Buying Guide
The Best MSI 4K Monitors
We weighed three monitors on refresh rate and screen size; the MPG 321URX has the largest screen size, and the MAG 274UPF costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
MSI's monitor range is wide, so the model number decides what you get. Every monitor here is made by MSI and is 4K, ordered by refresh rate.
Rankings weigh refresh rate, resolution and size as the makers state them; we did not test these monitors ourselves, and if a maker skips response, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Screen Size
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
The largest screen size here (31.5 inches).
Best for: Buyers who put screen size first.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED
The top of this price range, adding a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
MSI MAG 274UPF E2
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest screen size here (31.5 inches). | Buyers who put screen size first. | Check price for MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for MSI MAG 274UPF E2 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Screen Size1 of 3
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's MPG 321URX is a 31.5-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with a built-in KVM, so one keyboard and mouse can switch between a desktop and a laptop.
Best for
- Buyers who put screen size first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: oLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements.
Why we like it
USB-C input rounds out the ports. It matches the MPG 272URX on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it leads this guide at 31.5 inches, ahead of the MAG 274UPF (27 inches).
Like the MPG 272URX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the MAG 274UPF uses a rapid IPS panel. Like the MPG 272URX, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the MAG 274UPF uses an HDR 400. It also offers HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a inputs and an HDMI 2.1 input for consoles.
Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. Leave the maker's pixel-refresh routines enabled and hide static taskbars to limit burn-in risk. Its price falls between the MAG 274UPF and the MPG 272URX, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 31.5 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- USB-C: Yes
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Costs more than the MAG 274UPF at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 3
MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's MPG 272URX is a 26.5-inch 4K QD-OLED at 240Hz with 99% DCI-P3 coverage.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when oLED burn-in risk with static desktop element is a problem.
Why we like it
It packs 4K into a desk-friendly size. It matches the MPG 321URX on refresh rate (240Hz). On screen size it trails the group at 26.5 inches, while the MPG 321URX comes in at 31.5 inches.
Like the MPG 321URX, it has a QD-OLED panel, while the MAG 274UPF uses a rapid IPS panel. Like the MPG 321URX, it has a DisplayHDR True Black 400, while the MAG 274UPF uses an HDR 400. It also offers a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches, OLED Care 2.0 in MSI software and an HDMI 2.1 input.
Reaching 240Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MPG 321URX and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 26.5 inches
- Panel: QD-OLED
- Response: 0.03ms
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Color gamut: 99% DCI-P3
Pros
- a 240Hz refresh rate for fast motion
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a QD-OLED panel with per-pixel contrast
- DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification
Cons
- OLED burn-in risk with static desktop elements
- Screen size trails the MPG 321URX (31.5 inches)
- Costs more than the MAG 274UPF at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
MSI MAG 274UPF E2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MAG 274UPF gives 4K at 160Hz with a fully adjustable stand.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if refresh rate matters most to you; the MPG 321URX offers 240Hz.
Why we like it
It is a straightforward, well-equipped IPS choice. On refresh rate it trails the group at 160Hz, while the MPG 321URX offers 240Hz. Its 27 inches screen size ranks second of 3 here, behind the MPG 321URX (31.5 inches) and ahead of the MPG 272URX (26.5 inches).
A rapid IPS panel is unique to it among these picks, while the MPG 272URX uses a QD-OLED panel. An HDR 400 is unique to it among these picks, while the MPG 272URX uses a DisplayHDR True Black 400. Reaching 160Hz at 4K needs DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1 on your graphics card, and a GPU able to render well above 100fps at 4K.
G-SYNC Compatible works on NVIDIA cards over DisplayPort, and FreeSync covers AMD cards. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MPG 321URX was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Refresh rate: 160Hz
- Resolution: 3840x2160 (4K)
- Size: 27 inches
- Panel: Rapid IPS
- HDR: HDR 400
- Adaptive sync: FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible
- Stand: height, swivel and pivot adjustment
Pros
- 160Hz for smoother motion than a 60Hz office screen
- 4K resolution for sharp text and detail
- a Rapid IPS panel with wide viewing angles
- FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible to reduce screen tearing
Cons
- Refresh rate trails the MPG 321URX (240Hz)
How We Chose These MSI 4K Monitors
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three monitors on refresh rate, resolution, screen size and panel as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the MPG 321URX to the MAG 274UPF, state refresh rate, resolution and screen size and share 3840x2160 (4K) resolution.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MAG 274UPF gives no response.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MAG 274UPF ($250 to $500) to the MPG 272URX ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an MSI 4K Monitor
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Refresh rate across these picks
Here refresh rate runs from 160Hz on the MAG 274UPF to 240Hz on the MPG 321URX. Start with the MPG 321URX if refresh rate decides it.
How much screen size you need
Here screen size runs from 26.5 inches on the MPG 272URX to 31.5 inches on the MPG 321URX. For less, the MAG 274UPF is the runner-up at 27 inches.
Extras that separate them
The MPG 321URX: HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a inputs. The MPG 272URX: OLED Care 2.0 in MSI software. The MAG 274UPF: a 160Hz refresh rate at 4K.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the MAG 274UPF; $500 to $1000 buys the MPG 321URX and the MPG 272URX at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put screen size first: the MPG 321URX. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the MPG 272URX. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the MAG 274UPF.
How to Choose an MSI 4K Monitor
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put screen size first | MPG 321URX | The largest screen size here (31.5 inches) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | MPG 272URX | The top of this price range, adding a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | MAG 274UPF | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MPG 321URX leads on refresh rate at 240Hz, ahead of the MPG 272URX at 240Hz.
| Monitor | Refresh rate | Resolution | Size | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPG 321URX | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 31.5 inches | QD-OLED |
| MPG 272URX | 240Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 26.5 inches | QD-OLED |
| MAG 274UPF | 160Hz | 3840x2160 (4K) | 27 inches | Rapid IPS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MAG 274UPF was the lowest-priced pick and the MPG 272URX the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Monitors |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | MAG 274UPF |
| About $500 to $1000 | MPG 321URX, MPG 272URX |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MAG 274UPF compare with the MPG 321URX on screen size?
The MPG 321URX leads at 31.5 inches, with the MAG 274UPF at 27 inches. The MPG 272URX is at the other end of this group with 26.5 inches.
What does the MPG 272URX add over the MAG 274UPF?
On paper it adds refresh rate (240Hz against 160Hz). It does not win everywhere: the MAG 274UPF still leads on screen size (27 inches). The MAG 274UPF was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the MPG 321URX our Largest Screen Size pick?
It earns the label for the largest screen size here (31.5 inches). It suits anyone who put screen size first.
Do the MPG 321URX and the MAG 274UPF differ on panel?
The MPG 321URX and the MPG 272URX use QD-OLED; the MAG 274UPF uses Rapid IPS.
What extras do the MPG 321URX and the MPG 272URX include?
The MPG 321URX: a built-in KVM with picture-in-picture. The MPG 272URX: a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches. The MAG 274UPF: a 160Hz refresh rate at 4K.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MPG 321URX, chosen for the largest screen size here (31.5 inches). Look at the MPG 272URX for the top of this price range, adding a 4K QD-OLED panel at 26.5 inches and the MAG 274UPF for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
Use the cable in the box; older cables can cap the refresh rate.