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.
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165Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
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Fast response time at high refresh rates.
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Extremely low input lag.
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Low contrast ratio.
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More blur at 60Hz.
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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.
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Fast response time at high refresh rates.
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Extremely low input lag.
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Low contrast ratio.
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More blur at 60Hz.
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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.
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Wide viewing angles.
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Fantastic ergonomics.
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Bright enough to fight glare.
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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.
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Wide viewing angles.
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Fantastic ergonomics.
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Bright enough to fight glare.
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Colors are oversaturated.
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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.
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Bright enough to fight glare.
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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.
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Fast response time at high refresh rates.
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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.
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Low contrast ratio.
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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.
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Displays wide range of colors.
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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.
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Good gray uniformity.
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Colors are oversaturated.
- 7.2 PC Gaming
- 6.6 Console Gaming
- 7.7 Office
- 7.2 Editing
Performance Usages
- 7.2 Brightness
- 7.6 Response Time
- 5.4 HDR Picture
- 7.2 SDR Picture
- 7.7 Color Accuracy
- 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.
- Updated May 02, 2022: We tested the monitor with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's not compatible, since the PS5 only supports HDMI Forum VRR.
- Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.
- Updated Nov 18, 2021: Updated the monitor to the latest firmware, and retested the accuracy out of the box with the new sRGB mode.
- Updated Feb 10, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Feb 05, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Feb 02, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jan 28, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jan 17, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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.
Compared To Other Monitors
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 MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the LG 27GP850-B/27GP83B-B are similar 1440p, 27-inch monitors, but there are a few differences. The MSI has a few extra features for office use, like an ergonomic stand and a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. However, the colors look oversaturated, and the color accuracy is much better on the LG. The LG is also slightly better for gaming because it supports DP 1.4 bandwidth, allowing you to reach a higher refresh rate, and the motion handling is a bit better with lower frame rate signals.
The Gigabyte M27Q X is a bit better than the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD. The Gigabyte has a higher native refresh rate, resulting in slightly clearer motion overall. The Gigabyte is also more accurate out of the box and has better connectivity, with a high-bandwidth USB-C and a built-in keyboard, video, and mouse switch.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte M27Q (rev. 1.0) are two decent gaming monitors with a 1440p resolution. They each have fast response time, low input lag, FreeSync support, and G-SYNC compatibility. The MSI has much better ergonomics, making it easy to place the screen how you like. However, the Gigabyte has much better out-of-the-box accuracy, so colors don't look oversaturated like they do on the MSI. It also has Picture-by-Picture/Picture-in-Picture modes, allowing you to display images from two sources at once.
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 ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQ performs very similarly to the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD. As far as gaming goes, you can't really go wrong with either one. The MSI has a slightly faster response time at the max refresh rate, while the ASUS has a slightly faster response time at 60Hz and a marginally higher refresh rate, but really, these are minor differences. While the MSI has a wider color gamut thanks to its use of quantum dot technology, in practice, colors can look oversaturated. The ASUS has a couple of other things that may make it preferable to some. It has wider viewing angles, so the image stays accurate from the sides, and it has much better out-of-the-box color accuracy, so you may not need to calibrate it to get the most out of your monitor. All in all, though, these are both excellent gaming monitors.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is better than the Gigabyte G27Q for most uses. The MSI has a slightly higher refresh rate and faster response time to deliver smoother motion. It also has better ergonomics because it allows for swivel and pivot adjustments, and its USB hub includes a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort and 15W charging. It has a wider color gamut than the Gigabyte but doesn't get as bright to bring out highlights in HDR content.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the ASUS TUF VG27AQ are two gaming monitors; they each have a 1440p resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. Motion looks smoother on the MSI thanks to its quick response time, especially at 60Hz. However, the ASUS has a BFI feature that works at a wider refresh rate range than the MSI, and it can also be used when VRR is enabled, which the MSI can't do.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte M27Q P are both great gaming monitors. They have similar specs with a 1440p resolution and 27-inch screen size, and they each have a 165Hz native refresh rate, but you can overclock the Gigabyte to 170Hz. In terms of its gaming performance, the MSI has a faster response time at its max refresh rate, but the motion handling is the same between the two at lower refresh rates. The MSI also has a lower input lag at 60Hz. The Gigabyte has a few extra features, like a KVM switch, that make it useful for productivity, but the MSI has better ergonomics.
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.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a bit better for most uses than the LG 27GN850-B/27GN880-B, but they have many of the same features. They both have outstanding response time and low input lag for gaming, but the MSI has a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate. It also has a BFI feature, but it only works within a narrow range. However, the LG has better out-of-the-box accuracy, and colors don't look as over-saturated as the MSI, so you may not need to get it calibrated to enjoy it to the fullest.
