MSI MAG 275CQRXF Gaming Monitor Review

MSI’s MAG 275CQRXF is the latest 1440p gaming monitor to dial up the refresh rate to 240Hz, allowing those building a high-end gaming PC to output highly-competitive frame rates at 1080p and 1440p. This 27″ gaming monitor aims to provide all the tools needed for the ultimate balance of performance and visual fidelity when gaming, at a price point it hopes won’t break the bank for most gamers.

But what does this 240Hz display possess to convince gamers to put it into their gaming setup? We’ll be analysing the design, performance, and feature-set of the MAG 275CQRXF, to determine where this monitor sits in this growing area of the market.

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Specifications

There are plenty of impressive specs on the MSI MAG 275CQRXF. With only a few 1440p gaming monitors currently being able to exceed a 240Hz refresh rate, this display is amongst the best options for competitive gaming. To support this focus on high-end gaming, the MAG 275CQRXF boasts a 1ms response time and is equipped with adaptive sync, which results in a seamless gaming experience devoid of technical issues such as screen-tearing.

However, the focus on making an accessible 240Hz display does lead to restrictions in some areas. In this case, these restrictions come in the visuals department. The MAG 275CQRXF comes with a VA panel, which possess weaker colour accuracy than the IPS and OLED panels found on premium 1440p monitors.

As a result, the image on this display will be less vibrant and colourful than monitors with an IPS or OLED screen. Additionally, the 300 nits peak brightness is fairly low for a gaming monitor.

This makes the MSI MAG 275CQRXF somewhat of a mixed bag on paper. Whilst the specs suggest this display is capable of generating a more than satisfactory 1440p gaming experience, the MAG 275CQRXF falls short of other 240Hz monitors in a few key areas.

MSI MAG 275CQRXF Design

The design of the MAG 275CQRXF will look very familiar to anyone that has used one of MSI’s gaming monitors before, as this display comes with most of the tropes associated with their displays. For example, the brushed metal finish and strip of RGB lighting across the back panel are synonymous with MSI.

Because of this, the MAG 275CQRXF is great for any gaming setup. Not only does the industrial-like appearance and hint of RGB fit into the aesthetics found on most gaming PCs, but there are also a number of practical benefits to picking up this monitor for your gaming setup.

For example, the integrated stand includes an opening for easier cable management, along with a Y-shaped design that minimalises the impact on desk space. As for the monitor itself, the MAG 275CQRXF comes with a 1000R curvature. Having a curved panel is great for gaming, as it is better aligned with the human eye’s field-of-view, leading to a greater sense of immersion.

Overall, the MAG 275CQRXF’s design will appeal to a large audience of gamers, thanks to plenty of practical aesthetic features.

Features

Whilst the design and performance of a gaming monitor are typically more important, a monitor’s feature-set is often what allows a display to stand out from the competition. Here are the biggest selling points on the MAG 275CQRXF.

1000R Curvature

As mentioned previously, the 1000R curvature is used on this gaming monitor to add a greater sense of immersion in the latest titles. Whether a curved panel is a positive will depend on personal preference, but this form factor allows for a greater view of the on-screen events, which is particularly useful in competitive scenarios.

Adjustable Stand

One of the most interesting features of this monitor is the integrated stand, as it allows for easy adjustment into the desired position. With the ability to alter the height and tilt of this display, it is easy to find the right viewing angle, leading to a more ergonomic gaming experience.

That being said, the separation needed to allow for these adjustments does make the stand feel slightly intrusive. Whilst the slender stand and elevated Y-shaped feet means this monitor takes up less desk space, this stand will need to be either place on a fairly wide surface, or be replaced by a 100 x 100 VESA compatible monitor arm. On top of this, the lack of swivel on the stand can cause difficulties within a multi-monitor setup.

RGB Lighting

As a display that is designed for gaming, the strip of RGB lighting is meant to add a splash of colour to your setup. Additionally, the MSI Mystic Light software allows you to customise this lighting to match your PC build and peripherals. Unfortunately, the lighting on our model wouldn’t turn on when activated via the on-screen menu, meaning that we couldn’t put this to the test.

Rear IO & Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the MAG 275CQRXF comes with two HDMI 2.0 connections and 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 connection, which makes it easy to connect this display up to your PC and games consoles. Plus, the USB-C port makes it easy to extend the display of your gaming laptop, while the USB Type-B and subsequent Type-A ports allow gamers with multiple devices to take advantage of this display’s KVM functionality. The USB Type-B port also grants you access to the MSI Intelligence software, along with an Audio Jack for speakers and headphones.

KVM & Console Mode

Whilst a gaming monitor is normally associated with gaming PCs, this display is also suitable for games consoles and gaming laptops. To ease the switching process between each device, the MAG 275CQRXF comes with a keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) function. This can be an incredibly handy addition, removing the need to plug and unplug cables, which can be cumbersome and frustrating. Additionally, the dedicated console mode enables variable refresh rate (VRR), which eliminates instances of stuttering and screen-tearing.

OSD & Navigation

When it comes to adjusting settings, MSI’s on-screen display (OSD) is one of best navigation systems available. Along with a plethora of customisation options, the vibrant blue and purple colour scheme makes it easy to see what settings are being controlled. On top of this, the MSI Intelligence app can be installed, which allows you to navigate these settings with a mouse and keyboard.

Testing

To gauge how the image of this display matches up compared to other gaming monitors on the market, we decided to use the Datacolor SpyderX colour calibrator. This devices allows us to measure how accurate the colours on the 275CQRXF are, in respect to various colour gamuts. After running the appropriate tests in an office environment, we decided to focus on the sRGB and DCI-P3 results, as these are the colour gamuts associated with gaming.

Overall, the results of the MAG 275CQRXF were very close to the stated colour accuracy on the MAG 275CQRXF’s product page. Whilst it comes as little surprise due to most gaming monitors being able to achieve the same feat, this monitor is able to cover the full range of the sRGB colour gamut.

However, the 91% coverage of DCI-P3 is slightly below the 92% stated on this monitor’s product page. Whilst the results are close to expectations, the 91% DCI-P3 coverage is fairly low for a 1440p gaming monitor within this price range, as most displays of this calibre tend to reach at least 95% coverage.