If you prioritize competitive gaming and are willing to invest more, the Gigabyte M27Q-X with its higher refresh rate and better response time will provide a smoother experience. However, for general use, including casual gaming, productivity and media consumption, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD offers good performance and color accuracy for photo editing at a lower price point. Both monitors have similar screen size and resolution, but the Gigabyte might not offer the same value if you're not focused on high-refresh-rate gaming. 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 brightness
Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS).
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
8.0/10
5.8/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
6.8 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
Yes
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is very good for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$370
$565
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) has a price of $370 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $565.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.5/10
6.1/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
508 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
73.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Productivity
6.5/10
6.2/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for productivity.
Media Consumption
6.1/10
6.0/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1088:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
459 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
508 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M27Q-X (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-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 MAG274QRF-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 MAG274QRF-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."
"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."
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
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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.