MSI G274QPF E2 review: affordable IPS gamer monitor with 180Hz refresh rate

Over the last few years, 27-inch monitors with a resolution of 2560x1440 (WQHD) have become a kind of mass standard, and today the gg editorial team has reviewed this MSI G274QPF E2, which can be classified as an affordable gaming model. It has a high-quality and bright 27-inch Rapid IPS-matrix with a refresh rate of 180 Hz, pixel response time of 1 ms and support for Adaptive-Sync. The monitor has the basic essentials of DisplayPort 1.4a, 2xHDMI 2.0b, and Type-C with 15W Power Delivery, so you can charge your smartphone. The stand allows you to adjust the position of the monitor in all planes and in wide ranges. Considering the price of $220, it is difficult to find weighty disadvantages in the monitor. Unless the USB hub for connecting peripherals was quite appropriate.

Among the competitors in this category we can single out only a slightly more expensive Philips 27M1N5500ZA, which has a lower brightness, but equipped with a USB-hub. And close enough in price and characteristics Acer Nitro VG271UM3bmiipx, which has a much simpler stand.

4 reasons to buy MSI G274QPF E2 monitor:

• 27-inch bright Rapid IPS monitor with a resolution of 2560x1440 (WQHD)
• 180Hz refresh rate, 1ms pixel response time
• DisplayPort 1.4a, 2xHDMI 2.0b, and Type-C with 15W Power Delivery support
• Functional stand

1 reason not to buy the MSI G274QPPF E2 monitor:

• A USB hub would have been appropriate

MSI G274QPF E2 review content:

• MSI G274QPF E2 package
• MSI G274QPF E2 Design
• Usability and connectivity of the MSI G274QPF E2
• Image Quality MSI G274QPF E2
• How did the MSI G274QPF E2 perform?
• Review results: What you should know about the MSI G274QPF E2

MSI G274QPF E2 monitor package

Delivery set MSI MPG 274URF QD did not surprise with anything unusual. The box contains the necessary minimum. In addition to the monitor, stand and stand, there is a DisplayPort 1.4a cable, power supply, power cable, sets of screws for attaching the stand to the monitor, replaceable screws for VESA mounting, as well as documentation.

MSI G274QPF E2 monitor design

Recently we had a more expensive MSI MPG 274URF QD on our review. The hero of today's review has almost identical design and construction with only one small difference. So we have a typical modern "frameless" monitor of a small format, which has a quite neutral and universal appearance. At the front there are only MSI logo on the bar under the screen. The monitor is almost entirely made of matte black plastic.

The stand has a familiar octagonal shape for many current gaming models and occupies relatively little space. The base is metal, which adds weight and stability to the whole construction.

Like the aforementioned MSI MPG 274URF QD, today's MSI G274QPF E2 has a back cover with a geometric pattern, which is formed by lines at different angles. On the left side is the MSI gaming line logo. There is a small triangular glossy inset just above the leg attachment point. In the older model it has RGB-lighting, here we decided to leave it without it. There is another glossy decorative insert along the foot.

The foot is attached in the middle part of the monitor and is additionally fixed with screws. Instead of it you can screw in additional complete screws, which will allow you to attach the monitor to a third-party stand or hang it on the wall. VESA 75x75 standard.

The only control organ is a classic five-position joystick in red colour.

The panel with connectors is placed behind the stand in a small cutout and is directed downwards.

MSI, we can say, has unified the design of the current line of its gaming monitors. And some models are difficult to distinguish from each other. But it's hard to call it a drawback, given that the design is quite universal, nothing will distract from the picture on the screen.

Ease of use and connectivity of the MSI G274QPF E2 monitor

MSI G274QPF E2 uses just a hole in the bottom of the leg for neat cable routing. And this is quite enough. Yes, there are models with an internal cable channel through the whole leg, but this is more inherent in more expensive models.

The leg and stand have the same functionality as the above-mentioned model, so it is possible to adjust the position of the monitor in different planes. The tilt angle of the monitor can be adjusted from +20° to -5°.

It is possible to rotate the monitor by 30° in each direction.

The height of the position can be adjusted in the range of 110 mm.

It is possible to turn the MSI G274QPF E2 in portrait mode by 90°.

The set of connectors is very good, as for an inexpensive model. There are two HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4a and USB Type-C with DisplayPort support and Power Delivery 15W. So via Type-C you can not only connect your picture source, but also charge gadgets from it. Although now the 15W power for charging is a bit small.

