If you prioritize high resolution for tasks like digital photo editing and detailed productivity work, the Asus with its higher resolution might serve you well despite costing more. With better text quality and image clarity, it's also suitable for print photo editing. However, for someone more interested in gaming, especially competitive gaming, the MSI with a higher refresh rate and faster response time delivers smoother gameplay, and is the more budget-friendly option, although with lower resolution which might not be as sharp for productivity tasks or high-resolution media consumption. Neither is ideal for HDR gaming and media consumption, but both can adequately cover a range of uses. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Asus PA279CV (IPS)
Good for productivity
Very good text clarity
Very good image clarity
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
Good refresh rate
Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9/10
5.8/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
17.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
48 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Asus PA279CV (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9/10
6.0/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.6/10
5.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$399
$270
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) has a price of $399 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8/10
5.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
80.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and Asus PA279CV (IPS) are both poor for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
"Asus’ ProArt PA279CV is a sensible choice for content creators who want a color accurate 4K monitor but don’t want to clean out their savings account. It edges out alternatives like the BenQ PD2720U and Dell S2722QC in brightness and contrast without giving up ground on connectivity or menu options."
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec monitors team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest monitor information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the monitor team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Monitors Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.