MSI MAG 325CQRF QD evaluation

The gaming monitor market is ultra-competitive proper now, however that generally results in a number of merchandise mixing collectively, and turning into discernible because of many itemizing related options on the product field. I’ve definitely been responsible of being overwhelmed by the monitor choices accessible, as an alternative resorting to operating my setup by a five-year-old 1080p, 120 fps show. The MAG MSI 325CQRF QD, nonetheless, is a curved gaming monitor that calls for your consideration, and it’s properly value prioritizing if you make your subsequent spherical of upgrades.

MSI isn’t letting its MAG sub-brand ship out simply any previous 1440p show, anticipating it to be probably the greatest gaming displays in the marketplace. Years of experience within the area have allowed MSI to craft a shocking curved VA show, that immediately makes every thing you do look cleaner, crisper, and simply outright prettier. Nevertheless, there’s one design overlook that stops the MAG 325CQRF QD in need of perfection.

Professionals

Common Sort-C energy (as much as 15W)
Gorgeous coloration accuracy and vary for VA
Rear RGB is a pleasant addition
Variable Refresh Price help for consoles

Cons

MSI MAG 325CQRF QD options

The field options for the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD are very spectacular, as you would possibly anticipate, however I’ll contact on how they relate to efficiency just a little in a while. I’ll begin with the plain ones, we’ve a 31.5-inch curved WQHD 2560×1440, 170Hz show on a Speedy VA (Vertical Alignment) panel. Even with the appearance of OLED displays, the continued IPS vs VA dialogue has developed rather a lot over time, however the usually accepted image is that IPS (in-plane switching) nonetheless has a bonus with regards to responsiveness and viewing angles – even when VA has closed the hole significantly on the previous – and that VA sometimes packs superior distinction.

Speedy VA is marketed as a step above conventional VA, providing an ultra-fast 1ms GTG (gray-to-gray) response time, which ought to vastly mitigate ghosting.

Quantum Dot know-how is current, which provides one other layer to the show to reinforce the colour accuracy, enhance the colour saturation, and provide a wider distinction ratio. The show additionally conforms to the HDR Prepared normal, which primarily means it may well course of HDR data however doesn’t meet any {hardware} HDR requirements. Nonetheless, with a 96.8% DCI-P3 coloration vary and native distinction ratio of three,500:1, this monitor does really produce much more eye-popping colours and deeper distinction than many displays that do meet different HDR requirements. Probably the most you’d anticipate to get out of an IPS show is round 1,200:1 distinction.

The MSI MAG 325CQRF QD helps variable refresh charge, with help for FreeSync Premium. MSI doesn’t listing any kind of verified Nvidia G-Sync help however our testing reveals that it is appropriate. Help solely extends to the DisplayPorts, although, with the HDMI 2.0b ports not supporting variable refresh charge. A function referred to as Night time Imaginative and prescient can also be current and comes with stage presets or an AI mode to assist detect when a recreation is simply too darkish, tuning the darker colours to forestall particulars from disappearing into the shadows.

MSI MAG 325CQRF QD design

Whereas the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD is wonderful to have a look at, one sensible ingredient of its design falls massively quick, the I/O placement. Residing on a protruding ridge on the rear of the monitor, it’s nearly unattainable to blindly rearrange your connections, and even with the monitor absolutely prolonged and tilted, I nonetheless needed to bodily choose it as much as change ports round though it is a frequent downside with many displays. When working with a second monitor the place the I/O is well accessible, the issue right here is amplified. It’s right here that I noticed that the monitor additionally had some weight to it, and these two issues come to a head each time I want to maneuver cables round.

The I/O itself consists of two HDMI 2.0s, a DisplayPort 1.2, USB Sort-C, a 3.5mm jack, a USB Sort-B for passthrough, two USB 2.0 Sort-A, and a DC energy jack.

Constructing the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD  takes just a little extra work than some displays however remains to be simple sufficient. There are not any quick-attach clips for the stand, however solely three screws are wanted in whole. There’s additionally a thumbscrew to safe the bottom and the stand collectively, then two additional screws to connect the monitor to the mounting plate.

When it sits in your desk, the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD is a really fairly monitor to have a look at, and the added RGB lighting on the rear, known as Mystic Lighting, creates a wonderful aura at evening.

Adjusting the display screen on the stand can also be easy. The hinge isn’t too stiff to start with, so minor angular changes are a formality, and rotating the display screen on a pivot is easy too. With cheaper construct high quality, performing any of those duties can generally really feel such as you’re about to snap one thing, however this was by no means the case with the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD.

MSI MAG 325CQRF QD efficiency

Having been caught within the realm of 1080p, 120Hz displays for a while now, the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD was at all times going to impress me with its out-of-the-box high quality. Granted, I’ve had expertise with loads of high-resolution laptop computer shows, however a standalone monitor is at all times a special beast. 

