Bottom Line
The MSI MAG 271QPX is one of the best 27″ gaming monitors you can get thanks to Samsung’s 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED panel with infinite contrast ratio, wide color gamut and decent peak brightness.
The MSI MAG 271QPX is yet another 27″ 1440p 360Hz gaming monitor based on Samsung’s QD-OLED panel. It is currently the most affordable option, so let’s see how it stacks up against its alternatives.
There’s also the MSI MPG 271QRX model, which has additional features, including a USB-C with a higher 90W Power Delivery, a built-in KVM switch and a USB hub (allows for firmware updates) for $50 extra.
Note that MSI MAG 271QPX monitors with a firmware version newer than FW.011 support firmware updates via DisplayPort.
Image Quality
Thanks to its OLED panel, the MSI MAG 271QPX monitor offers an infinite contrast ratio as each pixel can individually turn off completely for true blacks. On top of that, there are no visual artifacts associated with LED-backlit LCDs, such as IPS glow, backlight bleeding or FALD blooming.
The downside is that OLED displays cannot get as bright as some high-end LED and mini LED LCDs. However, the MSI MAG 271QPX still has a decent brightness performance with up to 1000-nits for small ≤ 3% white windows, 250-nits for a 100% white window, and up to 450-nits for < 10% white windows.
Make sure you select the “Peak 1000 nits” HDR mode to achieve the maximum brightness. The “True Black 400” mode is limited to ~450-nits.
While LG’s newer W-OLED panels can achieve a higher 1300-nit peak brightness on small white windows, it’s important to note that this only refers to white luminance.
QD-OLED panels have a higher color volume (colors are brighter) as well as a wider 99.3% DCI-P3 color gamut, which makes the picture more vibrant and brighter overall (more saturated colors and increased perceived brightness).
Next, the 2560×1440 QHD resolution offers a high pixel density of 110 PPI (pixels per inch) on the 26.5-inch viewable screen of the monitor, resulting in plenty of screen space with sharp details and text, and no scaling necessary.
Another advantage is that 1440p is significantly less demanding on the GPU than 4K UHD, allowing you to maintain higher frame rates.
The MSI MAG 271QPX uses Samsung’s third-generation panel with the improved triangular RGB subpixel layout, meaning that fringing on small text and fine details isn’t noticeable in games and videos, and it’s negligible during everyday use.
Further, the MSI MAG 271QPX has true 10-bit color depth for smooth gradients without banding and 178° wide viewing angles that ensure the image remains flawless regardless of the angle you’re looking at the screen.
It’s also factory-calibrated at Delta E < 2 for accurate image quality out of the box and has dedicated picture presets for sRGB, DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces.
Performance
OLED panels have instantaneous pixel response time speed, so there’s no visible ghosting behind fast-moving objects regardless of the refresh/frame rate.
Input lag is also very low at around 2ms of delay, which is imperceptible.
Variable refresh rate (VRR) is supported with a 48-360Hz dynamic range for tear-free gameplay up to 360FPS. While the monitor doesn’t have official G-SYNC Compatible certification by NVIDIA, VRR works without any issues with all supported GPUs.
HDMI 2.1 VRR is supported as well, allowing you to use VRR on the PS5 via 4K 120Hz upscaling or at 1080/1440p 120Hz.
As it’s the case with all OLED panels, there’s a risk of permanent image burn-in when leaving an image with bright static elements for too long. However, as long as you’re using the monitor sensibly, it shouldn’t be an issue.
MSI even offers a 3-year warranty that covers burn-in and innovative burn-in prevention features via their OLED Care 2.0 technology (multi logo, taskbar, static screen and boundary detection, pixel shift and panel protect).
Features
On the rear of the screen, there’s a directional joystick for quick and easy navigation through the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu, as well as a dedicated power button and a hotkey button (for customizable shortcuts).
Besides the basic image adjustment tools (brightness, contrast, color temperature, etc.), there are also a few advanced settings, including sharpness (Image Enhancement), automatic input detection and aspect ratio control (1:1, 4:3, 16:9, 16:10 and auto). There are no gamma or color saturation options though.
Other supported features include PiP/PbP, crosshair overlays (can dynamically change color based on the background), Optix Scope (zooms in the area around your crosshair), Night Vision, a refresh rate tracker, on-screen timers and a low-blue light filter.
Design & Connectivity
The stand of the monitor is sturdy and offers a full range of ergonomics, including up to 110mm height adjustment, +/- 90° pivot, +/- 30° swivel, -5°/20° tilt and 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility.
