The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is a very good budget-friendly gaming monitor with a 27 inch screen and 1440p resolution. It has all the features most gamers are looking for, like FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and a native 165Hz refresh rate. Its input lag is really low, but even though it has a quick response time, you may notice some motion blur in fast-moving scenes. Its VA panel has a high native contrast ratio, but it lacks a local dimming feature to improve it. The viewing angles are narrow, and the stand doesn't offer many adjustments, so it's hard to place it in an ideal viewing position if you need to share it with someone else. Lastly, it doesn't support HDR, which is somewhat expected for a model in this price range.
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is decent for mixed usage. It's very good for gaming because it has a high refresh rate with VRR support. Its low input and quick response time deliver a responsive gaming experience, but some motion blur is visible with fast-moving objects. It's decent for office use thanks to its high peak brightness and good reflection handling, but it has terrible ergonomics and narrow viewing angles, making it harder to share the screen with someone else.
- Gets bright enough to combat glare.
- 165Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Stand only allows for limited tilt adjustment.
- Some visible motion blur.
- No HDR support.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is decent for office use. The high-resolution, 27 inch screen provides clear text and crisp images. It has good reflection handling and gets bright enough to combat glare in well-lit rooms. Sadly, it has narrow viewing angles and terrible ergonomics, so it's not the best choice if you need to share your screen with others.
- Large 27 inch screen and high resolution.
- Gets bright enough to combat glare.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Stand only allows for limited tilt adjustment.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is very good for gaming. It has a high 165Hz refresh rate with native FreeSync support to reduce screen tearing. It has low input lag and a quick response time, but some people may still notice motion blur. It's also great for dark room gaming thanks to its high native contrast ratio, but it lacks a local dimming feature.
- Very low input lag.
- 165Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
- High native contrast ratio.
- Stand only allows for limited tilt adjustment.
- Some visible motion blur.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is okay for watching multimedia content. It has a high resolution to deliver crisp images. It performs well both in bright and dark rooms thanks to its high peak brightness and great contrast ratio. However, it has narrow viewing angles, so those viewing from the side see an inaccurate image.
- Large 27 inch screen and high resolution.
- Gets bright enough to combat glare.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Stand only allows for limited tilt adjustment.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 is alright for content creators. It has a large screen and high resolution, so there's enough space to work on your video's timeline. It gets bright enough to combat glare and has good reflection handling if you work in a well-lit room. However, its terrible ergonomics and narrow viewing angles make it hard to share the screen with a coworker or client around you.
- Large 27 inch screen and high resolution.
- Gets bright enough to combat glare.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Stand only allows for limited tilt adjustment.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 doesn't support HDR.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the MSI Optix G27CQ4 in a 27 inch size, and it's also available in a 32 inch size, which we expect to perform similarly. There are other monitors in MSI's G Series lineup, which you can see below.
| Model | Size | Type | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Optix G27C4 | 27" | VA | 1080p | 165Hz | |
| MSI Optix G27CQ4 | 27" | VA | 1440p | 165Hz | |
| MSI Optix G27CQ4P | 27" | VA | 1440p | 165Hz | Height adjustable stand |
| MSI Optix G32CQ4 | 31.5" | VA | 1440p | 165Hz |
If someone comes across a different type of panel, or if their MSI Optix G27CQ4 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 G27CQ4 is a very good budget gaming monitor. It has most features gamers are looking for, like VRR support and a high refresh rate. It also has a great native contrast ratio, but other than that, there's nothing that stands out against its competition. It provides good value for its price, but there are better and cheaper options available, like the Gigabyte G27QC.
Also see our recommendations for the best budget monitors, the best 1440p monitors, and the best gaming monitors.
The MSI Optix G27CG4 and the Samsung Odyssey G50D S27DG50 are both entry-level 1440p gaming monitors. They have different panel types, as the Samsung has an IPS panel with a wider viewing angle, and combined with its superior ergonomics, it's the better choice for sharing your screen with someone else. The Samsung is also the better choice for gaming in well-lit rooms because it gets brighter. However, the MSI is superior for gaming in dark rooms because its VA panel has a higher contrast ratio for deeper blacks.
The Gigabyte G27QC is much better overall than the MSI Optix G27CQ4, even though they each have a VA panel, 165Hz refresh rate, and 1440p resolution. The Gigabyte has a quicker response time, resulting in smoother motion, and its BFI feature flickers at a wider range. The Gigabyte also supports HDR10 and has a USB hub, which the MSI doesn't.
The MSI Optix G27CQ4 and the MSI Optix G27C4 are both very good gaming monitors. They're built nearly the same, and each has a VA panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. The main difference is that the G27CQ4 has a 1440p resolution, while the G27C4 is limited to 1080p. The G27CQ4 is a better choice for well-lit rooms because it gets much brighter. However, the G27C4 delivers much smoother motion thanks to its quick response time.
The BenQ EX2780Q and the MSI Optix G27CQ4 are both very good gaming monitors with different panel types. The BenQ is a 144Hz monitor with an IPS panel with wider viewing angles, and the MSI has a 165Hz refresh rate and a VA panel with higher contrast. The BenQ supports HDR, which the MSI doesn't, and it has quicker response times, so motion looks better.
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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