MSI Optix MAG272C review
Our Verdict
The MSI Optix MAG272C features a pleasant curve and decent 1080p operation, although some color and sharpness issues hold information technology dorsum.
For
- Unobtrusive curvature
- Plenty of screen options
- Plays well with headsets
Against
- Some ugly presets
- Unwieldy menus
- Virtually no bending or height options
Tom's Guide Verdict
The MSI Optix MAG272C features a pleasant curve and decent 1080p operation, although some color and sharpness issues concur it dorsum.
Pros
- +
Unobtrusive curvature
- +
Plenty of screen options
- +
Plays well with headsets
Cons
- -
Some ugly presets
- -
Unwieldy menus
- -
Almost no angle or height options
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Specs
Screen Size: 27 inches
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh Rate: 165 Hz
Inputs: DisplayPort, HDMI, 3.5 mm sound, USB-A, USB-B, USB-C
Dimensions: 24.1 x 17.9 10 8.9 inches
The MSI Optix MAG272C is the commencement curved gaming monitor that I've ever enjoyed using. For years, I've been skeptical of the format, believing that curves are a fancy aesthetic affect more than a way to build immersion. But the Optix MAG272C demonstrates that curved monitors demand not be pretentious, or excessively large, or even especially expensive. At $300 (or less), the Optix MAG272C earns its pocket-size asking price with an elegant design and good functionality overall.
Granted, the Optix MAG272C doesn't quite deliver in a few primal areas. Some of its presets are downright ugly, and navigating its myriad options tin can be difficult, regardless of whether you practice so via hardware or software. Reaching the ports is a hurting, and peak and bending options are almost nonexistent.
Still, every bit curved 1080p models become, the Optix MAG272C is one of the best gaming monitors yous can buy, especially at the cost. Read our full MSI Optix MAG272C review to learn why.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Price and availability
While the MSI Optix MAG272C generally costs $300, information technology can get for every bit little equally $250 or equally much as $600, depending on the retailer.
At the fourth dimension of writing, the monitor is available at Adorama, B&H and CDW, although some retailers are restocking and shipping time volition vary as a upshot.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Design
I'yard of two minds nearly the way the MSI Optix MAG272C looks. On the 1 hand, it'south a handsome machine from an aesthetic perspective, with a gentle 1500R curve, a stately triangular stand up and minimalist bezels. The command nub for the menus is around the back, simply since the monitor is curved, that's not much of a problem. Better withal, in that location's a separate power button on the bottom of the monitor, which makes turning the device on and off simple.
On the other hand, the Optix MAG272C is a existent hurting to gear up. Later on liberating the device from the box (which is not like shooting fish in a barrel; I have never seen a styrofoam container wedged then implacably against a cardboard beat out), there's a rather confusing assembly process for the stand up and the dorsum encompass. Yous can't conform the monitor'due south height, and the screen can tilt only a few degrees in either direction, and then attaching and removing cables is an enormous pain.
This isn't a huge problem for the ability and visual cables, but it can be tricky to connect and disconnect headphones — which is too bad, since I loved the Optix MAG272C's audio routing and retractable headphone stand. Giving the screen more height and tilt options would take solved a lot of the monitor's structural problems.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Screen
The MSI Optix MAG272C features a 27-inch 1080p screen with a 165 Hz refresh rate. The resolution is admittedly on the low end for a mod gaming monitor (fifty-fifty pocket-sized machines tin can generally handle quad Hard disk drive resolutions), although the loftier frame charge per unit is a nice bear on if you prefer performance over looks. Many gaming monitors max out at 144 Hz, then the extra bump could become you higher frame rates than you might otherwise expect.
On paper, the Optix MAG272C doesn't go especially brilliant, averaging 223.six nits. Compare this with the similar Dell 24 Gaming Monitor S2421HGF, which delivers 283.iv nits. In exercise, though, the Optix MAG272C looks plenty vivid; I actually had to turn the brightness downward when I start installed information technology considering the screen was bothering my eyes. Unless you demand to illuminate an entire room, you should exist fine.
