MSI MPG 271QRX review: a feature-rich gaming powerhouse that can't be missed

MSI MPG 271QRX: One-minute review

This year has seen MSI enter the QD-OLED gaming monitor space with several releases through its MPG series. Think of QD-OLED monitors as updated versions of OLED displays with four elements to create an image including an LED backlight, a layer of quantum dots, an LCD matrix, and color filter. Though they’ve already been popular in the high-end television space for a while, they’ve recently entered the gaming market. 

The MSI MPG 271QRX is about as fine an example of what an entry-level QD-LED gaming monitor can offer, though its $800 price tag might make some balk at the term 'entry-level' in this case. 

What you get for that money though is fantastic. The 27-inch display features a 1440p resolution with a 360Hz refresh rate in addition to an exceptionally fast 0.03ms response time, making it a killer esports display. On a surface level, these attributes are fairly standard for what someone would consider one of the best 1440p gaming monitors, but the QD-LED panel significantly increases image quality beyond the standard QHD display, alongside having both VESE certification for DisplayHDR True Black 400 and Clear 13000. 

From enjoying the visual benchmarks set by games like Alan Wake II and Cyberpunk 2077 to competitive shooters such as Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, the MPG 271QRX does a fine job of blending high-end image quality with speedy performance. Even the color accuracy matches Apple displays in terms of creative tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. 

That doesn’t even count the loads of extras such as MSI’s OLED Care 2.0 which improves the durability of the QD-OLED screen in addition to Gaming Intelligence for enhancing the gaming experience through crosshair overlay, customizable RGB lit back panel, and KVM capabilities. 

Most importantly, MSI managed to throw in a three-year burn-in warranty as well, critical for any OLED display nowadays. The accumulation of all these fine attributes makes the MSI MPG 271QRX one of the finest examples of a 27-inch 1440p gaming display available today, and well worth the price of entry. 

MSI MPG 271QRX : Price & availability

The MSI MPG 271QRX is available now in the U.S., UK and Australia for $799.99 (£999.00, AU$1,799). Through the MSI store, there are buyer links to various online stores depending on the territory. Retailers in the U.S. include MSI’s own store, Micro Center, and NewEgg among others. 

Within the 27-inch 1440p OLED gaming monitor race, the MPG 27QRX’s main competitor is the $800 Alienware AW2725DF. Outside of the price difference, there isn’t a wide difference between the two as far as image quality and performance goes. 

This is where feature sets come in and this will largely depend on user preference. If both MPG 271QRX and AW2725DF are too much, the KTC 27-inch standard OLED gaming monitor for $699 might be a better bet for more budget-friendly OLED panels.

• Value: 4 / 5

MSI MPG 271QRX: Design

• Various poseabilty settings 
• Plenty of ports 

The design of the MSI MPG 271QRX is such a wonderful union of fantastic visual design and purposeful functionality in nearly every aspect. Even the setup is pretty straightforward with the base and neck design that clips into the back panel. One of the cool things about the design is that poseability is good enough to use the MPG 271QRX in a vertical position if a portrait setting is needed. 

There’s a singular power port facing down near the other ports that goes straight to a plug. Meanwhile, PC gamers with multiple consoles will appreciate having a singular DisplayPort and two HDMI 2.1 ports. There’s also an additional USB-C with DisplayPort and 90w charging as well. Other ports include a USB-B for KVM capabilities with the additional two USB-A ports. 

Once powered on, it's easy to notice the bright RGB logo that features customizable lighting through the in-display design. It does add a nice flair to the all-black colorway and angular back panel. Though the display is relatively thin, the center in the back panel does protrude outward for things like the head sink alongside other components. 

The front of the display has thin bezels on the top and sides with the bottom displaying the MSI logo. On the bottom of the back panel is a small thumb stick that sits between the power and KVM buttons. Finally, there is the beautifully glossy QD-OLED display that also has some amazing anti-glare and anti-reflective coating. Without even turning the MPG 27QRX on, it stands out visually among even the best gaming monitors.

• Design 4.5 / 5

MSI MPG 271QRX: Features

• Nice amount of screen image retention options
• Game Intelligence and KVM capabilities are great

If the MSI MPG 27QRX doesn't already look jaw-droppingly gorgeous and provide silky smooth performance, its feature set is also fairly hefty. 

The first is totally focused on screen image retention through a graphite film back and custom-made heatsink which eliminates the need for a fan. Then there’s MSI OLED Care 2.0 which is a system designed to reduce the OLED screen burn-in through pixel shift, panel protection through pixel refresh, and static screen detection. Carrying over from the previous OLED care system includes static multi-logo and taskbar detection. Making the deal sweeter is a three-year burn-in warranty from MSI. 

Outside of standard color correction and game mode features, the MPG 27QRX has Gaming Intelligence. This includes various smart crosshair overlays alongside Optix Scope which provides a built-in aim magnifier. The most interesting one is A.I. Vision which uses deep learning to reveal more details in the dark areas of a game without messing up graphical detail. Through the same in-display menu, users can also change the color of the lit logo on the back panel. 

The MPG 27QRX also offers KVM like most premium gaming monitors of the modern era. KVM allows users to use the same keyboard and mouse combo through another device connected to the display. It’s become popular for individuals who stream from one device and play on another. 

For console gamers, there’s a console-specific Console mode that automatically accepts 4K signals while supporting HDR.

• Features: 4 / 5

MSI MPG 271QRX: Performance

• Image quality and performance are top notch 
• 360Hz refresh rate makes this one of the best OLED monitors for esports 

For $800, the MSI MPG 27QRX most definitely makes good on its image quality and performance. Having the QD-OLED display opens up users to bold and crisp colors in addition to deep blacks. VESE certification for DisplayHDR True Black 400 and Clear 13000 enhances HDR visuals to the stratosphere. 

Playing more visually arresting games like Alan Wake II, Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Motorsport (2023), and even indie games like Children of the Sun are just beautiful visually. Color accuracy is more than respectable in terms of video and photo editing. There’s no better way to create content, game, and view videos on a 27-inch 1440p display. 

Having a 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms definitely will give players a significant competitive edge in more esports games if they have the PC hardware to support it. Games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III not only look fantastic but give exceptionally smooth motion without latency.

• Performance: 5 / 5

MSI MPG 271QRX: Specs

Should I buy the MSI MPG 271QRX?

Buy the MSI MPG 271QRX if… 

Don’t buy it if… 

Also Consider

How I tested the MSI MPG 271QRX:

For the review, the MSI MPG 271QRX was tested over a period of two weeks. During the day, most of the taks revolved around using Google Chrome and Slack. This allowed the use of Google Docs, use management software Asana alongside social media management tools like Hootsuite. 

Outside of that, other software mainly used was Slack to communicate with different channels. It was here where we tested general everyday use of the gaming monitor. 

In order to test out overall image quality, games played included Alan Wake II, Hogwarts Legacy, and Children of the Sun. This was done to see how games looked on technical visual levels alongside art direction. To test performance and game enhancement features, games such as Helldivers 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III were played. 

I’ve spent the past several years covering monitors alongside other PC components for Techradar. Outside of gaming, I’ve been proficient in Adobe Suite for over a decade as well. 

• First reviewed May 2024