MSI Optix MAG27CQ 144Hz FreeSync Monitor Review

Peter Donnell / 6 years ago

Final Thoughts

Pricing

Unfortunately, we could not find stock or retail pricing at the time of writing. However, we expect this to change very soon, so please check with your favourite retailers for up to date information.

Overview

The gaming monitor market is stronger than it has ever been right now. There are seemingly countless options to choose from, but few can hold a candle of the latest from MSI. Is it the ultimate gaming monitor? Not really, but it’s got all the right boxes to compete with the best of the best in this category. I can’t fault the design or the performance, and if the price is right, it’s going to be a huge hit with consumers.

Panel

Straight away, MSI’s latest monitor has all the right features to put a big smile on my face. With a 2560 x 1440P panel, it delivers a big enough pixel count to make your games look crisp, and also provide some serious screen real estate for a productivity boost. Add to that the stunning colour reproduction and consistent black levels, the fast response time, and FreeSync and you’re onto a winner. However, it’s the 144 Hz refresh rate that really stands out the most, and if you’re a competitive gamer, or just like silky smooth gameplay, it’s the biggest selling point of this monitor.

Design and Build Quality

Again, MSI has scored perfectly in both regards. The aesthetics are on point, and perfectly in tune with what you would expect a gaming monitor to look like. The durable stand has a small footprint but feels very stable. The easily adjustable stand ensure you get the best view and the curved panel helps fill your vision, while also helping multi-monitor setups to look more seamless.

Should I Buy One

If you’re looking to upgrade your 60 Hz 1080P monitor, the MSI MAG27CQ is another planet in terms of differences. Having a boost in resolution, refresh rate, and general features, are sure to spark a whole new world of life into your desktop gaming and work experience. For those looking to give their eSports gaming a boost, that high refresh rate is going to help give you the edge too. Of course, all this doesn’t come cheap, but since there are few 4K monitors that can match the panel performance, without spending an absolute fortune, this is the perfect middle ground for almost any PC gamer.