The Acer Nitro XV272U KVbmiiprzx and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are very similar gaming-wise. The main differences are that the MSI has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode and a better color gamut in HDR.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a better gaming monitor than the LG 27GL850-B/27GL83A-B. They have similar features with a 1440p resolution, FreeSync support, G-SYNC compatibility, and a very quick response time. The MSI has a black frame insertion feature, which the LG doesn't, but it has a narrow flicker range and can't be used with VRR enabled. The MSI also has much better ergonomics, including a swivel adjustment, which the LG doesn't have.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Samsung Odyssey G5 S27AG50 are both good gaming monitors. They both have a 165Hz refresh rate, native FreeSync VRR support, a 1440p resolution, and fantastic motion handling. There are a few differences in picture quality, though; the MSI displays a wider color gamut in HDR and SDR, but that's because it over-saturates the colors, meaning some people may prefer the Samsung. The Samsung also gets brighter and has better reflection handling, so it's a better choice for well-lit rooms. On the other hand, the MSI has a better selection of inputs, such as a USB-C input and two USB inputs that you can connect your keyboard and mouse to.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Dell S2721DGF are both great monitors with similar gaming features. They're both 1440p monitors with a 165Hz refresh rate and outstanding response time. The MSI has a BFI feature, which the Dell doesn't, but it only works within a narrow frequency range. The MSI also has a USB-C input, which supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. On the other hand, the Dell is a better choice if you want to use it in a well-lit room because it has much better reflection handling. It also has a local dimming feature, but it performs terribly.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Acer Predator XB273U GXbmiipruzx are similar monitors, but the Acer has more to recommend. They both have exceptional color gamuts, but the MSI lacks an sRGB setting, so colors appear oversaturated. The Acer also has a higher refresh rate, gets brighter in SDR and HDR, and has better accuracy out of the box.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 S28AG70 and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are different types of monitors. The Samsung is a 4k monitor with HDMI 2.1 inputs, so it's a better choice for console gaming, while the MSI has a 1440p resolution and a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate. Motion handling is fantastic on both, but the MSI has a slightly faster response time at 60Hz. The MSI has a few more office features like better ergonomics and a USB-C input, but the Samsung delivers clearer text thanks to its higher resolution. The MSI is also a better choice for use in well-lit rooms because it gets brighter.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 C32G75T and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are both gaming monitors that are different in a few ways. The Samsung uses a VA panel and is available in a 27-inch or 32-inch size, while the MSI uses an IPS panel and is only available in a 27-inch. If you want better dark room performance, go with the Samsung because it can produce much deeper blacks. It has a higher refresh rate as well. The MSI isn't as good for dark rooms due to its IPS panel's mediocre contrast, but it provides wider viewing angles and has USB-C input.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte M32Q offer very similar performance overall. The biggest difference between them is in their design. If you prefer a larger screen, go with the Gigabyte, but if ergonomics are more important to you and you don't plan on VESA mounting the monitor, the MSI might be the better choice.
The Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are very similar overall. The MSI performs better because it has a faster response time. The Gigabyte has a Picture-in-Picture mode, but on the other hand, the MSI has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is a much better monitor than the MSI Optix G273. The MAG274QRF-QD delivers a much smoother gaming experience with a faster response time, resulting in less motion blur behind fast-moving objects. The MAG274QRF-QD also has better compatibility with consoles, as it can display a 1440p or downscaled 4k signal, so your favorite games look sharper and more detailed. Finally, the MAG274QRF-QD supports HDR, whereas the G273 is limited to SDR.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Gigabyte AORUS FI27Q-X are both excellent gaming monitors. They each have an IPS panel with a 1440p resolution, but the main difference is that the Gigabyte has a 240Hz refresh rate and the MSI has 165Hz. They have quick response times, native FreeSync support, and low input lag for gaming. The MSI uses a traditional RGB subpixel layout, whereas the Gigabyte uses BGR, which not all programs may use and could result in blurry text. However, we don't expect this to be an issue for most people.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is better for most uses than the MSI Optix G273QF, but they have similar gaming performance. They both have an incredible response time, very low input lag, and a 165Hz refresh rate for gaming. The MAG274QRF-QD has much better ergonomics, allowing you to easily adjust the screen. It also supports HDR10, which the G273QF doesn't, and it has many more features, such as a Console Mode that's designed for PS5 compatibility.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the MSI Optix MAG161V are very different monitors that target different uses, so they're not really directly comparable. The MAG161V is a portable monitor with a 16-inch 1080p screen, designed for productivity on the go. The MAG274QRF-QD is a desktop gaming monitor with a 27-inch 1440p screen and delivers a much better experience overall, but it's not portable.
