If competitive gaming is a priority and you're willing to pay more, the LG 32GQ850 offers a larger screen and a very high refresh rate, which will provide a smoother gaming experience. However, for a balance of gaming, productivity, and media consumption at a more accessible price, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD has a smaller screen but still maintains good color accuracy and a decent refresh rate, useful for both gaming and photo editing. Neither is ideal for HDR gaming and media, so if HDR is crucial, you may want to consider other options. The better choice depends on whether you value high-end gaming performance over cost and versatility. 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 LG 32GQ850 (IPS)
Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
Good text clarity
Good image clarity
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.2/10
5.8/10
260Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
8.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
9.1 ms
48 - 260 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
20 - 165 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
Yes
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and LG 32GQ850 (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
5.0/10
6.2/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
93 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair for productivity, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Media Consumption
5.3/10
6.0/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair for media consumption, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$718
$436
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) has a price of $718 and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) costs $436.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
No
The LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is suitable for digital photo editing while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is not suitable for digital photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
5.8/10
6.1/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
260Hz
REFRESH RATE
165Hz
1000:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1195:1
150 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
372 nits
600 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
390 nits
98.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
96.7 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the LG 32GQ850 (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 LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the LG 32GQ850 (IPS) and the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
"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
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.