Earlier than making an attempt any checks, I spent just a few days simply having fun with the monitor and infrequently swapping settings to see what variations I might make. The built-in presets will probably be fantastic for most individuals, however if you wish to go into the finer particulars, you might spend hours refining the show to tailor it to your actual wants.

Each single and multi-monitor output with the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD works splendidly, and there are not any points that I might discover when utilizing this monitor alongside one other 4K show. Working the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD by some primary checks, I discovered zero points with the colour accuracy and scale nor its response occasions. The checks had been run facet by facet in opposition to a 4K IPS display screen, however operating at 1440p and locked to 144Hz to make sure it was an excellent take a look at. I definitely didn’t anticipate finding any points with the show, however I used to be impressed by how indistinguishable the outputs had been, contemplating the already alluded-to debate between IPS and VA.

All testing apart, gaming is the place the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD shines, and It was a pleasure in addition up a spread of video games on this gaming monitor. I attempted an eclectic vary of video games to actually put the monitor by its paces and this primarily consisted of RocoCop: Rogue Metropolis, Resident Evil 2 Remake, Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport, and CS2.

Each recreation was a transparent enchancment over its efficiency with my earlier 1080p, 120Hz IPS LG UltraGear monitor. I already had the perfect efficiency settings for every recreation setup, so it was only a case of accelerating the decision or altering the DLSS output if needed.

Each Forza Horizon 5 and Resident Evil 2 are on reverse ends of the colour scale, with one counting on darkness, gentle rays, and finer particulars, whereas the opposite is a shiny, colourful recreation with a a lot grander world to discover. Hopefully, it’s clear which is which from that description, but when not, Resident Evil 2 took on an entire new environment when I didn’t should drastically alter the brightness and gamma settings to truly see what I used to be doing.

Night time Imaginative and prescient mode got here into play right here, and leaving it on the AI setting, I might see when minor changes had been being made, which was just a little jarring, however the outcome was at all times higher readability. The one potential difficulty right here is that it destroys the impression of the black tones, however I personally by no means felt like I misplaced high quality for the sake of getting Night time Imaginative and prescient enabled.

Forza Horizon 5 is the place I noticed the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD was the improve I had wanted for a lengthy time. The way in which this recreation simply popped off the display screen was unimaginable, and such an improve compared to the earlier show I used to be used to. Aspect-by-side testing in opposition to the IPS panel once more returned little or no variations, and I’ve to imagine that Quantum Dot is doing loads of heavy lifting right here to maintain the standard stage as a result of Horizon 5 is a really vibrant recreation in sure areas and it was so arduous to differentiate any actual winner. Granted, when the IPS panel was upped to its native 4K, it gained out simply.  

Clearly, there’s solely a lot a gaming monitor can do to enhance the gaming expertise, so it’s important to do not forget that your in-game efficiency isn’t going to drastically enhance simply since you’re shifting to a better-quality monitor, as an alternative, efficiency can really take successful if you’re rendering your settings at a better decision. So guarantee you might be snug together with your gaming {hardware} and in-game settings earlier than questioning whether or not the monitor is the issue.

Lastly, the 1000R curve within the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD all however disappears when you’re gaming. I wasn’t offered on curved screens with TVs, however right here it’s an enormous benefit, particularly in a setup the place the display screen is kind of near my face. A 31.5-inch show might simply wash out, however the curved display screen ensures a crystal-clear output always. Nevertheless, the matte panel does undergo from some minor distortion and glare in the event you transfer your head whereas utilizing it. That is extra probably a problem with the truth that it’s VA slightly than IPS, which tends to not undergo from such points.

Must you purchase the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD?

Sure, the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD is a shocking curved VA gaming monitor that knocks it out of the park on efficiency however is priced on the excessive facet when in comparison with some rivals. Priced at  $359.99 / £399.99, you don’t should attempt too arduous to discover a 1440p / 144Hz, 31.5-inch show for the same or cheaper value, however you’ll have to sacrifice on options or design.

All of it comes down as to if or not the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD meets your entire wants, as a result of if it does, then the worth is definitely very good. It’s simply one of the vital versatile and greatest curved gaming displays you should buy in the present day. 

Verdict

Good to go proper out of the field, the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD is a superb gaming monitor that does every thing it may well to shut the hole between IPS and VA panels. If you happen to’re an avid PC gamer with a console on the facet, there aren’t too many extra show options that offers you every thing you want at a really affordable value. 

You possibly can tinker with settings to get the proper view, and built-in options like evening imaginative and prescient can actually make a distinction. A poorly positioned I/O is a ache, particularly if it’s a must to change cables round incessantly, however the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD remains to be a shocking curved gaming monitor that’s properly value your consideration.