The MSI G274QPF-QD is a 27-inch, 1440p budget gaming monitor. It's one of many monitors in the budget gaming category, including the Dell G2724D. As part of MSI's extensive G series entry-level gaming monitors, the G274QPF-QD stands out as the only model with a quantum dot layer to improve HDR color performance. The MSI has FreeSync VRR support, G-SYNC compatibility, and a high 170Hz refresh rate. Unlike most monitors in this class, it has a USB-C connection with DisplayPort Alt Mode support, which also provides 15W power delivery. It also has some additional gaming features, like night vision, which optimizes background brightness, and screen assistance, which overlays crosshairs to assist with aiming.
Our Verdict
The MSI G274QPF-QD is alright for PC gaming. It has a 170Hz refresh rate for a smooth feel, supports FreeSync VRR, and is G-SYNC compatible to reduce screen tearing. It has low input lag and a decent response time that remains consistent across its refresh rate range, but there's still motion blur. However, it has low contrast, so deep blacks appear gray in a dark room, and it has limited picture quality as colors aren't vivid, especially in HDR.
- Consistent motion handling across VRR range.
- Low input lag.
- FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility.
- Low contrast.
- Still some motion blur with fast-moving objects.
- Bad black uniformity.
The MSI G274QPF-QD isn't bad for console gaming. It has low input lag for a responsive feel, and it has decent motion handling at 120Hz and 60Hz, but it doesn't eliminate all blur. The biggest downside is that it can't take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S as it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, and it has some compatibility issues with the Xbox, too. It also has limited picture quality, so it can't deliver life-like and vivid images because it has a low contrast ratio and lacks a local dimming feature.
- Consistent motion handling across VRR range.
- Low input lag.
- Low contrast.
- Still some motion blur with fast-moving objects.
- Not fully compatible with PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S.
The MSI G274QPF-QD is good for office work. It gets bright enough to overcome glare and handles reflections well, so it's easy to see in a brighter environment, but its minimum brightness is a bit high if you want to use it in a dark room. Its 27-inch screen is also large enough to open two windows side by side, and it has fantastic ergonomics, so you can set it to your preferred position for a long work session. However, screen elements are sometimes discolored due to an issue with pixel inversion, which could be distracting.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Very good reflection handling.
- Screen elements are sometimes discolored.
- High minimum brightness.
The MSI G274QPF-QD is okay for media creation. Its 27-inch screen is large enough to open two windows side by side, and it has fantastic ergonomics, so you can set it to your preferred position for a long editing session. It also has good accuracy before calibration, but colors are oversaturated, and you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy. Unfortunately, screen elements are sometimes discolored due to an issue with pixel inversion, which could be distracting or interfere with editing.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Good accuracy before calibration.
- Low contrast.
- Screen elements are sometimes discolored.
- High minimum brightness.
- Oversaturated colors in sRGB mode.
The MSI G274QPF-QD has decent brightness. It gets bright enough to fight glare in a well-lit room, but it fails to make highlights stand out in HDR.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The MSI G274QPF-QD has a decent response time. Its motion handling is extremely consistent across its refresh rate range, which is ideal for gaming, but there's still noticeable blur with fast-moving objects.
- Consistent motion handling across VRR range.
- Still some motion blur with fast-moving objects.
The MSI G274QPF-QD is bad for HDR. It has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray, and it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it. While it displays a wide range of colors, they don't look vivid.
- Low contrast.
- Lack of local dimming.
The MSI G274QPF-QD has disappointing SDR picture quality. It has a low native contrast ratio, and blacks look gray. It also has bad black uniformity, as there's backlight bleed in dark scenes.
- Low contrast.
- Bad black uniformity.
The MSI G274QPF-QD has great color accuracy. It has a dedicated sRGB mode, but it oversaturates colors, and you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy.
- Good accuracy before calibration.
- Oversaturated colors in sRGB mode.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Feb 18, 2026:
We added that the LG 27G610A-B is another 1440p option with a higher refresh rate.
- Updated Feb 21, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0.1. This includes a new test result for DisplayPort 2.1 Transmission Bandwidth.
- Updated Oct 04, 2024: Added that the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is an alternative with better motion handling.
- Updated Sep 26, 2024: Added that the Samsung Odyssey G5/G50D S27DG50 has better SDR Brightness.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27-inch MSI G274QPF-QD, which is the only size available for this monitor. This model is also available without a quantum dot layer, although it's a different product, so it doesn't perform the same way, and our results aren't valid for it.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Panel Type | Refresh Rate | Quantum Dot Layer | Firmware Version Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G274QPF-QD | 27" | 1440p | IPS | 170Hz | Yes | No Listed Firmware |
| G274QPF | 27" | 1440p | IPS | 170Hz | No | Not Tested |
You can see the label for this monitor here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI G274QPF-QD is a budget gaming monitor with decent overall performance. It has low input lag for a responsive feel, and it also has a 170Hz refresh rate and VRR support to reduce screen tearing. However, it has low contrast and bad black uniformity, so deep blacks look gray and cloudy in a dark room. While it has consistent motion handling across its VRR range, there's still blur. If you're looking for a monitor with better motion handling, check out the Dell G2724D instead.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best budget and cheap monitors, the best 1440p gaming monitors, and the best 27-inch gaming monitors.
The MSI G274QPF-QD and the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B are 27-inch gaming monitors, though the LG is the better monitor in most cases. The LG gets brighter, so it's better at overcoming glare, and it has a faster response time, so fast-moving objects look crisper. The LG also has a wider viewing angle, so the screen looks brighter to someone sitting next to you during co-op gaming.
The Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 2.0) and the MSI G274QPF-QD are 27-inch gaming monitors. Both have very similar performance. The Gigabyte is the better choice for local co-op gaming, as it has a wider viewing angle. However, if you're gaming at a 60Hz refresh rate, the MSI is the better choice, as it has far better motion handling at 60Hz, so fast-moving objects look substantially crisper.
The MSI G274QPF-QD and the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS are both budget-friendly 1440p gaming monitors. They perform similarly, but the ASUS has an advantage when it comes to gaming thanks to its superior motion handling and better compatibility with consoles. Although the MSI displays a wider range of colors in HDR, the ASUS has better accuracy before calibration in SDR, making it the better choice for editing.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the MSI G274QPF-QD are very similar 27-inch gaming monitors. However, the MAG274QRF-QD is the better monitor for most people, as it has better black uniformity, so deep blacks appear less cloudy in a dark room, and it also has more vibrant HDR colors. Additionally, the MAG274QRF-QD has a faster response time, so fast-moving images look sharper.
We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.
Test Results
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