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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high contrast and strong HDR performance for gaming and media consumption are important to you and you don't mind spending more, the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is the better choice. However, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is more affordable and while it offers lower contrast and less impressive HDR, it's still a solid option, particularly for tasks like digital photo editing where color accuracy is key. Keep in mind that for competitive gaming, both have good refresh rates, but the MSI may offer better motion handling with its response time advantage. 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 KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED)
- Best in class for casual gaming
- Good for productivity
- Very good for media consumption
- Excellent contrast
- Good brightness
- Very good color volume
- Very good response time
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) has no clear advantages over the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED).
Key differences
Casual Gaming
9.5
6.1
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
4000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
1200 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
93.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is best in class for casual gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Productivity
7.1
6.2
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
8.6
6.0
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
4000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
1200 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is very good for media consumption, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Cost
$500
$436
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) has a price of $500 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
No
The KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) is suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Key similarities
Competitive Gaming
6.1
5.8
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
3.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
48 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) to be only fair for competitive gaming, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED) | MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $436 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | MiniLED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | VA | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | 576 | N/A | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 4000:1 | 1195:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 500 nits | 372 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 1200 nits | 390 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | Yes | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 99 % | 96.8 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 3 ms | 9.1 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 48 - 165 Hz | 20 - 165 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | Yes | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 8.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 109 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
PORTS & CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
HDMI 1.4 Ports | |||
HDMI 1.4 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
HDMI 2.0 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.0 Ports | 2 | 2 | |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | |||
HDMI 2.1 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 1 | |
Shopping
KTC M27T20 (VA MiniLED)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Notebook Check
Allen Ngo | March 2024
"The KTC M27T20 brings mini-LED and HDR1000 features to much more affordable price levels than before. It cuts some corners, however, and the settings require a lot of tuning for optimal colors and black levels."
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."
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.
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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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