If you're serious about competitive gaming and can invest more, the Gigabyte M27Q-X with its higher refresh rate and better response performance is a solid choice. However, if your budget is tight and you need a monitor that's good for both casual gaming and productivity with decent color accuracy for tasks like digital photo editing, consider the MSI G274QPF-QD. The Gigabyte's advantage in gaming performance comes with a higher price tag, while the MSI offers good value for diverse use without excelling in any particular area. 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 M27Q-X (IPS)
Very good for competitive gaming
Very good refresh rate
Good text clarity
Good image clarity
Good brightness
Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
6.5/10
5.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
508 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
73.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is only fair for casual gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Competitive Gaming
8.0/10
5.8/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
6.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Productivity
6.5/10
6.0/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity, though the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$365
$270
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) has a price of $365 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Key similarities
Media Consumption
6.1/10
5.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
508 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) to be only fair for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
"The company delivers again with the Gigabyte M27Q X, a 1440p monitor that comes equipped with just about everything you want and need from a gaming monitor. It may not be a 4K panel, but it more than makes up for its lower resolution in performance, bringing a whopping 240Hz refresh rate and a host of unusual features, including an onboard KVM and plenty of ports. It's a great performer, though low brightness levels and a so-so contrast ratio keep it short of top marks."
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.