If you're a competitive gamer looking for top performance, the Asus monitor offers a higher refresh rate and quicker response time, reducing ghosting for a smoother experience. However, the MSI is more budget-friendly and provides broader color coverage, making it better for digital and print photo editing. Neither are the best for HDR gaming or media consumption, but if high dynamic range is important to you, the Asus delivers higher brightness. For general productivity and casual gaming, the MSI offers good capabilities at a lower cost, while the Asus may not justify its higher price for these uses. Both have similar screen size and resolution, offering sharp images and sufficient workspace. 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
Best in class for competitive gaming
Best in class refresh rate
Good text clarity
Good image clarity
Good brightness
Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Asus PG27AQN (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.7/10
5.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
92.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.5/10
5.8/10
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
5.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5/10
6.0/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity, though the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$949
$270
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) has a price of $949 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Digital Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.0/10
5.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus PG27AQN (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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How the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
"The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQN is a motion clarity marvel. It’s the first 27-inch 1440p 360Hz monitor on the market, and also the first to use an Ultrafast IPS display. These advancements provide outstanding motion clarity across a broad range of refresh rates. Unfortunately, the monitor’s motion clarity does nothing for its image quality, which is just ok. To be clear, it’s a very nice looking monitor in many situations. However, the monitor’s contrast ratio is rather low. And while it can reach high levels of brightness in HDR, it lacks the nuance and contrast required to look great in HDR games."
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.