MSI

MSI Optix MAG271CQR Gaming Monitor. (Credit: MSI)
Optix MAG271CQR Gaming Monitor Review: Vivid and Versatile
When narrowing your gaming monitor prospects, speed is usually the top priority. But with screens with 144 Hz refresh rates becoming increasingly common, that list can become crowded with confusing choices.
Though the MSI Optix MAG271CQR has a couple of image accuracy issues, its superior gaming performance, speed and rich, saturated color outweigh those flaws. It provides a fantastic experience and an excellent price/performance ratio.
The next logical thing to consider is image quality. Color accuracy is certainly important, but the key to everything is contrast. That’s why we’ve long touted VA panels over IPS and TN ones. Short of a high-end display with a full-array local-dimming backlight, there is no greater dynamic range than that found in most VA monitors available today. By far, VA offers the most bang for the buck when it comes to contrast and color saturation.

The MSI Optix MAG271CQR ($400 / ~ £350)  answers the call for speed and contrast with a VA panel and 144 Hz. It’s a 27-inch panel with QHD resolution, 1800R curvature, plus AMD FreeSync, as well as the ability to run Nvidia G-Sync unofficially. It even checks the styling box with RGB lighting across the back.

Unpacking and Accessories
Unpacking the ample carton reveals a lightweight screen that tips the scales at a little over 12 pounds. The panel, upright and base must be assembled, but that can be done without tools. After hooking the panel on the upright’s mounting plate, two thumbscrews secure it in place. The base attaches with a captive bolt. The cable compliment includes USB 2.0, HDMI, DisplayPort and an IEC cord for the internal power supply. Despite its light weight, the MAG271CQR is solidly built with little flex in any of the hardware. The base is slender and cast from solid aluminum with a matte black finish, and the upright has a brushed texture molded into its plastic cover. Surrounding the screen are narrow bezels around its top and sides and a wider plastic strip at the bottom. An anti-glare layer provides excellent picture quality in all indoor environments without any obvious grain or distortion. Though the curve radius is a tight 1800mm, the image is free from any barrel distortion, where lines curve inward, or pincushion effects, where straight lines curve outward. Wraparound is subtle, but you will feel a tad more immersed than with a flat screen of the same size.
Around back is a slick RGB lighting strip sweeping across at a stylish angle. You can turn it on or off in the on-screen display (OSD), but for further effects, you’ll have to download MSI’s Mystic Light app, which operates from either a PC or a smartphone. The lighting syncs with compatible hardware, like, gaming keyboards, mice and headphones. Speaking of headphones, you can hang them on a cool hook that pops out from the left side of the bezel.
For ergonomics there’s a 5.1-inch height adjustment and 20-degree back tilt with 5-degree forward. Oddly, there is no swivel available; you have to slide the base to turn the screen.
Video inputs comprise two HDMI 2.0 ports, plus a single DisplayPort 1.3. You’ll need to use the latter for G-Sync, but FreeSync works through all inputs. For audio, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack but no built-in speakers. USB 2.0 comes in the form of one upstream and two downstream ports. Gaming & Hands-on
To see if the MAG271CQR’s 1800R curvature introduced any image distortion with small text, we opened Microsoft Word and Google Chrome. We didn’t see any issues. In fact, the curve was barely noticeable. Some may wonder if there’s any advantage to a curved monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio. We found that for productivity it made no difference, but for gaming and video, there was a subtle wraparound effect that enhanced the experience. Of course, an ultra-wide makes more of the curved technology.
In Call of Duty: WWII,  the pumped-up red primary and excellent contrast had a positive effect. We were immediately struck by the bold reds and ruddy flesh-tones of the characters. Breaking through enemy lines on a sunny day is a very colorful experience, accentuated by instant control response and super-smooth, blur-free video processing. With FreeSync on, our PC running an AMD Radeon R9 285 graphics card enjoyed frame rates around the 60 fps mark, with detail set one notch below the max. Action was artifact-free with no tearing or hesitation. Obviously, higher refresh rates will provide smoother motion and faster response, but the game was perfectly playable on our legacy PC.
We also played the same title with G-Sync and a 1080 Ti FE. With overdrive set to its middle option (Fast), we saw no blur and no ghosting. Judder was also non-existent as frame rates hovered between 100 and 110 fps without tears. It’s hard to imagine a better gaming experience.
Equally mesmerizing was Tomb Raider, which maintained speeds of 130-140 fps at the highest detail level with G-Sync. QHD monitors can keep the refresh rate high even without  a premium graphics card, a real advantage over 4K gaming monitors. Again, we were impressed by Tomb Raider’s color. Reds were vivid without being overblown. Shadow detail was strong with deep blacks and contrast only a VA screen can provide. The only way to top this is with a zone dimming display, which would cost at least five times more than the MAG271CQR. Christian Eberle