One of the worst things a PC gamer can do is to splurge on a brand new CPU and GPU while being as cheap as possible on the monitor. Displays that max out at only 1080p and 60 Hz aren't doing graphics cards any justice these days as even the mid-range GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is capable of pushing beyond 60 FPS in many titles.
Users in the market for a better display without breaking the bank may want to consider the 27-inch MSI Optix G271 gaming monitor that's currently on sale for $170 USD. This particular model offers a handful of desirable features considering the price point including very fast response times to reduce ghosting, a 144 Hz native refresh rate for ultra-smooth motion, AMD FreeSync to eliminate tearing, and a large 27-inch screen size. We also appreciate that the monitor isn't curved which would have artificially bumped up the price, anyway.
There are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind. Firstly, this model is the G271 and not G271C meaning it will not support G-Sync. Secondly, its PPI is rather low and so games won't look as sharp as some users may like. Even so, the attractive price point makes this one worth a hard look.
- 27-inch 1080p IPS display (not curved)
- 144 Hz native refresh rate
- 1 ms response time
- 120 percent sRGB coverage
- AMD FreeSync
- 2x HDMI 1.4b, 1x DP 1.2a
- VESA (100 x 100 mm)
- 17.89 in. x 24.11 in. x 8.65 in.
- 9.04 lbs
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Allen Ngo - Lead Editor U.S.
- 5313 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2011
After graduating with a B.S. in environmental hydrodynamics from the University of California, I studied reactor physics to become licensed by the U.S. NRC to operate nuclear reactors. There's a striking level of appreciation you gain for everyday consumer electronics after working with modern nuclear reactivity systems astonishingly powered by computers from the 80s. When I'm not managing day-to-day activities and US review articles on Notebookcheck, you can catch me following the eSports scene and the latest gaming news.