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What we think
The PerfectRec monitor team Learn more
Updated April 22, 2024·
If you're looking for a monitor mainly for casual gaming and price is a significant consideration, the MSI MAG274QRF-QD would be a good choice. However, if you're willing to invest in higher quality visuals for tasks like HDR video editing and media consumption, and can stretch your budget, the ViewSonic XG321UG offers better performance in these areas, including a higher resolution and better HDR peak brightness. The MSI model could be more suitable for competitive gaming due to its higher refresh rate, while the ViewSonic’s larger screen and higher resolution are advantageous for productivity and immersive media experiences. 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 MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
- Good refresh rate
Advantages of the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED)
- Good for productivity
- Good brightness
- Very good response time
Key differences
Competitive Gaming
5.8
4.6
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
9.1 ms
TOTAL RESPONSE TIME
3.6 ms
20 - 165 Hz
VARIABLE REFRESH RATE
48,144 Hz
Yes
STROBING / BFI
No
372 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are both poor for competitive gaming, though the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is somewhat better.
Productivity
6.2
7.9
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
109 PPI
PIXELS PER INCH
137 PPI
Yes
ADJUSTABLE STAND
Yes
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is good for productivity, while the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) is only fair.
Media Consumption
6.0
6.7
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
1195:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
372 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
390 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for media consumption, though the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) is somewhat better.
Cost
$436
$2,300
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
The MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) has a price of $436 and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) costs $2,300.
Key similarities
Casual Gaming
6.1
6.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
3440 x 2160
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
1195:1
NATIVE CONTRAST
1000:1
372 nits
SDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
400 nits
390 nits
HDR PEAK BRIGHTNESS
1400 nits
96.7 %
DCI-P3 COLOR GAMUT
Matte
COATING
Matte
The ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) and MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) are both only fair for casual gaming.
HDR Gaming and Media Consumption
No
No
Both the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR gaming and media consumption.
Digital Photo Editing
No
No
Both the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for digital photo editing.
HDR Video Editing and Color Grading
No
No
Both the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are not suitable for HDR video editing and color grading.
Print Photo Editing
Yes
Yes
Both the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) are suitable for print photo editing.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) and the ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) compare to other monitors
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS) | ViewSonic XG321UG (IPS Mini LED) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$436 | $2,300 | ||
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 27" | 32" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 3440 x 2160 | |
Screen Type | |||
Screen Type | LED | Mini LED | |
Screen Sub-type | |||
Screen Sub-type | IPS | IPS | |
Local Dimming Zones | |||
Local Dimming Zones | N/A | 1152 | |
COLOR, CONTRAST & BRIGHTNESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Native Contrast | |||
Native Contrast | 1195:1 | 1000:1 | |
SDR Peak Brightness | |||
SDR Peak Brightness | 372 nits | 400 nits | |
HDR Peak Brightness | |||
HDR Peak Brightness | 390 nits | 1400 nits | |
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | |||
Suitable for HDR Gaming and Media Consumption | No | No | |
sRGB Color Gamut | |||
sRGB Color Gamut | 96.8 % | ||
MOTION CHARACTERISTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Total Response Time | |||
Total Response Time | 9.1 ms | 3.6 ms | |
Variable Refresh Rate | |||
Variable Refresh Rate | 20 - 165 Hz | 48,144 Hz | |
Strobing / BFI | |||
Strobing / BFI | Yes | No | |
Persistence Blur Score | |||
Persistence Blur Score | 7.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Ghosting Score | |||
Ghosting Score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TEXT & IMAGE CLARITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 109 PPI | 137 PPI | |
Coating | |||
Coating | Matte | Matte | |
Text Clarity Score | |||
Text Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Image Clarity Score | |||
Image Clarity Score | 7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 1 | 0 | |
Shopping
MSI MAG274QRF-QD (IPS)
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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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We're constantly perfecting our model
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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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