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MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 Review: Impressive, bang-for-the-buck QHD 180 Hz gaming monitor

Goldilocks visuals.

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 aims to offer a viable QHD 180 Hz gaming experience for budget-conscious gamers. The MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers an excellent feature set and matching performance at nearly half the price of some of its competitors. We test out if this means cutting more corners than needed or whether the MAG 274QRF QD E2 is the perfect value for money proposition.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam 👁 Published 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 ...
Monitor Gaming Desktop

Verdict: An excellent QHD gaming monitor that doesn't break the bank

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers a lot of monitor for $280. You get a high-performing QHD quantum dot IPS panel with vivid colors and no PWM. There are also a good number of QoL features including KVM, AMD FreeSync support, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, and a dedicated console mode.

The MAG 274QRF QD E2's build quality and design will not turn heads but is quite functional and gets the basics right. Navigating the OSD is pretty straightforward, and you can also optionally make use of MSI's Gaming Intelligence for easier controls if you don't mind the bloat.

Connectivity options have the bases covered, and the USB Type-C port supports 65 W power delivery and DisplayPort alt mode.

While the MAG 274QRF QD E2 impresses for the most part, it is not without some obvious quirks. The 180 Hz refresh rate isn't really groundbreaking, and the HDMI 2.0b port is limited to 144 Hz.

It is not clear if MSI would be offering any firmware updates for this model, although the option is available in the app.

Out-of-the-box color accuracy is not that great, and MSI's claimed 1 ms response was not attainable during testing. Still, the monitor performs on par or better than the MSI Optix MAG274QRX that costs nearly twice as much.

This isn't the isn't the cheapest QHD 180 Hz monitor on the market. But if you can ignore some of its shortcomings, the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 does make a worthy consideration for gamers and budding creators alike.

Pros

+ 400 nits SDR and HDR brightness
+ Good colors and no PWM
+ Built-in KVM switch
+ USB Type-C w/ DisplayPort alt and 65 W PD
+ Economic power consumption

Cons

- VESA stand mount not tool-free
- Only base tier AMD FreeSync
- HDMI port refresh rate limited to 144 Hz
- Firmware update status not clear
- GtG response times can be better

Price and Availability

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 is currently priced at $268 on Amazon US and $280 at Best Buy US.

In India, the MAG 274QRD QD E2 is available for ₹29,199 on Amazon India. Lower prices around the ₹25,000 mark are possible with local retailers.

Competitors for the MAG 274QRF QD E2 include the Asus TUF Gaming VG27AQ3A ($250 on Amazon), LG 27G60QC-B Ultragear Curved ($227 on Amazon), Acer Nitro XV271U ($179 on Amazon), Gigabyte GS27Q ($184 on Amazon), and AOC Q27G4XN ($180 on Amazon) among others 

Amazon Logo
$249.99
MSI MAG274QRFQDE2, 27-inch QHD 2560 x 1440 Computer Monitor, 180Hz, HDMI, 1ms, Black

QHD monitors continue to remain popular as decent midway options between cheap 1080p and expensive UHD options, particularly when paired with mid-range graphics cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super or the AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT.

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2, not to be confused with the more expensive MSI Optix MAG274QRF-QD, launched earlier this year as a viable QHD 180 Hz offering for $280 or ₹25,000. 

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers features such as a quantum dot IPS panel, AMD FreeSync, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, and fast response times among others. It is offered with a three-year global warranty.

In this review, we take a look at the MAG 274QRD QD E2, compare it with high-end options like the Optix MAG274QRX, and see if the $280 asking price demands significant compromises.

Build quality: No frills plastic construction with a sprinkle of RGB

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 weighs 3.95 kg without the stand and is built entirely of plastic without oozing any premium vibe. The construction is sturdy overall, but a minor creak or two is par for the course at this price.

There is an RGB strip at the back to lure the gaming demographic, but the monitor still fits well in a professional setting.

