Gaming monitors have come a long way from just sporting TN panels with FHD resolutions to proper IPS displays that are also viable for content creation on the side. While 165 Hz QHD monitors have been available on the market for quite some time now, it is only recently that we have started seeing 240 Hz refresh rates coming to 1440p displays.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRX comes across as an extremely capable QHD 240 Hz monitor that is perfectly suitable for both competitive gaming and professional work.
The build quality is sturdy and without any creaks despite being primarily made of plastic. The provision of a multi-use stand that can do tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment is a nice bonus. You can attach any VESA-compatible mount you prefer as well. The joystick is quite responsive, but the placement of the macro shortcut key and the power button could have been in a more prominent place.
All the expected ports for a monitor in this price segment are present, but the HDMI port is still based on the 2.0 standard which limits the maximum refresh rate to 144 Hz.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRX is a QHD 240 Hz eSports monitor with excellent performance that will please both gamers and content creators alike. The Optix MAG274QRX offers little room for complaint and comes at a price that significantly undercuts some big names in this segment.”
The monitor’s OSD is quite feature-rich, and MSI also provides the option of controlling the settings and updating the firmware via the Gaming Intelligence app. The usual gamer-centric features such as scopes, crosshairs, and black equalizer settings are available. Quality-of-life features such as a KVM switch, PIP/PBP modes, low blue light toggle, snap layouts, and quick access presets are present as well.
Gaming monitors tend to prioritize faster refresh rates over actual image quality, but the Optix MAG274QRX offers superior display characteristics. The panel has excellent sRGB and Adobe RGB coverage along with very good Display P3 numbers as well. Color accuracy is not ideal by default, but our calibration routine should offer much improved colors if you plan to use this display for professional work.
Response times are good for a gaming monitor, although it is not OLED-level. It is possible to further reduce response times, but that comes at the expense of overshoot and ghosting. Enabling MPRT Sync can reduce the ghosting effects to a large extent, but it also reduces display brightness significantly.
Power consumption is fairly economical as long as you don’t use the panel at 100% brightness. HDR support is present, but you should be looking at this monitor primarily for its SDR performance.
The major competitor to this monitor is the Gigabyte M27Q X, which also offers a similar feature set at possibly lower prices. Still, the MSI Optix MAG274QRX’s offers a lot for the money compared to more premium QHD options such as the Acer Predator XB273U GX, Alienware AW2721D, Samsung Odyssey G7, and the Asus ROG Swift PG279QM.
Just be sure to hook it up to a powerful PC.
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