MSI Gaming Monitor

Your number one buyer's guide to MSI Gaming Monitors

Table of Contents Table of Contents

Have you been thinking about upgrading your PC setup lately, but aren’t sure where to start? Picking up a new monitor might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can go a long way in refreshing your gaming experience without breaking the bank.

If it’s been a while since the last time you picked up a new monitor, you may have found a couple of things have changed leaving you unsure what to look for. Don’t worry! Today, we’re going to look at some of the best gaming monitors out there, where to find them, and what to look for in your search.

There are many great manufacturers out there who create great gaming monitors. You have the likes of Samsung, LG, BenQ, ASUS, and MSI who all sell monitors that would be a perfect fit on anybody’s desk. This time, we’re going to narrow down our list to just MSI gaming monitors to keep things simple.

Why Buy An MSI Gaming Monitor?

One of the main reasons why people go for a known brand such as MSI is that there is a certain level of trust that comes with buying from an established company. They sell thousands of products a day, often have a large variety of choices and great customer service to answer any questions you may have.

MSI has been around for over 30 years and they don’t just sell gaming monitors. You’ll also find their branding on graphics cards, motherboards, laptops, and even keyboards and mice.

Their gaming monitors are particularly impressive, though, and they can really help make your games shine. Whether you are looking for a curved display, high refresh rates or even something to play your games in 4K, MSI has a monitor for you.

Where Can You Buy An MSI Gaming Monitor?

To get an idea of the different types of products MSI has available, it’s well worth checking out their official website for more details. You can refine your search by size, resolution, refresh rate, response time, adaptive sync, and even curvature. There is also a monitor to suit each type of budget so don’t worry too much if you don’t have a wad of cash to burn.

If you want to broaden your search, tech websites such as Overclockers, Novatech, Scan, and Ebuyer all have great options available to look at. While they might not have the same level of stock as the official MSI website, you can sometimes pick up some pretty good deals here.

Another great site to look at is Amazon. An obvious choice, but here you’ll be able to compare a wide range of products and even check out verified customer reviews before you decide to purchase. As always, we’d recommend reading as much as you can about a monitor before purchasing.

Which MSI Gaming Monitor Is Best For You?

MSI Optix MPG341CQR

Tech Specs

• Size – 34″
• Panel – VA
• Resolution – 3440 x 1440
• Refresh Rate – 120 Hz
• Response Time – 1 ms

Curved monitors are all the rage these days and we’re starting to see them get larger and larger. We don’t often see many 34 inch monitors on our lists these days, but the MSI Optix MPG341CQR is more than just a gimmick.

One of the main things you’ll want to consider before buying this monitor is whether or not you have the room for it. 34 inches may not seem too large on paper, but once it’s sitting less than a meter away from you, you’re going to notice the size.

This does make it the perfect companion for media consumption though. The large size, great color reproduction, and high resolution make this a great monitor for when you simply want to kick back and relax with a movie or Netflix binge.

This isn’t just a monitor for media though, the large resolution, low response time, and high refresh rate make this the ideal monitor for those who want to play a lot of fast-paced games. You won’t have any problems with ghosting on this monitor and the high refresh rate will allow you to reach higher frame rates than you may be used to.

There is also a cradle for your webcam on this monitor as well as a mouse bungee to help you avoid any snagging cables – hardly essential, but welcome extras all the same.

MSI Optix MAG272CQR

Tech Specs

• Size – 27”
• Panel – VA
• Resolution – 2560 x 1440
• Refresh Rate – 165 Hz
• Response Time – 1 ms

If you’re looking for a higher refresh rate for your games, the MSI Optix MAG272CQR goes all the way up to 165 Hz at 1440p which is perfect for those who spend a lot of time playing FPS titles. This is also paired with an incredibly low response time of only 1 ms which is something we’ll cover in a bit more detail later on – put simply, it’s something you definitely want in a gaming monitor.

This is a well-built monitor with a sturdy, adjustable base that allows you to find the perfect position for gaming. The curve on this monitor also goes a long way to increase the level of immersion you’ll get when playing games. The 1500R curve isn’t overkill and adds a nice bit of subtlety to the design.

If you plan on using this monitor for more than gaming, you’ll find that the 27-inch HDR-ready display will show off all your favorite movies nicely. There is also an element of RGB on this monitor which isn’t something we’ve seen a lot of. You can customize this as a soft ambient light that can also match any other MSI Mystic Light compatible devices you may own.

MSI Optix MAG271CR

Tech Specs

• Size – 27”
• Panel – VA
• Resolution – 1920 x 1080
• Refresh Rate – 144 Hz
• Response Time – 1 ms

If you are looking for a budget-friendly curved gaming monitor from MSI, this is a great option. This monitor shares a lot of similarities to the MSI Optix MAG272CQR above but at a cheaper price. As a result, you will get a lower resolution and refresh rate, but both are still great specs that will be more than enough for most people.

One of the first things to mention here is that the display and color reproduction is fantastic which makes any gaming or movie-watching a great experience. Viewing angles are also an impressive 178 degrees.

The main downside is that the resolution is only 1080p which can make things look a tiny bit grainy as the pixel density is affected. However, if that’s something you can live with, the monitor excels in pretty much every other way.

This monitor has a great 27 inch VA panel and an almost bezel-less design which looks sleek and stylish. With a brushed aluminum styling, this monitor will look amazing on any desk or gaming setup. There’s a bit of RGB lighting at the back of the monitor which can be customized easily. So, if you’re after something a bit flashy yet understated, this monitor is a great choice in terms of design.

