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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher resolution for better detail in productivity tasks or media consumption, the Gigabyte M28U with its 4K display might be worth the extra cost. However, if you're focused on competitive gaming or photo editing where color accuracy is crucial, and you want to save money, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD with its slightly lower resolution but good color performance and faster response times can offer a better balance. It's not as strong for HDR content since its HDR brightness isn't as high as the Gigabyte, but it's a solid choice for most other uses. 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 M28U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Productivity
8.8
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
160 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.7
6.0
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1228:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
495 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$470
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) has a price of $470 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1228:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
495 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
65.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.7
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.7 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
Yes
312 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Gigabyte M28U (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M28U (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 M28U (IPS) 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 Gigabyte M28U (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gigabyte M28U (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$470 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 28" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 8 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1228:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 312 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 495 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99.7 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.7 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 144 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 160 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 0 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 2 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
Gigabyte M28U (IPS)
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Jacob Ridley | January 2022
"Fundamentally the M28U is an impressive 4K monitor; between the resolution, refresh rate, and IPS panel, it's a great all-rounder for the step up to 4K. Even beyond PC gaming, the inclusion of a HDMI 2.1 port offers 120Hz gaming for consoles, so it's quite the multi-faceted package for its price. Gigabyte has made no major sacrifice to tick all the checkboxes with the M28U."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
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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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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.
By the numbers
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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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