If you prioritize a colossal screen for an immersive media consumption experience, the Gigabyte CO49DQ with its wider display might appeal to you despite its higher price. However, for a balance of gaming, particularly competitive play, and productivity, the MSI MEG 342C offers a more versatile size, better suitable for a typical desk setup, and comes at a lower cost. Both monitors excel in color depth and contrast, with the MSI having a slight edge in refresh rate for smoother gaming. Ultimately, the Gigabyte shines in media, while the MSI balances cost with performance for gaming and 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 Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED)
Best in class for media consumption
Best in class brightness
Advantages of the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED)
Good refresh rate
Good image clarity
Key differences
Cost
$1,100
$850
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) has a price of $1,100 and the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) costs $850.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
Yes
No
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
9.9/10
9.5/10
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
1000 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
99.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.5 %
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are both best in class for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.5/10
5.1/10
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
0.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
1.4 ms
48 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 175 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
1000 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming.
Productivity
5.8/10
5.7/10
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
108 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
110 PPI
No
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Glossy
The Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are both poor for productivity.
Media Consumption
9.8/10
9.4/10
5120 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
1000 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
236 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
446 nits
Matte
COATING
Glossy
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) to be best in class for media consumption, while the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) is excellent.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) are suitable for print photo editing.
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How the Gigabyte CO49DQ (QD-OLED) and the MSI MEG 342C (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
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.