MSI MAG 325CQRF QD review

The gaming monitor market is ultra-competitive proper now, however that generally results in a number of merchandise mixing collectively, and turning into discernible on account of many itemizing comparable options on the product field. I’ve actually been responsible of being overwhelmed by the monitor choices accessible, as an alternative resorting to working my setup by means of 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 while you make your subsequent spherical of upgrades.

MSI isn’t letting its MAG sub-brand ship out simply any outdated 1440p show, anticipating it to be one of many best gaming monitors available on the market. Years of experience within the area have allowed MSI to craft a shocking curved VA show, that immediately makes every little thing you do look cleaner, crisper, and simply outright prettier. Nevertheless, there’s one design overlook that stops the MAG 325CQRF QD wanting perfection.

Execs

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

Cons

MSI MAG 325CQRF QD options

The field options for the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD are very spectacular, as you may count on, however I’ll contact on how they relate to efficiency a bit of afterward. I’ll begin with the plain ones, we now have a 31.5-inch curved WQHD 2560×1440, 170Hz show on a Fast VA (Vertical Alignment) panel. Even with the appearance of OLED screens, the continuing IPS vs VA dialogue has developed quite a bit through the years, however the usually accepted image is that IPS (in-plane switching) nonetheless has a bonus relating to responsiveness and viewing angles – even when VA has closed the hole significantly on the previous – and that VA usually packs superior distinction.

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

Quantum Dot know-how is current, which provides one other layer to the show to reinforce the colour accuracy, improve the colour saturation, and provide a wider distinction ratio. The show additionally conforms to the HDR Prepared commonplace, which primarily means it might 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 truly produce way more eye-popping colours and deeper distinction than many screens that do meet different HDR requirements. Probably the most you’d count on to get out of an IPS show is round 1,200:1 distinction.

The MSI MAG 325CQRF QD helps variable refresh price, with assist for FreeSync Premium. MSI doesn’t listing any form of verified Nvidia G-Sync assist 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 price. A function known as Evening Imaginative and prescient can be current and comes with degree presets or an AI mode to assist detect when a recreation is simply too darkish, tuning the darker colours to stop particulars from disappearing into the shadows.

MSI MAG 325CQRF QD design

Whereas the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD is superb to take a look at, one sensible component of its design falls massively brief, the I/O placement. Residing on a protruding ridge on the rear of the monitor, it’s just about inconceivable to blindly rearrange your connections, and even with the monitor totally prolonged and tilted, I nonetheless needed to bodily choose it as much as change ports round though it is a frequent drawback with many screens. 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 spotted 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 a bit of extra work than some screens however remains to be simple sufficient. There are not any quick-attach clips for the stand, however solely three screws are wanted in complete. 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 take a look at, and the added RGB lighting on the rear, known as Mystic Lighting, creates a ravishing aura at night time.

Adjusting the display on the stand can be easy. The hinge isn’t too stiff to start with, so minor angular changes are a formality, and rotating the display on a pivot is straightforward 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 screens for a while now, the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD was all the time 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 all the time a unique beast. 

Earlier than making an attempt any assessments, I spent a number of days simply having fun with the monitor and infrequently swapping settings to see what variations I might make. The built-in presets will likely be effective for most individuals, however if you wish to go into the finer particulars, you possibly can 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. Operating the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD by means of some fundamental assessments, I discovered zero points with the colour accuracy and scale nor its response occasions. The assessments had been run facet by facet in opposition to a 4K IPS display, however working at 1440p and locked to 144Hz to make sure it was an excellent take a look at. I actually 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 besides up a variety of video games on this gaming monitor. I attempted an eclectic vary of video games to essentially put the monitor by means of its paces and this primarily consisted of RocoCop: Rogue City, 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 crucial.

Each Forza Horizon 5 and Resident Evil 2 are on reverse ends of the colour scale, with one counting on darkness, mild rays, and finer particulars, whereas the opposite is a vibrant, 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 a complete new ambiance when I didn’t need to drastically alter the brightness and gamma settings to truly see what I used to be doing.

Evening 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 a bit of jarring, however the consequence was all the time higher readability. The one potential concern right here is that it destroys the affect of the black tones, however I personally by no means felt like I misplaced high quality for the sake of getting Evening Imaginative and prescient enabled.

Forza Horizon 5 is the place I spotted 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 was unimaginable, and such an improve compared to the earlier show I used to be used to. Facet-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 a variety of heavy lifting right here to maintain the standard degree as a result of Horizon 5 is a really vibrant recreation in sure areas and it was so onerous 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 keep in mind 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 truly take successful in case you are rendering your settings at the next decision. So guarantee you’re snug along 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 if you end up gaming. I wasn’t bought on curved screens with TVs, however right here it’s an enormous benefit, particularly in a setup the place the display is kind of near my face. A 31.5-inch show might simply wash out, however the curved display ensures a crystal-clear output always. Nevertheless, the matte panel does endure from some minor distortion and glare should you transfer your head whereas utilizing it. That is extra doubtless a difficulty with the truth that it’s VA reasonably than IPS, which tends to not endure 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 opponents. Priced at  $359.99 / £399.99, you don’t need to attempt too onerous 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 whether 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 crucial versatile and best curved gaming monitors you should buy as we speak. 

Verdict

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

You’ll be able to tinker with settings to get the right view, and built-in options like night time imaginative and prescient can actually make a distinction. A poorly positioned I/O is a ache, particularly if you must swap cables round often, however the MSI MAG 325CQRF QD remains to be a shocking curved gaming monitor that’s properly value your consideration.