Five-position joystick for monitor settings is implemented absolutely standard, so there will be no problems with its use.

MSI G274QPF E2 screen menu is quite familiar and convenient. All settings are divided into several sections. In the first section Gaming there is a choice of video modes, Night Vision (backlighting of dark parts of the image), Adaptive Sync, matrix overclocking (Response Time), on-screen frame rate counter, etc. In the Professional section there are additional colour display modes, blue reduction, image enhancement function and selection of screen colour gamut. The Image section is responsible for manual adjustment of brightness, contrast and colour temperature. The Input Source section is responsible for selecting the signal source: there is automatic or manual switching. PIP/PBP - setting of picture-in-picture modes. Navi Key - setting of quick functions on joystick deflection. Settings - system settings: language and menu transparency, LED indicator settings, backlight, HDMI CEC, reset settings, etc.

In older gaming models, the proprietary Gaming Intelligence application is used for PC-based settings, it requires an additional USB connection. To configure the MSI G274QPF E2, MSI Display Kit software is used, which has a slightly more modest functionality, but in general there are all the essentials. In fact, there are all the settings present in the on-screen menu, as well as some additional features. On-screen keyboard, mouse cursor customisation, saving split-screen presets with simultaneous application launch.

Image quality of the MSI G274QPF E2 monitor

MSI G274QPF E2 received a 27-inch Rapid IPS matrix. We have already written about this type of matrix in the last review. If very briefly about what you need to know - this is one of the newest variants of IPS-matrices, characterised by higher frequency and response speed of the matrix. By the latter indicator, they are approaching the fast TN. The resolution is 2560x1440 (WQHD), pixel density - 108 PPI, pixel size - 0.233 mm. A 10-bit matrix (8+ FRC) with W-LED backlighting is used. Maximum brightness 400 cd/m², static contrast ratio 1000:1, viewing angles - 178 °. Promise a colour gamut of 119% of the sRGB colour space. VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. The monitor has Blue Light Reduction, which should prevent eye fatigue during prolonged work, as well as Anti Flicker. Themonitor has a typical for such monitors effective matte anti-reflective coating with minimal crystal effect.

Viewing angles are maximum and there is no colour distortion. Glow-effect is typical for IPS-matrixes: black colour is slightly brightened at angles.

The maximum refresh rate is 180 Hz, and the minimum pixel response time is 1 ms GtG. The monitor supports Adaptive Sync adaptive refresh rate. To improve picture clarity, there is a matrix overclocking function (Response Time in the OSD menu), as well as MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time) frame skip mode. Dynamic scenes are really sharp, there is almost no blurring. When using overclocking, blurring practically disappears, artefacts are minimal and the picture is quite clear:

In FPS mode, the maximum brightness turned out to be even a bit higher than the stated brightness: 443.692 cd/m², black field brightness 0.493 cd/m², and static contrast ratio of 900:1. The colour gamut is wider than sRGB. The colour temperature is around 7500K-8000K (with the benchmark at 6500K), the colour reproduction has a slight emphasis on cooler shades.

In User mode, maximum brightness was 408.427 cd/m², black field brightness 0.442 cd/m², and static contrast ratio was 924:1. The colour reproduction performance is close to the FPS mode:

In sRGB mode, the colour gamut is slightly off from sRGB. Maximum brightness: 405.034 cd/m², black field brightness 0.436 cd/m², and static contrast ratio - 929:1.

How the MSI G274QPF E2 performed in operation

MSI G274QPF E2 is a monitor with the optimal diagonal to resolution ratio for gaming and work. High pixel response speed, high refresh rate and Adaptive Sync allow you to get a clear picture in games even in the most dynamic scenes. Hardcore gamers who spend a lot of time in online shooters may find 180Hz not enough. But for users looking for an inexpensive monitor for both work and play for their own pleasure, the MSI G274QPF E2 will be enough. A fairly wide colour gamut, high brightness and good calibration make the monitor suitable not only for gaming or movies, but also for working with visual content at a basic level.

Three things to know about the MSI G274QPF E2 monitor:

• The MSI G274QPF E2 is a monitor with a quality 27-inch Rapid IPS monitor with a resolution of 2560x1440 (WQHD).
• It has a refresh rate of 180 Hz, pixel response time of 1 ms and supports Adaptive-Sync.
• Equipped with DisplayPort 1.4a, 2xHDMI 2.0b and Type-C (Power Delivery 15W).

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