The MSI Optix G27C5 is a basic, budget-friendly gaming monitor. It has a VA panel that displays deep blacks, but that comes at the cost of narrow viewing angles, so images look washed out when looking from the side. It has native FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and it works with NVIDIA graphics cards. The input lag is incredibly low, and though it has a good response time there are some motion artifacts in dark scenes. It has a max refresh rate of 165Hz, which you can get through a DisplayPort connection. It only comes with an HDMI cable, and you can get a maximum of 144Hz refresh rate with it. It has bad ergonomics, so it might be hard to place in an ideal position, but it can be VESA-mounted. Lastly, it gets bright enough to combat glare in a moderately-lit room, but reflections may be too distracting if it's opposite a window.
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix G27C5 is an okay overall monitor. It performs best as a gaming monitor because it has an incredibly low input lag, FreeSync VRR support, and good response time. It's alright to use in an office, but its 1080p resolution, narrow viewing angles, and bad ergonomics might not be for everyone. However, it has good reflection handling and decent brightness, so it's a good choice for a fairly well-lit environment. Lastly, it has excellent gradient handling and great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing.
- Displays deep blacks.
- Incredibly low input lag.
- Good reflection handling.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Bad ergonomics.
- Black uniformity issues.
The MSI Optix G27C5 is alright for office use. The 27 inch screen allows you to open multiple windows at once, but the 1080p resolution may be too limiting for some. It gets bright enough to combat glare in moderately-lit rooms, but it struggles with direct sunlight. Unfortunately, this monitor has narrow viewing angles and bad ergonomics.
- Incredibly low input lag.
- Good reflection handling.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Bad ergonomics.
The MSI Optix G27C5 is good for gaming thanks in part to its incredibly low input lag and native FreeSync support. Its response time at its max refresh rate of 165Hz is good, but there's smearing in dark scenes. Sadly, it has bad ergonomics, so it's hard to place in an ideal viewing position. On the upside, it's a great choice for dark-room gaming because it can display deep blacks.
- Displays deep blacks.
- FreeSync support.
- Incredibly low input lag.
- Good reflection handling.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Bad ergonomics.
- Black uniformity issues.
The MSI Optix G27C5 is alright for watching content. It has a large, 27 inch screen, but its 1080p resolution is too low for watching the latest 4k videos online. It has good reflection handling and decent brightness, but it's not a good choice if you have direct sunlight on it. Fortunately, it has a great contrast ratio, so blacks appear as they should when viewed in the dark.
- Displays deep blacks.
- Good reflection handling.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Bad ergonomics.
The MSI Optix G27C5 is okay for media creation. Its 1080p resolution isn't ideal if you need to create content at a high resolution. It also has narrow viewing angles, so the image isn't accurate when viewing from the side. Luckily, it has excellent gradient handling, great coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, and good reflection handling if you work in a somewhat bright environment.
- Displays deep blacks.
- Good reflection handling.
- Great coverage of Adobe RGB color space.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Bad ergonomics.
- Black uniformity issues.
The MSI Optix G27C5 doesn't support HDR.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27 inch MSI Optix G27C5, which is the only size available for this monitor.
If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their G27C5 doesn't correspond to our review, please let us know and we'll update the review. Note that some tests such as gray uniformity may vary between units.
The unit we reviewed was manufactured in April 2020, and you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix G27C5 is a simple gaming monitor that won't cost you much. It has all the features most gamers are looking for, such as FreeSync support, a 165Hz refresh rate, and low input lag. However, it's not very versatile for other uses because it has narrow viewing angles, and there are better options in this price range, such as the LG 27GL650F-B. Also see our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best 1080p monitors, and the best monitors under $500.
The MSI Optix G27C5 is better overall than the Samsung T55. The MSI has a 165Hz refresh rate, it has a much quicker response time, and its input lag is lower. It also has better color accuracy and it has a better contrast ratio. However, the Samsung gets a bit brighter and it displays a wider color gamut.
The MSI Optix MAG273R is much better than the MSI Optix G27C5. The MAG273R has an IPS panel, so it has much wider viewing angles. It also has better ergonomics, it supports HDR, and it has a quicker response time at its max refresh rate. However, the VA panel on the G27C5 displays deeper blacks, it has better color accuracy, and its response time at 60Hz is better.
The LG 27GL650F-B is much better than the MSI Optix G27C5, but they have different panel types. The LG has an IPS panel, providing wide viewing angles. It also gets much brighter, supports HDR, has a much quicker response time, and better ergonomics. However, the MSI has a VA panel with a much better contrast ratio, higher refresh rate, and lower input lag.
The ASUS TUF VG27VQ and the MSI Optix G27C5 are two similar monitors with a 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, and a curved screen. The ASUS has much better ergonomics, it's better-built, it gets brighter, and it has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy. On the other hand, the MSI displays a wider color gamut, it has a much quicker response time, and has a slightly lower input lag.
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.
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