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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
The Asus PA279CV offers higher screen resolution which is great for sharp images and detailed work, making it better suited for digital photo editing due to its wide color gamut coverage. It would work well for productivity but doesn't excel in gaming due to its lower refresh rates and slower response time. The MSI MAG274QRF-QD, on the other hand, is typically less expensive, has a lower resolution but offers higher refresh rates and faster response times, which is advantageous for gaming, particularly competitive scenarios. However, neither are ideal for HDR gaming or media consumption. Consider the Asus if your focus is on professional image work and productivity, and the MSI if your priority is gaming performance and you're on a tighter budget. 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.9
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
17.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
48 - 60 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Asus PA279CV (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
7.9
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
163 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.6
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$399
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) has a price of $399 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Asus PA279CV (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
920:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
376 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
436 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
80.6 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the Asus PA279CV (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PA279CV (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PA279CV (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 920:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 376 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 436 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.3 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 17 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 60 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 163 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Asus PA279CV (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | April 2022
"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."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Christian Eberle | April 2021
"The MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD has the largest color gamut we’ve ever seen and near-perfect out-of-box accuracy. sRGB content will be oversaturated though, and HDR doesn’t do anything for image quality."
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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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.
By the numbers
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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.
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