MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED Gaming Monitor Review

For gaming enthusiasts looking for a luxurious viewing experience, a 49″ ultrawide like the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is an ideal addition to any high-end gaming setup. This QD-OLED gaming monitor aims to provide incredible immersion in the latest titles and plenty of screen real estate that can replace multi-monitor setups. To see how the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED compares to other ultrawide and QD-OLED monitors, we’ll be conducting a thorough analysis of this display’s design, visual fidelity, and functionality.

Ultrawide gaming monitors are slowly becoming readily available, with more manufacturers offering price-competitive designs without sacrificing quality. We’ve previously tested 49″ displays from ASUS and Gigabyte, which impressed us with their visual quality and strong value proposition. However, MSI’s latest monitor is set to go head-to-head with these gaming monitors, combining a stunning 1440p display with several exciting features designed to elevate the overall gaming experience.

In this review, we’ll test the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED in a wide range of gaming and general scenarios. Afterwards, we’ll discuss our findings to determine whether this gaming monitor is worth the investment.

Specification

In terms of performance, the MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED performs well against the other 49″ gaming monitors that we’ve tested. However, this monitor has some limitations compared to other QD-OLED displays.

Most of these limitations can be explained by the general restrictions of gaming monitors with similar form factors. For example, ultrawide displays are typically limited to 1440p resolutions, as the increased aspect ratio makes it very difficult to implement the required pixel density to achieve a 4K image. In addition, the refresh rates of these displays are limited to 144Hz. Whilst this will be enough to enjoy smooth gameplay, 1440p gaming monitors with a conventional 16:9 aspect ratio can achieve refresh rates of 165Hz with relative ease while maintaining an affordable price point.

That said, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED includes plenty of features that help differentiate it from other 1440p gaming monitors on the market. First, the QD-OLED panel provides clarity and vibrancy that is hard for most displays to compete with. By combining the benefits of Quantum-Dot and OLED technology, the back panel provides an excellent contrast ratio of 15 million to 1 and solid colour accuracy.

Another excellent addition to this display is the 0.03ms response time. This will lead to gameplay that feels very responsive, which is particularly beneficial in competitive titles. Finally, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED includes sufficient connectivity for any high-end gaming setup. With a DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports, a gaming PC and multiple consoles can be hooked up to this display simultaneously. Plus, the USB Type-C can be used to connect a laptop or gaming handheld.

The MPG 491CQP QD-OLED’s biggest weakness is the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which uses an independent adaptive sync technology rather than AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC. It is GPU-agnostic, meaning the VRR will work with any GPU. However, the lack of support for the official technology raises concerns about whether the adaptive sync used will provide optimal performance.

After looking at the specs in detail, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED boasts the firepower needed to be considered a high-quality ultrawide display. However, a few weak spots could hinder its performance in some games and applications. It will be interesting to see how this translates when testing this display.

MSI MPG 491CQP QD-OLED Design

From a design perspective, I’m a big fan of the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED. Like most of MSI’s latest display range, this gaming monitor strikes a healthy balance between professionalism and exciting design features that will appeal to gamers. As a result, this design is an ideal choice for those looking to build a gaming-workstation hybrid.

What makes this display stand out compared to other gaming monitors is the form factor. This 49″ monitor boasts a 32:9 aspect ratio, equivalent to two 16:9 displays side-by-side and generally referred to as ‘Super-Ultrawide’ monitors. Because of this, the panel on the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED looks a lot shorter than most gaming monitors and comes with a distinct set of pros and cons.

Starting with the positives, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is an ideal alternative to multi-monitor setups, as it provides a seamless and uninterrupted way to display multiple windows at once. It also drastically increases the field-of-view (FOV) while gaming, opening up possibilities for a greater sense of immersion. To further bolster the immersive gaming experience, this monitor features an 1800R curvature, allowing this display to match the human’s natural line of sight.

However, the sheer size of this gaming monitor will cause issues for those with limited desk space. On top of this, the wide panel requires a large stand to keep it stable, which will limit the alternative mounting methods that will support this display. Another problem with super ultrawide displays is the limited flexibility compared to a multi-monitor setup. Multiple monitors allow you to rearrange or remove a display when more desk space is required, which isn’t possible when using an ultrawide.

