If budget isn't a constraint and you're aiming for a larger screen size with OLED technology, the MSI monitor excels in competitive gaming with high refresh rates. However, for most users, the Philips offers excellent performance in HDR gaming and media consumption with exceptional color accuracy, making it a better value for those who prioritize these features and wish to save money without sacrificing quality. Both are well-suited for productivity and digital photo editing, but if the very best image clarity is your priority and cost is less of a concern, you might lean towards the MSI. If value and well-rounded performance are more important, the Philips is likely the wiser choice. 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 MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED)
Very good refresh rate
Advantages of the Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED)
Best in class for media consumption
Good image clarity
Best in class brightness
Best in class color volume
Key differences
Productivity
2.7/10
5.9/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
PIXELS PER INCH
109 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are both poor for productivity, though the Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) is somewhat better.
Media Consumption
5.4/10
9.8/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
275 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) is best in class for media consumption, while the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is poor.
Cost
$1,700
$800
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) has a price of $1,700 and the Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) costs $800.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
Yes
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) is not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading while the Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) is suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
9.5/10
9.9/10
3440 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 1440
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
Inf:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
Inf:1
275 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
Unknown
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
Unknown
98.5 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
99.3 %
Matte
COATING
Matte
The Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) and MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) are both best in class for casual gaming.
Competitive Gaming
5.9/10
5.8/10
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
175Hz
0.0 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
0.1 ms
48 - 240 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48 - 175 Hz
No
STROBING / BFI
No
275 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1000 nits
The MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) are both poor for competitive gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
Yes
Yes
Both the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) are suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) are suitable for digital photo editing.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) are suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI 45GS96QB (W-OLED) and the Phillips 34M2C8600 (QD-OLED) compare to other monitors
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
210
Monitors evaluated
10,500
Monitors stats compiled
15
Proprietary Monitors ratings developed
117,500
Recommendations made
17,625
Consumer hours saved
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.