The MSI Optix G27C6 is a good entry-level gaming monitor. It has a few gamer-oriented features like FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, which you can achieve over a DisplayPort connection, but the monitor only comes with an HDMI cable, and you're limited to 144Hz over HDMI. Input lag is very low, but sadly, motion looks blurry, and there's noticeable smearing due to its slow response time. It has a VA panel with a high contrast ratio that displays deep blacks. Unfortunately, it's not very well-rounded for other uses because it has a lower 1080p resolution, terrible ergonomics, narrow viewing angles, and it doesn't support HDR. It's also not well-built as we had trouble properly attaching the feet to the stand, but this could be a problem with our unit alone.
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix G27C6 is okay overall. It's designed for gaming and offers good performance in that regard. It has a 165Hz refresh rate with VRR support and low input lag. Sadly, the response time is slow, and motion looks blurry. It's just okay for office use or content creators because it has a less-than-ideal 1080p resolution, and since it has low pixel density, text doesn't look very sharp. It also has terrible ergonomics, so it may be hard to place it in an ideal viewing position.
- Good peak brightness.
- 165Hz refresh rate with VRR support.
- Excellent native contrast ratio.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Slow response time results in blurry motion.
- Only comes with HDMI cable and limited to 144Hz over HDMI.
The MSI Optix G27C6 is okay for office use. It has a large 27 inch screen, so you can open windows side-by-side, but with its low resolution, text looks a bit blurry. It gets bright enough to combat glare in most settings, but it's best to avoid using it in a bright room. Sadly, it's not the best choice for sharing your screen with others because it has narrow viewing angles and terrible ergonomics.
- Large 27 inch screen.
- Good peak brightness.
- Decent reflection handling.
- Text and images aren't sharp due to lower 1080p resolution.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Narrow viewing angles.
The MSI Optix G27C6 is good for gaming. It has features most gamers want, like a 165Hz max refresh rate, FreeSync support, and G-SYNC compatibility. Input lag is really low, but the response time is slow, resulting in blurry motion. It's a good choice for dark room gaming thanks to its high contrast ratio, but there's no local dimming feature to improve it.
- 165Hz refresh rate with VRR support.
- Very low input lag.
- Excellent native contrast ratio.
- Slow response time results in blurry motion.
- Only comes with HDMI cable and limited to 144Hz over HDMI.
The MSI Optix G27C6 is okay for watching multimedia content. The 27 inch screen helps deliver an immersive viewing experience. Its 1080p resolution may be too low for some, but it's good enough for watching some shows or movies. It has an excellent native contrast ratio to deliver deep blacks. Sadly, it has narrow viewing angles, so we don't suggest it for watching content with a few friends.
- Large 27 inch screen.
- Excellent native contrast ratio.
- Decent reflection handling.
- Text and images aren't sharp due to lower 1080p resolution.
- Terrible ergonomics.
- Narrow viewing angles.
The MSI Optix G27C6 is alright for content creators. It has a low resolution, so images don't look crisp and detailed, but the 27 inch screen allows you to open a few windows side-by-side. Unfortunately, it has narrow viewing angles, and the stand only offers tilt adjustments, so it's hard to share the screen with a coworker or client.
- Large 27 inch screen.
- Excellent native contrast ratio.
- Text and images aren't sharp due to lower 1080p resolution.
- Terrible ergonomics.
The MSI Optix G27C6 doesn't support HDR.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the MSI Optix G27C6 in a 27 inch size, which is the only size available for this model. There's an MSI Optix G24C6, but it has a lower 144Hz refresh rate. There are other monitors in MSI's G Series lineup, and you can see the differences between them below.
| Model | Size | Type | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Inputs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Optix G24C6 | 24" | VA | 1080p | 144Hz | 2x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
|
| MSI Optix G27C4 | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | 2x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
|
| MSI Optix G27C5 | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | 2x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
|
| MSI Optix G27C6 | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz |
2x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
|
| MSI Optix G27C6P | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | 2x HDMI 1.4 1x DisplayPort 1.2 |
Height adjustable stand |
| MSI Optix G27C7 | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DisplayPort 1.4 |
If someone comes across a different type of panel, or if their MSI Optix G27C6 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we'll update the review. Note that some tests, like the gray uniformity, may vary between individual units.
Our unit was manufactured in December 2020, and you can see the label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix G27C6 is a good gaming monitor, but despite its low price, there are other budget-friendly options that you can get with better performance, like the Acer Nitro XF243Y Pbmiiprx. Compared to the MSI Optix G27C5, it has a slower response time that makes motion look blurry, so it's not worth the upgrade.
Also see our recommendations for the best gaming monitors, the best 1080p monitors, and the best budget monitors.
The Samsung Odyssey G3 F27G35T and the MSI Optix G27C6 are both good budget-friendly gaming monitors. They each have a VA panel with a 1080p resolution, but the MSI has a higher 165Hz refresh rate than the 144Hz on the Samsung. They're very similar in performance; they have native FreeSync support, G-SYNC compatibility, and low input lag, but their response times are slow. The Samsung is a bit more versatile for other uses because it has much better ergonomics, but the MSI gets brighter if you want to use it in a well-lit room.
The MSI Optix G27C6 is a better gaming monitor than the Samsung T55, mainly because the MSI has a higher 165Hz refresh rate compared to the Samsung's 75Hz. They each have a slow response time for gaming, so motion looks blurry. Also, each monitor has a 1080p resolution, and while the MSI is only available in a 27 inch size, the Samsung is available in 24, 27, and 32 inches, so you can get the one you prefer.
The MSI Optix MAG273R is better overall than the MSI Optix G27C6, but they have different panel types. The MAG273R has an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, while the G27C6 is better for dark room gaming because its VA panel has a higher contrast ratio. Even though the G27C6 has a higher 165Hz refresh rate compared to 144Hz, the MAG273R has quicker response times for better motion handling. It also supports HDR, which the G27C6 doesn't, but it doesn't add much because it doesn't get bright enough to make highlights pop.
The MSI Optix G27C6 and the MSI Optix G27C5 are similar monitors with a 1080p resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and a VA panel. There's little difference between each, but the G27C5 has a much quicker response time, resulting in smoother motion. They're built similarly, but our unit of the G27C6 has wobbly feet, although this could be an issue with our unit alone.
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
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for videos & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
