2025 is just around the corner, and most gamers still use Full HD monitors because of their affordability. The MSI MAG 275QF is another attempt to bring more gamers into the Quad HD world, and, looking ahead, it’s a very successful one. The monitor doesn’t seem to impress with its technical characteristics, but its price/performance ratio is probably the best on the market.
Pluses:
Quad HD IPS panel with a nice and soft image; excellent gaming capabilities; moderate power consumption; nice price;
Minuses:
not the best coverage of color space; the simplest possible stand without height adjustment;
Content
Technical specifications of MSI MAG 275QF
| Technical characteristics | |
| Diagonal | 27″ |
| Panel type | IPS |
| Viewing angle | 178°/ 178° |
| Pixel pitch | 0.23 mm |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 |
| Brightness (typical) | 300 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 100 000 000 to 1 |
| Color depth | 8 bits + FRC |
| GtG response time | > 0.5 ms |
| Update frequency | 180 Hz |
| HDR support | + |
| Audio system | – |
| Audio jack | 3.5 mm jack |
| Display Port | 1 x DP 1.4 |
| HDMI | 2 x HDMI 2.0 |
| USB | – |
| Other | Adaptive Sync |
| Flicker-Free | |
| Sight, timer, FPS counter | |
| Tilt adjustment | |
| Highlighting dark areas | |
| Power supply | Built-in |
| Energy consumption | 13-30 W |
| Dimensions | 613x455x220 mm |
| Weight (with stand) | 4 kg |
Package and packaging
The box and everything inside is a paradise for environmental activists. The manufacturer used as much recycled cardboard as possible without the classic foam «sandwiches» between which the screen itself is sandwiched.
The package includes MSI MAG 275QF monitor, short leg, stand, power cable, Display Port cable, plastic cable management clip, paper documentation, and an energy efficiency class F sticker.
Design and ergonomics of MSI MAG 275QF
The stand is assembled without any screws or keys in 10-20 seconds. There is a small clip that can be installed on the leg after everything is connected to keep the cables organized. The hero of the review looks like any modern low-end gaming monitor. When assembled, a short stand without the ability to adjust the height (only the tilt) catches the eye. If you wish, you can purchase another stand for VESA mounts.
The leg and stand are plastic, very light, just like the monitor itself. When you move it around the table or use the built-in joystick on the back, it wobbles and shakes. But a four-kilogram screen can be carried by anyone. The bezels are medium-sized, with a small chin at the bottom. The screen is matte, and there are glossy areas on the back that can easily get dirty with your hands while carrying it (although who can see them there?).
Interfaces
MSI MAG 275QF monitor has a basic set of interfaces: one Display Port 1.4, two HDMI 2.0, as well as a 3.5 mm jack and an AC power connector. There are no built-in speakers, and no USB. Of course, I would like to have at least some kind of USB hub, but this would be impudence for this kind of money.
MSI MAG 275QF display
Quad HD matrix with a diagonal of 27 inches and a matte finish — what a modern gamer needs. The 2560×1440 resolution is optimal for graphics cards of any class. With such a pixel density, you can confidently set not only DLSS Quality without degrading the image quality, but also DLSS Balanced or FSR Quality, XeSS Quality.
The fonts look smooth if you don’t look at them under a magnifying glass. For use from a distance of 50-80 centimeters, the picture quality is high. With this pixel pitch, only photographers with a 24-inch iMac 4.5K Retina will be dissatisfied.
The manufacturer claims a response time of 0.5 ms, and the TFTTEST program shows 5 ms. The maximum refresh rate is 180 Hz for computers, and there is also support for current consoles in 120 Hz mode. The monitor operates in 8 bit + FRC color bit mode.
The indicated brightness of 300 nits is true because the colorimeter recorded 295 nits at 100% brightness with HDR and 272 nits in sRGB mode. At 50% brightness, we have 180 nits, at 25% 108 nits, and with a minimum level of 34 nits. Given the matte finish, it is pleasant to use MSI MAG 275QF both day and night. The brightness margin is quite adequate, and the minimum level is quite low.
Despite adequate viewing angles, slight glare in the corners, and a pleasant black color (by IPS standards), the color gamut of MSI MAG 275QF is far from perfect. Regardless of the selected mode, the monitor can’t hit the coveted 100% sRGB. Indicators for Adobe RGB, P3, NTSC are at the level of typical budget screens.
Power consumption of MSI MAG 275QF
Despite its F (very low) energy class, the MSI MAG 275QF consumes very little power. It’s a wonder why it’s considered inefficient in Europe when it consumes 13 watts at minimum brightness. If you raise the backlight level to 50%, then this figure increases to 22 watts.
With maximum brightness and when viewing HDR content, the monitor draws 28 watts from the outlet. The power consumption during video games is approximately the same. All tests were performed with a refresh rate of 180 Hz because lowering this parameter has almost no effect on power consumption. An increase of 1-2 W is a typical fluctuation when the scene on the screen changes from light to dark and vice versa.
Experience of use
The MSI MAG 275QF monitor leaves mostly positive emotions if video games are a priority. It’s a good choice for eSports and more. A gamer will definitely be 100% satisfied, but not a demanding photographer who is used to looking at the slightest imperfections in the image under a magnifying glass. Yes, there are «experts» who complain about the 0.23 mm pixel pitch.
Subjectively, MSI MAG 275QF is fully worth the money. If it wasn’t for the nice price, it’s unlikely that the hero of the review would deserve a high rating because it has enough shortcomings. Personally, I miss a more functional height-adjustable stand, and I would also like to have at least some built-in acoustics, but this is rare for gaming models.
Competitors and price of MSI MAG 275QF
For the monitor, MSI MAG 275QF is asking for 9000 hryvnias at a discount, but it is available only in a few stores. The price is really adequate, so the hero of the review looks confident among competitors. Let’s consider several similar models from other manufacturers in the same price range.
Direct competitor Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A Although it has 50 nits lower maximum brightness, it boasts built-in 2 x 2 W speakers. The price is 10,000 UAH.
Philips Evnia 27M2N5500 is an almost perfect choice in this price range: 350 nits of brightness, a full-fledged hub for four USB Type A, and a functional stand. The price is only 9000 hryvnias.
Acer Nitro VG272UV3bmiipx has built-in speakers and a brightness of up to 350 nits. The manufacturer also guarantees NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible and HDR 400 compatibility. The official price is 9300 UAH.
Samsung Odyssey G55C 27 — an exemplary representative of budget VA models. The curved screen will definitely appeal to those who are used to sitting close to the monitor. For the «Odyssey» you will have to pay only 8500 UAH.
LG UltraGear 27GN800 with a 144 Hz Nano IPS matrix boasts 350 nits brightness, NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible support, and USB Type A. The price is 9900 UAH.
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