Color-wise, the Optix MAG272C has a rich palette, supporting 133.half dozen% of the sRGB spectrum, with a Delta-Due east accuracy of 0.24 (lower is better). Compare and contrast to the Dell 24, which supports simply 106.three% of the sRGB spectrum and has a Delta-E accurateness of 0.23, and it's clear that the Optimx MAG272C has richer colors and merely virtually the same accuracy. For the price, it's a thoroughly decent range of color.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Gaming performance
I tested the Optix MAG272C with a multifariousness of games and genres, and constitute that its performance varied heavily depending on which presets I used. The monitor offers a variety of presets for different genres, such as FPS, RTS and RPG, all of which "optimize" the brightness, frame charge per unit, color saturation, sharpness and other visual parameters. However, while some of these presets enhance the way the games look and perform, others elevate the feel down.
For example: The kickoff game I played was Age of Empires Two: Definitive Edition. With the Enhanced Graphics DLC installed, this game usually looks gorgeous, with deep, rich colors and richly featured maps. Even so, when I turned on the RTS preset, the game looked downright unpleasant. The loftier brightness and contrast washed out the colors, and the artificially loftier sharpness made the villagers and soldiers wait cartoonish. Frame rates hovered around sixty fps in this mode.
Likewise, when I tried playing Overwatch, the FPS preset stripped out a lot of the game's rich colors and details, emphasizing pure performance over aesthetics. I understand that esports players may prefer this arrangement, but there's no reason why you can't accept both in a 1080p monitor.
However, other presets weren't nearly as bad. Using the RPG preset for Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales and Earth of Warcraft, the games' colors looked vibrant and appropriately saturated, while the lower sharpness and effulgence were easy on the optics. The character models in particular looked appropriately defined, with a lot of detail in both their wardrobes and facial expressions. I got frame rates of around 100 fps for each game, but I imagine this could be college if y'all do some tweaking in the hardware menus.
Of course, presets are only function of the overall equation. With enough tweaking, you tin make any game look and play well, thanks to adjustable color options and frame rates. Just be aware that you'll have to exercise a lot of legwork, depending on the genre.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Interface
The good news is that the MSI Optix MAG272C has plenty of interface options. The bad news is that those interface options can go unwieldy and cabalistic.
For decision-making the Optix MAG272C's parameters, you have ii options: The control nub on the back of the monitor, or the MSI Gaming OSD software. No matter which road you take, it's a complicated process.
There are six main options: Gaming, Professional person, Prototype, Input Source, Navi Key and Setting. (Not Settings. If typos drive you basics, then MSI'south interface tools are probably not for you lot.) Gaming is where you'll notice presets and frame rate options. Professional person lets y'all set parameters for productivity work. Image is where you tin can take a deep dive into colour, contrast and more than. Input Source is self-explanatory; Navi Cardinal lets yous adjust shortcuts. And Setting is, well, the settings menu.
I can't fault the Optix MAG272C for including a plethora of options, since you lot can adjust everything from motion blur, to "Night Vision" and "Eye Saver" modes, to programming an onscreen alarm clock. The only problem is that at that place'southward an awful lot of parameters, and information technology's not ever articulate what each 1 of them does.
As well, the MSI OSD software is a little harder to navigate than information technology should exist. Right off the bat, it's obnoxious that you can't control the monitor through the standard MSI Dragon Center software, and have to download a 2nd app. But what's stranger is that the app options don't sync up with the menu options on the monitor itself, mixing and matching various categories and making information technology harder to navigate.
In its defence, the OSD software has more options, including automatically splitting the screen into various side-by-side app windows, and connecting to wireless displays. Simply it'southward still a lot of effort for relatively little return.
MSI Optix MAG272C review: Verdict
In our MSI Optix MAG272C review, we touched on the device'due south strengths and weaknesses, including its color-rich curved screen and its incredibly inconsistent presets. While the Optix MAG272C didn't look good in every single configuration I tried, I even so found a lot to like virtually this monitor. If you tin can ignore some of the presets — or make your own — games can look absolutely gorgeous, and the curved screen is both elegant and subtle.
At $300, the Optix MAG272C is adequately priced, although those who prefer flat monitors should consider the Dell S2421HGF instead.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/msi-optix-mag272c
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