A VESA mounting stand with 75 mm x 75 mm screws comes in the box. The stand and its square base feel well-built and have no issues bearing the weight of the monitor.

However, unlike many modern monitors, assembling the stand isn't completely a tool-less affair as the stand bracket needs to be secured in the monitor groove with the two provided screws. The complete assembly tips the scales at 6.05 kg net weight.

MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Front
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Front
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Back
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Back
MAG 274QRF QD E2. (Image Source: MSI)
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2. (Image Source: MSI)
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2. (Image Source: MSI)

Sustainability

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 is TÜV Rheinland-certified for low blue light emissions and flicker-free operation.

MSI states that the monitor is designed to be easily dismantled and recycled and has limited use of hazardous substances. Recycling is directly facilitated by MSI

The packaging is mostly made of recyclable cardboard and thermocol, with plastic only used for enclosing the cables and the paperwork.

Features and specifications: QHD 180 Hz with FreeSync, DisplayHDR 400, and KVM

The box contents include the MAG 274QRF QD E2 itself, VESA mounting stand, a DisplayPort 1.4a cable, a USB Type-B to Type-A upstream cable, and the power adapter. A HDMI cable is not provided.

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 is a 27-inch QHD (2,560 x 1,440) 180 Hz monitor featuring a quantum dot Rapid IPS panel.

The panel is rated to offer 400 nits brightness and a 1,000:1 contrast ratio typical of IPS displays. The 400 nits brightness earns the MAG 274QRF a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification.

Other advertised features include 1 ms grey-to-grey response times along with 150% sRGB, 94% Adobe RGB, and 98% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. We will test these claims in the course of this review.

MSI also says that the monitor can display a billion colors, but this is 8-bit with frame rate control (FRC) that simulates a 10-bit color depth.

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 supports the base tier AMD FreeSync. Curiously, variable refresh rate (VRR) needs to be manually enabled while pairing with Nvidia GPUs.

There's also a built-in KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch for sharing peripherals between two connected computers alongside picture-in-picture (PiP) and picture-by-picture (PbP) modes.

MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Specifications
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Specifications
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Specifications contd.
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Specifications contd.

Connectivity: 144 Hz HDMI and USB-C 65 W Power Delivery

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 has a decent port selection. You get 1x DisplayPort 1.4a and 2x HDMI 2.0b ports as standard video inputs.

Additionally, a USB Type-C port with DisplayPort alt mode and 65 W power delivery helps connect mobile devices and charge them simultaneously.

There are a total of three USB 2.0 ports, one of which is a Type-B upstream port that enables control via the Gaming Intelligence app. The other two are regular Type-A ports for connecting external peripherals.

The HDMI input is limited to 144 Hz, so we connected the monitor to our Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition GPU via the DisplayPort to maximize the 180 Hz refresh rate.

Consoles gamers can connect the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 to the HDMI port for 1080p or 1440p 120 Hz gaming. The HDMI port also supports Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) to automatically power on the monitor when the CEC device is turned on.

Left to right: DC-in, Headphone-out, 2x HDMI 2.0b-in, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a-in, USB Type-C (w/ DisplayPort Alt mode and 65 W Power Delivery), USB 2.0 Type-B upstream, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
Left to right: DC-in, Headphone-out, 2x HDMI 2.0b-in, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a-in, USB Type-C (w/ DisplayPort Alt mode and 65 W Power Delivery), USB 2.0 Type-B upstream, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A

Settings: Firmware updates possible but none listed yet

The MAG 274QRF's settings are accessible via a 4-way joystick at the bottom right rear. Alternatively, you can also use MSI's Gaming Intelligence app to control display settings if the monitor is connected to the PC via the Type-B upstream cable.

The OSD and Gaming Intelligence settings are similar to what we've described before in the MAG 274UPF review. One notable difference, though, is that the MAG 274QRF's OSD is a lot less cluttered with no Smart Crosshair or Optix Scope settings.

