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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize high-resolution image clarity for tasks like digital photo editing, the LG UltraFine could be worth the investment as it offers exceptional text quality and detail with its 5K resolution. However, for a more budget-conscious option or if you're more focused on gaming, the MSI offers a higher refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, which means smoother gameplay. The LG isn't well-suited for competitive gaming due to its slower response time and lack of certain gaming features. The MSI lacks the superior color accuracy of the LG, so it's not ideal for professional photo editing but is still competent for general productivity and media consumption. 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 UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS)
- Very good for productivity
- Good for media consumption
- Best in class text clarity
- Best in class image clarity
- Good brightness
Advantages of the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
- Good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.0
5.8
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
14.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
8.0 ms
N/A
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 170 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
The MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) and LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
8.7
6.0
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
218 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
108 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is very good for productivity, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
7.0
5.9
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
1200:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Glossy
COATING
Matte
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is good for media consumption, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
Cost
$1,179
$270
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) has a price of $1,179 and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) costs $270.
Print Photo Editing
No
Yes
The LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) is not suitable for print photo editing while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is suitable for print photo editing.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.0
5.9
5120 x 2880
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1440
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
170Hz
1200:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
500 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
300 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
99.0 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
95.0 %
Glossy
COATING
Matte
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) to be only fair for casual gaming, while the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) is poor.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) and the MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL (IPS) | MSI G274QPF-QD (IPS) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,179 | $270 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 27" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 5120 x 2880 | 2560 x 1440 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 170Hz | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1200:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 500 nits | 300 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | Unknown | Unknown | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 100 % | 154 % | |
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 14 ms | 8 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | N/A | 48 - 170 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | No | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 218 PPI | 108 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Glossy | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 10/10 | 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 | 0 | 0 | |
Micro HDMI Ports | |||
Micro HDMI Ports | 0 | 0 | |
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | |||
DisplayPort 1.2 Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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