MSI 27-inch Optix MAG274QRF-QD
MSI reckons its new 4K gaming monitor is the best all-rounder on the market. Is it?
MSI was so keen to put its new Optix 27-inch MAG274QRF-QD in our hands that it couldn’t actually confirm all the specs before going to press. However, it’s fair to say the company had very high hopes for this monitor and believed it could be one of the best of its type in 2020. That’s a big call, especially with the impressive Samsung Odyssey G7 recently appearing. While similar, hyperbolic claims usually inspire eye-rolling, but it didn’t take us long to realise that MSI might have a point.
Fundamentally, the punchilynamed MAG274QRF-QD is a flat-screened, 27-inch, HDR display with an Ultra HD, 2560 x 1440 resolution and a matte finish. It’s designed for eSports enthusiasts and subsequently supports FreeSync, a 1ms grey-to-grey response time and a 165Hz refresh rate. We were also told, “It’s expected to be G-Sync compatible… but is still going through internal testing and validation.”
The sharp, functional styling is reminiscent of its predecessors, featuring RGB accent lighting at the rear and a slim bezel at the front. However, the stand has a smaller, more-robust footprint (which we approve of). Assembly is simple and intuitive thanks to quick-fit connectors, although you’ll need a screwdriver to securely fix the screen to the stand.
An extensive OSD is operated by a single, rear-mounted joystickbutton although all features can, impressively, be accessed via a Windows Desktop app which makes settings even simpler to find and tune. All of the usual gaming pre-sets are available and allow you to optimse for FPS, racing, RTS games etc. Ultimately, their effect on display performance comes down to personal preference, but their ability to bork graphical loveliness in the name of exposing sneaky opponents hiding in shadows (by fiddling with contrast) is certainly a boon for competitive gamers. There’s also an array of on-screen crosshairs to choose from to cheat assist with aiming. This is particularly useful for Call of Duty Hardcore mode, which has no on-screen crosshair.
Connectivity is impressive thanks to USB Type-C video input, plus HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4 ports. It swivels, pivots and rotates in all the right ways, but we don’t have exact figures for their range.
The “Rapid-IPS” QLED panel is capable of producing bright and vibrant colours with superb viewing angles. It covers
95 percent of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.
We’re not told which HDR variant it supports but the dynamic range is very good with impressive detail evident in highlights and shadows alike. The lack of (expensive) complex, rear-lighting arrays won’t bother gamers as beautifully-lit, environmental objects can prove very distracting when hunting enemies. It can display a perfectly functional office desktop but, as usual, you’ll occasionally need to fiddle with Windows’ silly HDR settings to fix the picture.
It produced buttery-smooth, on-screen motion plus excellent colour and contrast performance (that can be tailored to a high degree) on every type of game we played.
Ultimately, it’s well featured, offers great performance and, at $859, represents great value for a premium gaming monitor. MSI genuinely has a winner here. NICK ROSS
Everything you could want from a gaming monitor and at a reasonable price too.