The MAG 274QRF technically supports firmware updates, but there are none currently listed on the monitor's official support page. Neither the OSD nor Gaming Intelligence show the exact version of the firmware being used. 

MSI still continues to bundle Norton 360 bloat within Gaming Intelligence's setup, significantly increasing the download size.

MSI Gaming Intelligence: Landing page
MSI Gaming Intelligence: Landing page
PiP/PbP settings
PiP/PbP settings
Keyboard and mouse settings
Keyboard and mouse settings
System settings
System settings
Navigation key settings
Navigation key settings
 

Display quality: Good colors, decent response times, and no PWM

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 shows minor backlight bleeding along the top and bottom edges under long exposure, but this is to be expected with IPS displays. The subpixels are relatively larger and appear densely packed even though the 109 PPI pixel density isn't too high.

MSI offers several display presets, but we performed all measurements and calibration after a factory reset in the default settings with the brightness set to 100%.

The MAG 274QRF achieves a peak brightness of 453 nits with a decent 84% brightness distribution, although we do observe somewhat larger illumination deviations.

We measured a 1,618:1 contrast ratio, which should lend itself to good blacks.

No prominent backlight bleed along the edges
No prominent backlight bleed along the edges
Subpixel matrix with matte coating
Subpixel matrix with matte coating
Screen illumination uniformity
Screen illumination uniformity
379
cd/m²
397
cd/m²
424
cd/m²
390
cd/m²
453
cd/m²
417
cd/m²
381
cd/m²
388
cd/m²
408
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
MAG 274QRF QD E2 tested with X-Rite i1Basic Pro 3
Maximum: 453 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 404.1 cd/m² Minimum: 52 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Contrast: 1618:1 (Black: 0.28 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 7.97 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9, calibrated: 1.71
ΔE Greyscale 8.2 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
88.9% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
99.7% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
97.6% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 1.46
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2
IPS, 2560x1440, 27", 180 Hz
MSI Optix MAG274QRX
IPS, 2560x1400, 27", 240 Hz
Alienware AW2725DF
QD-OLED , 2560x1440, 27", 360 Hz
KTC G27P6
OLED, 2560x1440, 27", 240 Hz
MSI MAG 274UPF
IPS, 3840x2160, 27", 144 Hz
Philips Evnia 34M2C8600
QD OLED, 3440x1440, 34", 175 Hz
Display
-1%
2%
-4%
-0%
2%
Display P3 Coverage
97.6
87.5
-10%
98.2
1%
86.91
-11%
92.47
-5%
98.4
1%
sRGB Coverage
99.7
99.9
0%
100
0%
99.23
0%
99.26
0%
99.9
0%
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
88.9
96.3
8%
93.9
6%
86.86
-2%
92.6
4%
93.9
6%
Response Times
-5%
97%
86%
-33%
76%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
5.76 ?(2.63, 3.13)
6.23 ?(2.83, 3.4)
-8%
0.165 ?(0.091, 0.074)
97%
0.8 ?(0.4, 0.4)
86%
8.89 ?(4.43, 4.46)
-54%
1.4 ?(0.6, 0.8)
76%
Response Time Black / White *
5.73 ?(2.9, 2.83)
5.83 ?(2.85, 2.98)
-2%
0.213 ?(0.106, 0.107)
96%
0.8 ?(0.4, 0.4)
86%
6.44 ?(3.77, 2.67)
-12%
1.4 ?(0.6, 0.8)
76%
PWM Frequency
360 ?(100)
240
175
Screen
-25%
7%
85%
-18%
23%
Brightness middle
453
351
-23%
246
-46%
320
-29%
393
-13%
231
-49%
Brightness
404
329
-19%
245
-39%
310
-23%
350
-13%
210
-48%
Brightness Distribution
84
89
6%
97
15%
93
11%
81
-4%
85
1%
Black Level *
0.28
0.33
-18%
0.02
93%
0.38
-36%
0.1
64%
Contrast
1618
1064
-34%
16000
889%
1034
-36%
2310
43%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
7.97
7.28
9%
4.89
39%
10.69
-34%
6.28
21%
2.02
75%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
14.32
16.15
-13%
6.97
51%
15.63
-9%
10.29
28%
5.12
64%
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated *
1.71
3.61
-111%
2.06
-20%
4.11
-140%
3.7
-116%
2.02
-18%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
8.2
10.3
-26%
4.4
46%
7.73
6%
7.3
11%
2.11
74%
Gamma
1.46 151%
2.15 102%
1.8 122%
2.2 100%
2 110%
2.49 88%
CCT
7427 88%
9378 69%
6484 100%
8070 81%
7896 82%
6229 104%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-10% / -17%
35% / 21%
56% / 66%
-17% / -16%
34% / 26%

