After a week of research into literally every aspect of monitors and a budget of $400, I settled on this MAG321CQR and couldn't be happier. I came from a Dell 27" 1080p IPS with gloss finish and consider this an upgrade in every way. I sit at least 37 inches from the display, and would probably consider this too large otherwise.
Before anything, if you have not checked it out already and are still deciding, check out pcpartpicker.com. It's great for comparing products.
I also recommend isthisretina.com to help you decide screen size, resolution, and viewing distance.
Now, what makes this the best bang for your buck at the time of this review? Especially when you consider the AOC CQ32G1 with its additional year of warranty.
1. Convenient OSD. It allows you to adjust screen settings with your mouse using software. Adjust brightness and contrast on the fly, easily switch to Reader mode to protect your eyes, or have the monitor display the refresh rate while gaming. It's really one of those quality of life features that helps you get the most out of your monitor. You can even download an app on your mobile device to switch between profiles or to power it on/off.
2. It looks professional. I'm not big on red accents or cheap plastic. This monitor is sturdy.
3. USB ports. They aren't 3.0 and aren't exactly convenient being on the rear of the panel, but they reduce latency if you use them for your mouse and keyboard receivers and your case is under your desk.
4. Color gamut. 122% sRGB and 92% DCI-P3 coverage. The aforementioned AOC CQ32G1 has similar specs, but other cheaper models may not. Coming from an IPS, the colors seem comparable. The matte finish is actually preferable for me since reflections were a major issue with my Dell.
5. Samsung panel. MSI uses Samsung displays with this model. Samsung is one of the leading manufacturers of quality LED displays and masters of quality control, so it's definitely a plus.
6. Curve. Better than flat displays at this size unless you're using it as a TV I suppose. It really draws you in.
As for the display in general, my initial reaction was it's big. You'll need to sit 37 inches away for it to become retina, which is the point at which the average person can no longer discern pixels. At least according to the late Steve Jobs.
One of the first things I did was go to Netflix and figured out I need the Microsoft Edge browser to stream above 720p. Hold Ctrl+shift+alt+D to see your resolution while in Netflix if you're curious. I'll definitely be watching more videos now.
CONS
I'm just nitpicking, but the blue power light on the bottom right is bright if you look at it from the same height. It just happens to match my bed level, so usually either position something in front of it or turn the monitor off before bed.
My other complaint is that the stand's weight is distributed to the front of the two legs and the rear of the stand, so that you may not be able to push it as far back as you'd like without having it tilt off the desk and lean against the wall. Minor since you can still tilt the screen to remain level. This design also means you'll need a larger monitor riser.
G-Sync works great. No dead pixels. Great refresh. Great brightness. Great contrast. The only missing feature is HDR due to it not having the required brightness, but it really isn't worth the extra money considering gaming issues associated with it. All in all, it's phenomenal.
Lastly, for comparison, one of the best 27" monitors, the LG 27GL83A-B, goes for a similar price, but features a groundbreaking 1ms IPS. If size isn't as important, that may be preferable.
UPDATE: 5/6/20
After a few weeks of casual use, I realized ghosting is a real issue with Nvidia cards unless you enable G-SYNC. Once enabled, it disappeared.
| Standing screen display size | 31.5 Inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 2560x1440 |
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
