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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 12, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your top priority, the BenQ XL2566K might be the better choice with its superior refresh rates for smoother gameplay and lower response time, reducing ghosting and blur in fast-paced games. However, it's at a higher price point and limited to 1080p resolution which might not be as crisp for productivity or media consumption. The MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers better color accuracy and higher resolution, making it more suited to productivity tasks, digital photo editing, and media consumption. Its gaming performance is also good, though not as optimized for high-level competitive play as the BenQ. If you're looking for versatility at a lower price, the MSI could be the way to go. 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 BenQ XL2566K (TN)
- Excellent for competitive gaming
- Best in class refresh rate
- Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good text clarity
- Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
9.2
5.8
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
Yes
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
6.2
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.1
6.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.9
6.1
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
N/A
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 BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) 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 BenQ XL2566K (TN) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 165Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 96.5 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 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 | 91 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 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
BenQ XL2566K (TN)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tech Radar
Nick Ross | August 2023
"It’s not for everyone in the same way that a top fuel dragster isn’t everyone’s perfect daily driver. The BenQ Zowie XL2566K succeeds in delivering the fastest, sharpest and smoothest display for pro FPS players and that’s all it wanted to do. Its other limitations and premium price tag mean it’s a bespoke tool for a niche market, rather than another general gaming monitor for those who like playing games."
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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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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