* ... smaller is better

MSI claims that the MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers 150% sRGB coverage. This is just a fancy way of conveying that the monitor has a wider color gamut.

In practice, we find that the display covers the full sRGB spectrum along with nearly 98% of Display P3 and 89% of Adobe RGB. This makes for versatile use across gaming, multimedia, and productivity tasks.

Subjectively, the MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers a vibrant viewing experience with fairly deep blacks for an IPS panel.

vs. sRGB: 99.7% coverage
vs. sRGB: 99.7% coverage
vs. Adobe RGB: 88.9% coverage
vs. Adobe RGB: 88.9% coverage
vs. Display P3: 97.6% coverage
vs. Display P3: 97.6% coverage

We see high average DeltaE 2000 values of 8.2 and 7.97 in Grayscale and ColorChecker measurements, respectively, indicating that the MAG 274QRF QD E2 isn't calibrated well ex-works.

We noticed a drastic improvement in these values with our calibration routine using the X-Rite i1Basic Pro 3 spectrophotometer and the Calman Ultimate software from Portrait Displays. The average Grayscale DeltaE 2000 is now just 0.9, and it decreased to 1.71 for ColorChecker. However, the panel still has trouble in accurately reproducing the 100% Blue part of the spectrum.

The calibrated ICC profile can be downloaded from the link above.

Grayscale before calibration
Grayscale before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
ColorChecker before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Saturation Sweeps before calibration
Grayscale after calibration
Grayscale after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
ColorChecker after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration
Saturation Sweeps after calibration

HDR characteristics

MSI says that the MAG 274QRF QD E2 is VESA DisplayHDR 400-certified. However, this is just VESA's bare minimum HDR spec and not true HDR.

That being said, we observed a consistent 450 nits of peak luminance across all average picture level (APL) window sizes from 2% to 100%.

The HDR mode shows poor EOTF tracking and large color deviations. However, it can still be useful for taking advantage of Windows 11's Auto HDR feature and Nvidia's RTX HDR in games.

Peak luminance vs. window size
Peak luminance vs. window size
Grayscale and EOTF tracking in Rec.2020 color space
Grayscale and EOTF tracking in Rec.2020 color space
ColorMatch HDR in Rec.2020
ColorMatch HDR in Rec.2020
CIE L*a*b color volume in HDR mode
CIE L*a*b color volume in HDR mode
Relatively stable viewing angles
Relatively stable viewing angles

Being an IPS panel, the MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers stable 178° vertical and horizontal viewing angles.

The included VESA mounting stand allows for a wide range of movements including 0 to 130 mm height, -5° to 20° tilt, -45° to 45° swivel, -90° to 90° pivot.

There is only minimal brightness loss at extreme angles, but the colors remain largely intact.

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
5.73 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 2.9 ms rise
↘ 2.83 ms fall
The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 15 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
5.76 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 2.63 ms rise
↘ 3.13 ms fall
The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 15 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms).

As is the case with most MSI gaming monitors, you get three response time options: Fast (default), Normal, and Fastest.

In the default Fast mode, the MAG 274QRF QD E2 takes 5.73 ms for transition from 100% black to 100% white (BtW) and 5.76 ms to shift from 50% grey to 80% grey (GtG).

