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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-resolution gaming or need a 4K monitor for detailed work and are willing to spend more, the Asus VG28UQL1A would be a solid choice. It's better suited for tasks requiring sharper images and has a larger screen. However, if you're more into competitive gaming and want quicker response times with vibrant colors and don't need 4K resolution, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD may be a smarter buy, especially if you're looking to save money. The MSI also offers a higher refresh rate and is great for general productivity and casual gaming. Both have good color accuracy for general use, but neither is ideal for professional photo editing or high-end HDR video 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 VG28UQL1A (IPS)
- Good for casual gaming
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Casual Gaming
7.2
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
90.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for casual gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
8.8
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
157 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
350 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$611
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) has a price of $611 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
6.1
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
48 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) to be only fair for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$611 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 28" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1000:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 350 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 | 82 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 1 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 144 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 9.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 157 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 | 1 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 1 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Asus VG28UQL1A (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PC World
Matthew Smith | March 2022
"The Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A is, in many ways, a great 4K gaming monitor. It has a sharp, accurate image with good contrast and excellent motion clarity. Luminance uniformity is its only weakness. The monitor’s $799 MSRP is relatively affordable for a 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor, as well."
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
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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.
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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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