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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If competitive gaming is your priority and you're looking to save money, the BenQ XL2566K with its high refresh rate and fast response time will serve you well, although it falls short in color performance and resolution. However, if you're seeking an immersive experience with vibrant colors for HDR gaming, media consumption, and print photo editing, and you don't mind spending more, the MSI MEG 342C offers superior image clarity, color depth, and a wider screen. Keep in mind though, it's not optimized for competitive gaming like the BenQ model. 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
Advantages of the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Excellent for media consumption
- Good image clarity
- Best in class contrast
- Best in class color volume
- Best in class response time
Key differences
Casual Gaming
5.9
9.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
N/A
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.5 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
9.2
5.1
360Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
5.2 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.4 ms
20 - 360 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 175 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is excellent for competitive gaming, while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is poor.
Productivity
4.8
5.7
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
91 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) and BenQ XL2566K (TN) are both poor for productivity, though the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.1
9.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
1131:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
303 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
N/A
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is excellent for media consumption, while the BenQ XL2566K (TN) is poor.
Cost
$599
$850
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) has a price of $599 and the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) costs $850.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The BenQ XL2566K (TN) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the BenQ XL2566K (TN) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) 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 MEG 342C (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| BenQ XL2566K (TN) | MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$599 | $850 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 25" | 34" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3440 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | OLED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | TN | QD-OLED | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 360Hz | 175Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1131:1 | Inf:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 303 nits | 236 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | N/A | 446 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | Yes | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 96.5 % | 98.9 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 5.2 ms | 1.4 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 360 Hz | 20 - 175 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 91 PPI | 110 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Glossy | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 6.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
BenQ XL2566K (TN)
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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."
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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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