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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize competitive gaming and are willing to invest in a monitor with a higher refresh rate, the Asus PG27AQN would be an excellent choice due to its superior performance in fast-paced games. However, if budget is a concern and you also need a monitor that is suitable for print photo editing with a wider color gamut, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers good gaming capabilities and excellent color accuracy at a more affordable price point, but with a lower refresh rate that may not be as optimal for the highest level of competitive gaming. Both monitors share the same resolution and size, making them both suitable for general productivity and media consumption, but the Asus excels in gaming performance while the MSI strikes a balance between price and color performance for creative work. 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 brightness
- Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Asus PG27AQN (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.7
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
92.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming, though the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is somewhat better.
Competitive Gaming
9.5
5.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
5.6 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
Yes
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is best in class for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$949
$436
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) has a price of $949 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Productivity
6.5
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
974:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
414 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
644 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Semi-Gloss
COATING
Matte
The Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus PG27AQN (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus PG27AQN (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$949 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 32 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 974:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 414 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 644 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 | 98.5 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.6 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Semi-Gloss | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 3 | 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 PG27AQN (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
IGN
Matthew Smith | March 2023
"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."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
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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."
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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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