The ASUS ROG Strix XG17AHPE and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are very different monitors, each with strengths and weaknesses. The ASUS is designed for portability, so it has a smaller screen, much worse ergonomics, and slightly worse viewing angles. The MSI is more feature-rich, as it supports HDR and has an optional black frame insertion feature.
The ASUS ProArt PA148CTV and the MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD are very different products with different intended uses, so the results aren't really comparable. The MSI is a desktop fixed gaming monitor with a high refresh rate and advanced gaming features, while the ASUS is a simple portable monitor designed for extra productivity on the go.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the Razer Raptor 27 165Hz are great 1440p monitors with a 165Hz resolution. The MSI displays a wider color gamut in SDR and HDR, but that's because it over-saturates colors. The MSI also has a much quicker response time at 60Hz, delivering smoother motion for console gamers, and has better ergonomics. The Razer has better reflection handling and gets slightly brighter, so it's a better choice for well-lit rooms. Even though the MSI has Adaptive Sync technology and the Razer has native FreeSync, both FreeSync and G-SYNC VRR work on either monitor.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD and the ViewSonic VG1655 are two different monitors. The MSI is a standard monitor with a 1440p resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. It has more gaming features than the ViewSonic, like VRR support, a very quick response time, and low input lag. Since it's a regular desktop monitor, it also has a stand with much better ergonomics. The ViewSonic is a portable monitor with a 1080p resolution, but it has much better text clarity with its smaller screen.
Test Results
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD is stylish with a square-based stand that doesn't take up too much space. The back has a sleek-looking design that won't stick out in an office environment, and it has RGB lighting.
The build quality is great. It's made out of solid plastic, and there aren't any obvious gaps in the construction. The monitor feels stable on the stand, and there's minimal wobble.
The ergonomics are fantastic. The monitor offers all kinds of adjustments, so you can easily place it in an ideal position. The back panel is a mix of matte and glossy plastic, and there's a strip of RGB lighting above the glossy plastic. Lastly, there's a cutout in the stand for cable management.
The stand supports the monitor well, and there isn't much wobble.
A joystick is on the back right side so you can control the on-screen menu. There's a function button on the left side that you can assign a macro to through the OSD.
- DisplayPort cable
- HDMI cable
- USB-B upstream cable
- Power supply and cable
- VESA screw extenders
- User manuals
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD 27 has a mediocre contrast ratio. This means blacks look gray in dark rooms, and there's no local dimming feature to improve it.
This monitor has no local dimming feature. We still film these videos on the monitor so you can compare the backlight performance with a monitor that has local dimming.
This monitor has great SDR brightness. It gets bright enough to combat glare, and it maintains its brightness extremely consistent across different content. These measurements are from after calibration in the 'User' Picture Mode. The minimum brightness is a bit high, so it's not ideal if you plan on using it in a completely dark room and are sensitive to light.
The HDR brightness is alright, but small highlights don't pop against the rest of the image. It doesn't track the EOTF very well either, as most scenes are brighter than intended, but because it has a sharp cut-off at the peak brightness, it lets highlights get the brightest they could. These measurements are with the HDR setting enabled; there's no brightness setting when it's enabled.
This monitor has a good horizontal viewing angle. The colors remain consistent from wide angles, so it's good for sharing your screen with others around you.
The vertical viewing angle is okay. You may notice some color washout if you place the monitor above eye level, but the image remains consistent for the most part.
The gray uniformity is great. The edges of the screen are noticeably darker, but there's minimal dirty screen effect in the center.
The black uniformity is alright. The entire screen looks gray due to the low contrast ratio, and there's backlight bleed along the top and bottom edges.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD 27 has decent accuracy before calibration in the sRGB mode. However, there are still inaccurate colors, as the white balance is way off, and the color temperature is cold, giving the image a blue tint. Gamma doesn't follow the sRGB target curve at all, as dark scenes are a bit too dark, and bright scenes are too bright. If you want a similar monitor with better accuracy before calibration, check out the Gigabyte M27Q X instead.
Unlike most monitors, using the sRGB mode doesn't lock down most picture settings. However, changing any picture setting while in the sRGB stops the monitor from effectively clamping the color gamut to the sRGB color space, resulting in an oversaturated image, for which you can see the results here.
The accuracy after calibration is fantastic. It fixes most issues with the white balance, color temperature, and color accuracy.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has an exceptional SDR color gamut. It has perfect coverage of both the commonly used sRGB color space and the Adobe RGB color space used in photo editing. However, most colors appear oversaturated in Adobe RGB because it covers more than the required color space.