Moving away from the form factor, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED includes many design choices that add a sense of luxury while offering multiple quality-of-life improvements. To start, the back panel consists of a relatively slim shroud covering the internals, detailed with a large MSI logo and a vertical stripe pattern. Not only does this create a sleek aesthetic, but the graphene film covering the design increases heat dissipation, allowing the monitor to maintain stable temperatures without needing a fan.

The high quality continues into the stand, which feels sturdy and includes a Y-shaped base that minimises impact on desk space. This monitor stand combines metal and glossy plastic to elevate the overall look of the display without looking boisterous or leaning too much into the gamer aesthetic.

However, the design also has practical benefits, as it allows you to tilt, swivel, and adjust the height of this display. While this enables anyone using this display to position it in the most ergonomic fashion, it did cause the display to wobble slightly, so approach any adjustments with caution. Alternatively, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is VESA 100 x 100mm compatible, but it will be challenging to find mounting hardware that can support such a large panel.

On the whole, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED boasts a luxurious design that allows gamers to navigate the incredibly large form factor with ease. Though there is still some wobble when making adjustments, the sturdy stand and slimmer panel provide plenty of support for the ultrawide panel while creating a sleek aesthetic that is suitable for a wide range of setups.

Features We Like

Console Support

The MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is a solid choice for those looking to use a console alongside their gaming PC, mainly because it has two HDMI 2.1 ports. This allows console gamers to fully utilise their system’s power, which can achieve a maximum 120Hz refresh rate at up to 4K resolutions. As a result, this monitor can display an Xbox Series X/S and PS5 at 1440p 120Hz simultaneously if you wish.

Additionally, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED has a dedicated console mode, which enables Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM) technology for smooth and consistent performance.

KVM Switch

A KVM switch allows multiple devices to be controlled by a single set of peripherals. It also gives the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED the ability to display images from multiple sources simultaneously. Because of this, it is a strong option for streamers who want to use a console to play their games while using a PC to control their live stream.

OLED Care 2.0

One of the biggest concerns when picking up an OLED monitor is burn-in. However, the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED alleviates these concerns by implementing OLED Care 2.0. This software includes several features that prevent burn-in, such as Pixel Shift, Panel Protect, and Static Screen Detection.

Features We Don’t Like

Aspect Ratio Compatibility

The main disadvantage of buying an ultrawide display is its restricted compatibility with games and other applications. While more games are launching with ultrawide (21:9) support, the selection pool is further limited when using the super-ultrawide (32:9) format. Generally, 32:9 support is reserved for AAA single-player titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and Starfield.

Because of this, the vast majority of games won’t be able to fully take advantage of the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED, with many games that do support this aspect ratio implementing it in patches and updates after launch. As a result, the games are surrounded by black bars or filled in with generic artwork, which breaks the sense of immersion this monitor is supposed to provide.

144Hz Refresh Rate

Another weakness of adopting an ultrawide gaming monitor is the limited performance compared to conventional 16:9 displays around a similar price point. A prime example of this on the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED is the 144Hz refresh rate. Even though a 144Hz refresh rate is more than enough to enjoy a plethora of games, other 1440p displays within this price range can support frame rates of up to 240Hz, leading to significant improvements when playing competitive titles.

Colour Accuracy & Image Quality

To test the image quality of the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED in great detail, we will use the Datacolor SpyderX Pro colour calibrator. This device allows us to assess the display’s colour accuracy in relation to various colour gamuts. From this, we’ll be able to compare the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED to other gaming monitors we’ve tested, including other ultrawide displays with a QD-OLED panel.

From the eye test alone, the image on the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED looks stunning. Colours are sharp and vibrant, resulting in lush landscapes and crystal-clear icons in all the latest games. However, the colour calibrator will offer a better reading of how this display compares to other gaming monitors.

Our finding showed that the MPG 491CQP QD-OLED managed to cover the full range of the sRGB gamut, which most modern displays can achieve. However, our results showed that this monitor only achieved 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, compared to the 99% claim on MSI’s website. This is a significant underperformance, which suggests the difference isn’t simply due to varying testing conditions.

These results put the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 below the other 49″ gaming monitors we’ve tested, the ASUS ROG SWIFT OLED PG49WCD and Gigabyte AORUS CO49DQ, which both managed a 97% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. That being said, a 2% difference is unlikely to result in a noticeable difference when gaming, especially when the coverage is so high.

Conclusion