The monitor has a heatsink for passive cooling instead of a fan, while the screen has a semi-glossy finish, which provides you with a more vivid image quality than that of matte anti-glare coatings that add graininess to the image.
This also means that the screen is more reflective and since the panel lacks a polarizer, it will have raised blacks when hit with direct lighting.
Connectivity options include DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth, a USB-C port with DP Alt Mode and 15W Power Delivery and a headphone jack.
Price & Similar Monitors
The MSI MAG 271QPX goes for $750 in the US, which makes it the cheapest 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED model available. In fact, it’s even cheaper than most of the previous-gen 27″ 1440p 240Hz W-OLED models.
The MPG 271QRX model goes for $50 more but offers a higher 90W PD over USB-C, a KVM switch and a USB hub that allows for firmware updates. Now, we find that these features are worth the extra $50, but if you don’t need them, you might as well save $50.
While a lot of users are worried about the lack of firmware update support, the 271QPX doesn’t have any of the critical issues that previous OLED displays had.
These include lower-than-intended brightness when using AMD GPUs due to FreeSync Premium Pro pipeline, poor EOTF PQ tracking, panel refresher not activating and addressing a loud cooling fan – none of which affect the MAG 271QPX.
Outside of the US, these MSI models, however, are significantly more expensive than the alternatives, such as the Dell Alienware AW2725DF. So, you should definitely compare the prices of all models in your region and pick the most cost-efficient model.
| Dell AW2725DF | MSI MPG 271QRX | MSI MAG 271QPX | Samsung G60SD | Gigabyte FO27Q3 | |
| Screen | Glossy | Glossy | Glossy | Matte | Glossy |
| Video Ports | 2x DP 1.4, HDMI 2.0* | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 90W | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, USB-C 15W | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 | DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 USB-C 18W |
| Other Ports | 3x USB-A, USB-C | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP | HP | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP | 2x USB-A, USB-B, HP, Mic, 2x5W |
| KVM | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Cooling | Active (Fan) | Passive (Heatsink) | Passive (Heatsink) | Passive (Pulsating Heat Pipes) | Passive (Heatsink) |
| Burn-in warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Price (MSRP) | $900 | $800 | $750 | $900 | $800 |
Note that there are also 1440p 240Hz QD-OLED models at a bit lower price if you don’t need such a high refresh rate, such as the MSI MAG 271QPX E2.
Alternatively, consider the LG 27GS95QE or the ASUS XG27AQDMG.
These are 27″ 1440p 240Hz gaming monitors based on LG’s W-OLED panel with MLA+ technology for higher brightness.
LG’s model has a matte anti-glare coating, whereas the ASUS XG27AQDMG has a glossy screen surface with a polarizer – it offers a vivid image quality and while it’s reflective, it doesn’t raise blacks like the glossy QD-OLED displays.
They are also a bit more affordable ($650 – $750), but have an RWBG subpixel layout, which results in noticeable fringing on small text and fine details.
We don’t recommend other 27″ 1440p 240Hz W-OLED models as they lack the MLA+ technology, resulting in notably lower brightness.
More OLED displays are expected in 2024. Check out our OLED monitors article for more information.
Conclusion
Overall, the MSI MAG 271QPX is currently one of the best 27″ gaming monitors you can get thanks to Samsung’s 1440p 360Hz QD-OLED panel with infinite contrast ratio, wide color gamut and decent peak brightness. Check out all the alternatives based on the same panel to ensure you’re getting the best model for you.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 26.5-inch |
| Resolution | 2560×1440 (WQHD) |
| Panel Type | OLED |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 (Widescreen) |
| Refresh Rate | 360Hz |
| Response Time | 0.03ms (GtG) |
| Adaptive-Sync | FreeSync Premium (48-360Hz) |
| Ports | DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps), USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 15W PD) |
| Other Ports | Headphone Jack |
| Brightness (1 – 3% White Window) | 1000 cd/m² |
| Brightness (10% White Window) | 450 cd/m² |
| Brightness (100% White Window) | 250 cd/m² |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite |
| Colors | 1.07 billion (true 10-bit) 99.3% DCI-P3 |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black |
| VESA | Yes (100x100mm) |
The Pros:
- Infinite contrast ratio, decent peak brightness, wide color gamut
- Instant response time
- Plenty of features, including VRR up to 360Hz
- Fully ergonomic design
The Cons:
- Risk of burn-in (though covered by 3-year warranty)