The HDR color gamut is fantastic. It has outstanding coverage of the DCI-P3 color space used in most HDR content. It also has great coverage of the wider Rec. 2020 color space.
The HDR color volume is good. While it displays a wide range of colors, it fails to make most of them look very vivid, and it also struggles with really dark colors.
The text clarity is good. Using ClearType On (top photo) improves the appearance of diagonal lines, as seen on the letters R, N, G, and S.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has decent reflection handling. It performs well with a bit of light on it, but the reflections may become too distracting if there are strong light sources directly on it.
The gradient handling is exceptional. There's almost no visible banding in real content.
Due to bandwidth limitations, you can only achieve the monitor's max refresh rate with an 8-bit signal over DisplayPort. However, if you want a 1440p gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate, check out the Acer Predator XB273U GXbmiipruzx instead.
| NVIDIA | VRR Min | VRR Max |
| DisplayPort | <20Hz | 165Hz |
| HDMI | N/A | N/A |
| AMD | VRR Min | VRR Max |
| DisplayPort | <20Hz | 165Hz |
| HDMI | <20Hz | 144Hz |
| Refresh Rate | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
| 164 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| 144 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| 120 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| 100 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| 80 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| 60 | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
This monitor has good motion handling across its VRR range without too much blur. The 'Fast' Response Time overdrive setting has the lowest CAD at any refresh rate, but it introduces inverse ghosting at lower refresh rates. If that bothers you, the 'Normal' setting is more consistent, but there's more blur, especially at high refresh rates. The 'Fastest' overdrive has such a high CAD that it passes the limits of the charts. You can see an alternative chart here.
The refresh rate compliance is good. While its response time isn't fast enough to make full color transitions before the monitor draws the next frame at the max refresh rate, it's better at lower refresh rates.
| Overdrive Mode | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
| Normal | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fast | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fastest | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The CAD at the max refresh rate of 165Hz is good. There's a bit of blur, but it isn't too distracting. The 'Fast' overdrive setting has the fastest total response time out of the overdrive settings and less overshoot than 'Fastest.'
| Overdrive Mode | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
| Normal | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fast | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fastest | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The CAD at 120Hz is good. The recommended overdrive setting of 'Fast' has more inverse ghosting than at its max refresh rate, but it's hardly noticeable, and using the 'Normal' setting instead results in more blur.
| Overdrive Mode | CAD Heatmap | RT Chart | Pursuit Photo |
| Normal | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fast | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
| Fastest | Heatmap | Chart | Photo |
The CAD at 60Hz is decent. There's noticeable blur, and unlike at higher refresh rates, the recommended overdrive setting is 'Normal' because 'Fast' has noticeable inverse ghosting. This means you may have to change the setting if you change games.
This monitor doesn't have any noticeable VRR flicker with changing frame rates, which is excellent for gaming.
This monitor has a flicker-free backlight, which helps reduce eye strain during long gaming sessions.
This monitor has low input lag for a responsive feel while gaming.
This monitor supports most formats from the PS5, but due to the lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, it can't accept a 4k @ 120Hz signal. Even though the native resolution of this monitor is 1440p, it still accepts a 4k signal and downscales the image. It results in a more detailed image than if you were to send a native 1440p signal.
This monitor supports almost everything from the Xbox Series X|S, but since its HDMI ports don't support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, it doesn't support 4k @ 120Hz gaming. Even though this monitor's native resolution is 1440p, it still accepts a 4k signal and downscales the image. This is useful as the console only supports HDR signals in 4k.
The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD 27 has a USB-B input that you can use as an upstream port when connected to your PC. It also has a USB-C input that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, allowing you to display an image from a compatible device. Although it is advertised to support a maximum of 15W of power delivery, in practice, it can only deliver 5W.
This monitor works perfectly with macOS. HDR and VRR both work perfectly, and there are no issues with sleep mode.
There are a ton of extra features on this monitor, which you can see below:
- Crosshair: Adds a crosshair on the screen for FPS games.
- Frame Rate Counter: Displays the current frame rate.
- Blue Light Reduction: Removes blue light to help reduce eye strain.
- Gaming OSD 2.0: This downloadable software gives more options than just the regular OSD. You can control your peripherals, manage your windows, and assign a function to the macro button on the bottom left side of the monitor. You can also control the RGB lighting through this software. You have to connect the monitor to your computer via USB-B for these features to work.
- Console Mode: This feature is designed to downscale 4k content to 1440p on consoles.
