MSI Optix MPG321QRF-QD 32″ Gaming Monitor Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The MSI Optix MPG321QRF QD is available now from most major hardware retailers. It’s obviously a high-end monitor, so the price of £690 isn’t particularly surprising. It’s not overpriced, it’s not a bargain, but it’s competitive. There are similarly sized, similarly fast monitor out there for around £400. However, MSI is a premium brand, which is reflected in the premium looking aesthetics and build quality. Plus, you get features like RGB, the KVM, the slick OSD, USB-C DP, and most importantly of all, the Rapid IPS with impressive colour reproduction. If panel accuracy, build quality and those extra features don’t matter to you, you can save a bundle, however, if you do make the extra investment for the Optix, you won’t regret it.

Overview

MSI has a pretty solid reputation for their gaming monitors, and that’s hardly surprising since they don’t actually make any entry-level models. Look at their Modern MD271CPW, it is a 27″ Full-HD monitor, but even then it’s one of the most expensive in its class, but also one of the nicest on the market too. Or the 4K version of the one reviewed today, which has a 10-bit panel and some of the most impressive colours I’ve ever seen on a monitor. How above the insanely swift 360Hz NXG253R? Again, it’s a prime example that MSI only releases a monitor that’s going to make a statement in its respective class.

At 32″, the Optix MPG321QRF-QD is pretty sizeable, and a little bigger than the more common 27″ class of monitors that most PC gamers still use. Then again, while HD still dominates, more and more of the gaming market is now using 2560 x 1440 (2K) or similar resolution panels, and 4K is still gaining in popularity (mostly limited due to the increased GPU demands rather than monitor options). So a good screen size, a suitable resolution and pixel density are a good start, but it’s the 175 Hz refresh rate and G-Sync features that really take things to the next level. It makes everything look more detailed and fluid, giving you a competitive edge in multiplayer titles. However, even for kicking back and playing single-player games, anyone can enjoy almost 3x the refresh rate, assuming your GPU can keep up with that pace, of course. Combined with the 1ms< GTG, ghosting and blur are really not an issue here, which is always nice.

MSI has really nailed their formula for gaming monitors, and that’s why many of them look fairly similar. The aesthetics are really on point with this monitor. Sure, I can get something a little cheaper that’s a grey rectangle, but if you’re investing a lot of time (and money) into building a slick gaming setup, it’s understandable you may want a monitor that brings some aesthetic flair of its own. Little additions like a built-in mouse bungee, thumbstick control, RGB accent lighting, a USB hub with KVM, and a decent stand all add up too. It’s a very sturdy and well-made monitor that really looks the part.

The colour reproduction on monitors is certainly getting better, or at least, in this sort of price range it is. While it’s not up to movie colour grading specifications, it’s really hard to explain how good it looks to those of you using fairly standard (and affordable) monitors most of your gaming life. The richness, vibrance and depth of primary colours are really surprising, they’re almost neon-like in more colourful games. Movies pop, especially if you’re watching some Netflix or something with HDR support. About the only letdown is the edge lighting tech, but if you want a full-array backlight and this level of colour, you can more than double the price, and kiss goodbye to many of the gaming features too. However, for a gaming monitor, there’s a lot more beyond just high refresh rates to enjoy here.