The Normal and Fastest modes see BtW times of 5.77 ms and 5.9 ms, respectively, which is not very different from what we observed in the default Fast mode.

Therefore, these response time settings primarily impact only the GtG transitions. Switching over to Normal increases the GtG times to 8.68 ms.

Our testing does not confirm MSI's 1 ms GtG response time claims. Even in the Fastest mode, the lowest combined GtG time we measured was 3.01 ms, and that comes with a noticeable overshoot.

Response times: Normal mode, 100% Black to 100% White: 5.77 ms
Response times: Normal mode, 100% Black to 100% White: 5.77 ms
Response times: Normal mode, 50% Grey to 80% Grey: 8.68 ms
Response times: Normal mode, 50% Grey to 80% Grey: 8.68 ms
Response times: Fastest mode, 100% Black to 100% White: 5.9 ms
Response times: Fastest mode, 100% Black to 100% White: 5.9 ms
Response times: Fastest mode, 50% Grey to 80% Grey: 3.01 ms
Response times: Fastest mode, 50% Grey to 80% Grey: 3.01 ms

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM not detected ≤ 100 % brightness setting

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8623 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured.

0% brightness: No PWM
0% brightness: No PWM
10% brightness: No PWM
10% brightness: No PWM
25% brightness: No PWM
25% brightness: No PWM
50% brightness: No PWM
50% brightness: No PWM
75% brightness: No PWM
75% brightness: No PWM
100% brightness: No PWM
100% brightness: No PWM

We did not detect PWM at all tested brightness levels, which is good news for your eyes if you are planning extended gaming sessions.

For more information, check out our article "Why Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) is such a headache" and also our PWM Ranking Table for a comparison of measured PWM frequencies across reviewed devices.

Moving Picture Response Time (MPRT)

In MPRT mode, the MAG 274QRF QD E2 syncs the backlight with the refresh rate to minimize ghosting.

This means that the backlight persists only for the duration of one refresh cycle, thus resulting in the brightness dropping down to just 255 nits.

Accordingly, we see a 180 Hz PWM frequency that matches with the monitor's refresh rate while the BtW and GtG response times drop down to 1.162 ms and 0.405 ms, respectively.

180 Hz PWM with MPRT on
180 Hz PWM with MPRT on
1.162 ms 100% black to 100% white response time with MPRT on
1.162 ms 100% black to 100% white response time with MPRT on
0.405 ms 50% grey to 80% grey response time with MPRT on
0.405 ms 50% grey to 80% grey response time with MPRT on

Emissions: Warmer display side during use

The MAG 274QRF warms up to 32 °C towards the bottom of the panel on the screen side at 100% brightness and an ambient temperature of 23 °C.

We did not observe any major heating concerns with the monitor during testing.

MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Front
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Front
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Rear
MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2: Rear

Power consumption: Eco mode doesn't offer much tangible benefit

The MAG 274QRF QD E2 is a frugal power sipper for the most part. Standby consumption is particularly low at just 0.26 W.

At 100% brightness and a 180 Hz refresh rate, the MAG 274QRF draws 32.4 W. Switching over to Eco mode strangely does not reduce power draws.

MPRT mode shows the least consumption at 24 W due to reduced brightness and backlight strobing. 

Operating mode Average power draw (W)
Standby 0.26
Eco mode 32.40
50% brightness 24.11
100% brightness (60 Hz) 30.58
100% brightness (180 Hz) 32.41
HDR mode 35.12
MPRT mode 23.97

Notebookcheck's impression of the MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2

The MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 offers a lot of monitor at the $280 price point making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking at a capable QHD gaming monitor that doesn't dent a hole in the wallet.

Transparency

The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.

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Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > MSI MAG 274QRF QD E2 Review: Impressive, bang-for-the-buck QHD 180 Hz gaming monitor
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 2024-12-12 (Update: 2024-12-12)