MSI Optix MAG321CURV

Tech Specs

• Size – 32”
• Panel – VA
• Resolution – 3840 x 2160
• Refresh Rate – 60 Hz
• Response Time – 4 ms

While it’s not the biggest monitor on this list, it’s still an impressive size, featuring a slightly curved screen for great immersion. The VA panel and 4K resolution are the main things here that will appeal to buyers.

However, some users note that the colors can look a little washed out at times. There’s also an issue with brightness which means the HDR functionality is a bit of a letdown.

As far as 60 Hz, 4K gaming monitors go, this is one of the fastest on the market. However, the low refresh rate could put some buyers off. It will be fine for casual gamers or console gamers but if that’s not you, you might want to look elsewhere. For the price, this is quite a shame because you’ll still be forking out around $500 for this monitor.

This monitor has great build quality and design with a metallic frame and a three-sided borderless design. With customizable RGB lighting around the back of the monitor, this adds a nice touch of ambiance.

Other than that, this is a good monitor that has multiple uses. Whether you want the 4K movie-watching experience, to use it for creative work or gaming, this monitor is a solid choice if you’re looking for a good 4K curved gaming monitor.

Things to Consider

Price Range

One of the things at the forefront of any buyer’s mind is the price range that they are going to be looking at. We won’t lie to you, gaming monitors can get very expensive, very quickly. If you’re looking for large 4K HDR monitors, you’re going to end up spending close to TV prices.

That’s not to say that there aren’t some great bargains out there though. If you’re simply looking for a secondary monitor, or don’t feel the need to push your resolution any higher than 1080p, you can find great deals.

Generally, the more features you want on your monitor, the more the price will start to rise. Features such as lower response times increased resolutions, and high refresh rates will make your games look stunning – at a cost.

Having a set budget in mind before you head out shopping is a great way to find a monitor that you’ll be happy with in the long run, without overspending.

Size And Screen Resolution

We’ve briefly mentioned screen resolution in our price range section as one of the things that can drive up the price of a monitor. This is due to the fact that the higher your screen resolution is, the more detail you’ll be able to view on the screen. Common gaming monitor resolutions include 1080p, 1440p, and 2160p, also known as 4K. Just note that if you intend to run a higher resolution, you’ll need to make sure your system can output graphics at that level first. If not, don’t waste money on a monitor that your PC won’t take full advantage of.

Another thing to consider is the physical size of your monitor. As you’ll be sitting so close to it, you won’t need a 50-inch monitor to get the best detail. Most monitors measure in at around 27-inches these days, although some of the premium options can come in at 32-inches and beyond. If you know you’ll be watching a few films on your PC, it might be worth grabbing a larger monitor so you can lay back and relax.

Refresh Rates

The refresh rate of a monitor can often make more of a difference than most people would think. Referring to the number of times a monitor can refresh the image on screen, a higher refresh rate results in a much smoother image when playing games. This is something that professional FPS and esports gamers hold in high regard, in games where accuracy and speed are key, any tiny advantage is welcome.

Response Times

This can sometimes be confused with refresh rates but refers to something slightly different. Simply put, the response time is the rate at which a monitor can switch from one color to another. The lower the response time, the cleaner and sharper the image can look, if the response time is higher however, you can often experience motion blur and ghosting in your games.

For gaming monitors, you should be looking to get at least 5 ms at the very minimum, with 1 ms being the ideal scenario.

Type Of Panel

The type of panel your monitor has is another thing that can have a massive impact on your experience. The three main panel types at the moment are TN, IPS, and VA panels. Each of these has its own set of pros and cons and depending on what you need, you’ll want to check this out.

TN Panels

These panels are typically found in lower-cost monitors but still perform well. You’ll be able to achieve high refresh rates and low response times when gaming. One of the main downsides of TN panels is image quality. This usually isn’t as sharp as other panels and the viewing angles also aren’t the greatest.

IPS Panels

These panels are similar to TN panels but offer a wider viewing angle and great color coverage. This does come at a higher price however and you may struggle to find these if you’re shopping on a low budget.

VA Panels

These are a bit of a mixture of the two previous panels and serve to offer the best of both worlds. You can get VA panels with low response rates but sometimes you can encounter ghosting on cheaper monitors. These panels also offer great viewing angles which is why you’ll often see them more on curved monitors.

Adaptive Sync Technology

If you want your games to look as good as possible, you’re also going to want to pick up a monitor with some type of Adaptive-Sync Technology. This is a great feature to have and will make sure all of your games are stutter and tear-free.

Having Adaptive-Sync technology on a monitor doesn’t drive the price up too much either so it’s definitely something you want to look for. There are two main types of Adaptive Sync on the market at the moment, Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync. These both work in slightly different ways but the end results are the same – a great experience.

Typically, these generally only work when paired with a graphics card from the same brand but recently some FreeSync monitors are becoming compatible with Nvidia’s graphics cards which is great news.

Our Verdict

This is by no means a full list of the best MSI gaming monitors out there. While these are some of our favorites, there are plenty of others that could have easily made the list. Now that you know what to look for, be sure to take the time to shop around and find the monitor that has the features you need at a price you can afford.

We hope that we’ve given you some ideas on where to look and helped to clear up a bit of the technical terms that can sometimes plague these product pages. If you have any more questions on gaming monitors, feel free to drop us a comment below. If you want to start a discussion with some of your fellow readers, our Community Hub is a great place to get started, we hope to see you there.