QF and PG32UCDM can offer post-calibration, but that only matters if the user plans to utilize the monitor for editing or content creation. It’s only worth it if you are into that or if you want to maintain the panel’s accuracy, but for everything else, it’s just an unwarranted expense.
The QD-OLED panel’s brightness peaked at 231 cd/m2 in SDR, and it peaked at 1015 cd/m2 when HDR mode was active. This along with the infinite contrast creates fantastic HDR imagery, including true and deep blacks. IPS and VA panels, including those with sophisticated mini-LED implementations, cannot match OLEDs in this regard.
The MSI MPG 321URX was great since there were no noticeable dips in the illumination’s spread. The corners are a bit dimmer than the center, but its only noticeable when its scanned with a colorimeter. Note that this can vary with every unit made due to tolerances, so there are worse and some better ones out there.
OLED monitors do not have to deal with backlights, and every transition is done at the pixel level. This means that they are practically blur-free, so they are highly suitable for fast-paced games like E-Sports titles. However, OLEDs are not made with 1080p resolutions, so the E-Sports genre will have to move up to 1440p before we see it become mainstream.
The MSI MPG 321URX is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear-free gaming. VRR is essential for 4K, so having dual compatibility guarantees that you can use it even if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at a little over 1ms, indicating that its just as fast as the other options in its esteemed category.
Thoughts on the MSI MPG 321URX
The MSI MPG 321URX is an excellent choice if you want true HDR performance with a lightning-fast 4K display. It offers fantastic colors and, of course, contrast, and it’s faster than most of the sophisticated monitors in the same price range. It’s also equipped with desirable features, but the best part about it is its considerably lower price tag.
The MSI MPG 321URX didn’t do as well as the Alienware AW3225QF and the Asus PG32UCDM when it comes to accuracy or calibrated results. However, that’s the only notable disadvantage it has when directly compared with the others. It is cheaper by around $350 at the time of review, so we’re willing to overlook that flaw.
Pros:
- Full Colors and Contrast
- Crisp and Clear
- Plenty of Connectivity Options
- Fast and Lag-Free
Cons:
- Poor Default and Calibrated Accuracy
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.
Leave a Reply