The MSI MPG 491CQP boasts impressive specs at a more reasonable price point that will blow its competition away. It offers a 49-inch super ultrawide panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, but it is half a grand cheaper than the Asus PG49WCD. Let’s look closer to know if this is the next value king in the 49-inch OLED market.
MSI MPG 491CQP Specifications
- Screen Size: 49 Inches
- Resolution:5120 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 32:9
- Panel Technology: Quantum Dot OLED
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m² (1000 cd/m² Peak)
- 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 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimension (W x H x D): 47.05” x 16.15” x 12.92”
- Weight: 22.71 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MPG 491CQP has a simpler design than the older models, but it still looks like it was designed for gaming. The monitor has a matte black finish with an etched dragon logo at the back, so you can’t miss the fact that it’s not from MSI’s Modern lineup. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has thin inner borders and a thicker bottom strip.
This monitor is massive, so preemptive checks for your desk situation are a must. It will need more than a foot of depth and almost four feet of width, so a regular-sized desk might not be able to accommodate it in full. It’s also on the heavier side of monitors at 22.71 pounds, so extra care is necessary to set it up.
It may be a cheaper model, but its build quality will not disappoint, thanks to MSI’s massive improvements over the years. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, plus they are free from cosmetic defects like uneven seams or gaps. The included stand does a great job of keeping the massive display upright, although it can still wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The MSI MPG 491CQP has an OSD joystick at the center and under the bottom bezel. It’s very easy to access, so you won’t have to extend it all the way to the side of the extra wide display. Other models have remotes, but it is okay not to have them if the price is lower than the alternatives that include it.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It’s very easy to center the monitor around your seating position, so most users should be fine with the stock setup. You can still use VESA mounts, but that only becomes necessary for select instances.
The MSI MPG 491CQP’s connectivity layout has been upgraded with future-proof options. It has DisplayPort 1.4 primarily, but it also includes two HDMI 2.1 ports and a 90-watt USB-C slot with DP Alt mode. They skimped on the USB-A slots since there are only two version 2.0 connectors, but that’s fine for small peripherals like gaming mice anyway.
Another missing feature from this model is a pair of built-in speakers that are usable for entertainment or media consumption. However, it is understandable not to have them since the monitor’s benefits are more appreciable if you use a gaming headset. It is nice to have a backup set, but we can also live without built-ins since they are rarely used anyway.
Display and Performance
The MSI MPG 491CQP sports a 49-inch OLED panel with a 5120 x 1440 DQHD resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel has a 250 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is certified for HDR 400 True Black, so it is capable of substantially better contrast and HDR performance versus the regular HDR 400 monitors.
49-inch super ultrawides are perfect for immersive gaming and productivity because of the screen space they offer. You get the equivalent of two 27-inch 1440p monitors side by side but without the bezels in between. This gives you a lot of room to maneuver your workflow or enjoy the expansive fields of view from your favorite titles.
The MSI MPG 491CQP covers more than 100% sRGB and a whopping 99% of the DCI-P:3 gamut for stunning color in games and movies. However, it’s the least accurate out of the box with a high deltaE average of 3.87. Most users won’t mind, plus it’s quite common with wide gamut displays that are meant to make colors pop even more.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.61, which is considerably better and more neutral than the stock setting. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results, and those are not cheap at all. We can only recommend them for users who do color-critical work, but a better and more accurate monitor should be prioritized as well.
The panel’s brightness reached 261 cd/m2 in SDR, but it had a 1050 cd/m2 peak when HDR was active. Its contrast is infinite, just like with most OLED gaming panels in the market. It is fantastic for HDR gaming or movies, and none of the other panel types will be able to match that.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have issues like backlight bleeding simply because it doesn’t have a backlight. There are some variances that can happen during transitions, but it’s nearly impossible to spot them while gaming. Note that this can still vary with every monitor made, plus there is a chance of burn-in if you aren’t careful.
The MSI MPG 491CQP’s response time is fantastic since it’s not bound by the rules of a WLED display. It barely shows any blurring, so it’s great for fast-paced titles like Warzone. There are some contrasting transitions that have a tiny bit of trails, but it is very hard to notice.
The MSI MPG 491CQP is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for stutter-free gaming. It is essential to get dual compatibility with a monitor so you don’t have to buy another one if you change to the other GPU brand but still want VRR functionality. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 144Hz, so it is just as fast as most of the 144Hz super ultrawides in the market.
Thoughts on the MSI MPG 491CQP
The MSI MPG 491CQP is a fantastic choice if you want a 49-inch OLED gaming monitor for under a thousand bucks. It offers fantastic vibrancy and contrast, so it’s great for enjoying the visuals your favorite titles can give. It’s designed quite well, even if it’s cheaper, and it even includes a 90-watt USB-C port for extra flexibility.
We have no complaints about this monitor that would make us drop our rating for it, except for the poor color accuracy. However, all that’s offset by the considerably lower price versus the Samsung and Asus alternatives, which are still selling for $1400 to $1500 at the time of this review. It’s a fantastic value option, but it would benefit from some calibration from the factory for better color balance.
Pros:
- Fantastic Colors and Contrast
- Lightning Fast OLED
- 90-Watt USB-C
- Lower MSRP Than Competitors
Cons:
- Poor Default Accuracy
- USB Limited to 2.0
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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