The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a 1440p gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate. As a part of the MSI MAG monitor lineup, it sits alongside the MSI Optix MG274QRF, which is a similar monitor but doesn't have a quantum dot layer like this monitor. It has features you'd expect to find in a gaming monitor, like G-SYNC compatibility and RGB backlighting, and it has a Console Mode that downscales 4k signals from consoles. It also has a USB hub that includes two USB-A ports and a USB-C slot for you to connect your devices.
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is decent for PC gaming. It has a 165Hz refresh rate with native FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. It has low input lag for a responsive feel and a fast enough response time for sharp motion, but there's more inverse ghosting at lower refresh rates. Unfortunately, it has limited picture quality as blacks look gray, and it fails to make highlights stand out in HDR.
- 165Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- Extremely low input lag.
- Low contrast ratio.
- More blur at 60Hz.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD 27 is okay for console gaming. Although it lacks HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, there aren't any compatibility issues with either console. It has low input lag for a responsive feel, and it has a fast response time at 120Hz, but there's more blur at 60Hz. Sadly, it's a poor choice for playing HDR games as it has a low contrast ratio, and it lacks a local dimming feature to further improve it.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- Extremely low input lag.
- Low contrast ratio.
- More blur at 60Hz.
- Can't take full advantage of consoles.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is good for office use. It has a large, high-resolution screen that delivers clear text. The ergonomics are fantastic, and it has wide viewing angles, making it easy to share your screen with someone else. It also gets bright enough to combat glare and has decent reflection handling in well-lit rooms.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Colors are oversaturated.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is decent for content creators. It displays a wide range of colors, but they look oversaturated, and you need to get it calibrated for the best accuracy. It also has limited picture quality in HDR with a low contrast ratio and brightness. On the plus side, it has wide viewing angles and great ergonomics, allowing you to easily share your screen with a client or coworker.
- Wide viewing angles.
- Fantastic ergonomics.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Colors are oversaturated.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD has decent brightness. It gets bright enough to fight glare in most well-lit rooms, but highlights don't pop in HDR.
- Bright enough to fight glare.
- Highlights don't pop in HDR.
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD has a good response time. Motion looks best at high refresh rates, but there's more inverse ghosting and blur at lower refresh rates.
- Fast response time at high refresh rates.
- More blur at 60Hz.
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD has limited HDR picture quality. With low contrast and no local dimming feature, blacks look gray in the dark, and most colors don't look vivid either.
- Low contrast ratio.
- No local dimming.
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD has decent SDR picture quality. Its main advantage is that it displays a wide range of colors, but it has a low contrast ratio making blacks look gray in dark rooms.
- Displays wide range of colors.
- Low contrast ratio.
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD has good color accuracy, but you need to calibrate it for the best accuracy, as there are issues before calibration.
- Good gray uniformity.
- Colors are oversaturated.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- 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 May 21, 2024: Updated text throughout the review according to Test Bench 2.0, mainly in the Verdict and Motion sections.
- Updated May 16, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0. This includes new tests for VRR Motion Performance, Refresh Rate Compliance, Cumulative Absolute Deviation (CAD), and VRR Flicker. You can read the full changelog here.
- Updated Apr 18, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works on this monitor with the PS5.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the 27-inch MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD 27, which is only available in this size. The MSI Optix MAG274QRF is also available, which has many of the same features, but doesn't have a quantum dot layer like the MAG274QRF-QD, so it performs differently. The results of this review are only valid for the MAG274QRF-QD.
| Model | Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Quantum Dot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAG274QRF-QD | 27" | 1440p | 165Hz | Yes |
| MAG274QRF | 27" | 1440p | 165Hz | No |
Our unit was manufactured in October 2020, and you can see our label here.
Popular Monitor Comparisons
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a decent PC gaming monitor that has features you'd expect to find in a gaming monitor, like VRR support, low input lag, and a fast response time. Its quantum dot layer is unique for a monitor in this price range, but it also oversaturates colors. While it's a good choice for its price range, there's nothing that really stands out versus the competition, and you can get better value for gaming with a monitor like the Dell G2724D.
Also, see our recommendations for the best 1440p monitors, the best monitors for PS5/PS5 Pro, and the best gaming monitors.
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.
The LG 27GR83Q-B and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are both low-cost 1440p gaming monitors, but there are some differences. The main difference is that the LG has a higher 240Hz refresh rate and better motion handling. The LG also supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth to take full advantage of modern graphics cards and gaming consoles. While the LG is the better choice in well-lit rooms, the MSI has a few extra office-use features, like better ergonomics and a KVM switch.
Overall, the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD performs better than the ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQL1A. The MSI has a much faster response time to deliver a clearer image in fast-moving scenes. It has a much wider color gamut for HDR due to its quantum dot layer; however, it doesn't get as bright as the ASUS to bring out highlights in HDR content. The MSI has more USB ports, including a USB-C that supports DisplayPort and 15W charging.
The Dell Alienware AW2723DF is slightly better for gaming than the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD. The main difference is that the Dell has a much higher 280Hz max refresh rate compared to 165Hz on the MSI, allowing you to play games at a higher frame rate. On the other hand, the MSI is better if you game in a bright room because it has much better reflection handling.
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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