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The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a larger screen and 4K resolution for detailed visuals in productivity and media consumption, the Gigabyte M32U with its 32-inch display could be the better option despite its higher cost. However, if you prefer a monitor that's better suited for both casual and competitive gaming with faster response times and prioritize print photo editing due to its wide color gamut, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD may be a more cost-effective choice, even with its smaller screen size and lower resolution. Both monitors offer adjustable stands and good image clarity, but your specific needs in gaming performance, color accuracy, and budget should guide your decision. 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 M32U (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
4.5
5.8
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
7.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
20 - 144 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
Yes
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and Gigabyte M32U (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.0
6.2
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
140 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (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
1125:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
456 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the Gigabyte M32U (IPS) is somewhat better.
Cost
$650
$436
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) has a price of $650 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.2
6.1
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1125:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
350 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
456 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
87.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Gigabyte M32U (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the Gigabyte M32U (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 M32U (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 M32U (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gigabyte M32U (IPS) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$650 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 32" | 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 | 16 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1125:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 350 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 456 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 | 99.8 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 7.1 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 | 7.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 140 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 M32U (IPS)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Matthew Murray | June 2022
"The Gigabyte M32U gaming monitor is almost a slam-dunk choice, considering everything you get as part of the package. Gigabyte goes for broke with things like its built-in KVM switch and GameAssist, and those come close to paying off. Add in the well-executed, more familiar offerings, and this is a monitor that deserves serious thought if you’re in the market for what it delivers."
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
See more
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."
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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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