MSI Optix MPG27C Curved Gaming Monitor Review

MSI Optix MPG27C Overview: The Verdict

So, my thoughts on the MSI Optix MPG27C.

It’s fairly obvious by this point (if you watched the video) that the MPG27C is aimed at the enthusiast gamer, and I say that because it comes with all the features gamers want.

A 144Hz VA panel, the VA panel choice is good in my opinion because VA panels provide a good middle ground with better than IPS refresh rates, worse viewing angles and colour reproduction but are better than TN panels. Saying that, the viewing angle is still 178-degrees and although I didn’t have a Spyder to test this statement at the time of the review, it claims to have excellent colour gamut with the 115% sRGB and 100% NTSC quoted ratings.

The blistering 1ms response time is industry standard at this point for gaming monitors, but still worth a mention. Another worthwhile mention is MSI’s inclusion of their anti-flicker technology, which was noticeable during the prolonged gaming sessions in terms of eye-strain, this may have also been due to the blue-light reduction that is also implemented.

It also has a 1800R curvature rating on the 27” display making it perfect, in my opinion, for sitting a few feet away from it at a desk as I’ve had the pleasure of doing for the last couple of weeks and with the stand being able to tilt, swing and move vertically a decent amount it offered plenty of options for viewing angles while doing so. I wasn’t surprised to not see pivot included on a curved monitor so no points lost there.

With MSI offering a narrow bezel on the Optix MPG27C I can clearly see that multi-monitor setups are something that had been considered, I can imagine a curved dual or triple monitor setup looking fantastic on a desk setup.

The connectivity on the Optix MPG27C is something I’m happy with too. The inclusion of the USB 2 hub as well as headphone and microphone jacks with associated passthrough cables are a great inclusion. The 2x HDMI 1.4’s and single DisplayPort 1.2 are plenty, I wasn’t surprised to not see HDMI 2.0 as that’s only really needed for larger pixel density monitors.

Mysticlight isn’t something I’ve mentioned until now, but that’s actually the name for the LED application in the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, and actually what makes the link between the monitor, computer, and peripherals that I showed earlier. SteelSeries Gamesense is in the Engine 3 software package that controls Mysticlight and is what powers the Engine apps that I showed in the quick CS:GO gameplay earlier. But to clear up confusion MSI’s Mysticlight is the equivalent to Asus’ Aura Sync, for example.

While we’re talking about software, the MSI Gaming OSD is a program that allows you to make the same monitor adjustments that you would using the joystick on the back panel. SteelSeries Engine 3 encompasses MysticLight and Gamesense which are both excellent additions to the monitor, though I imagine enthusiast or professional gamers will reap most of the benefit from the GameSense applications and game profiles, the only thing that is a problem here is the very limited game support at present, but hopefully that is something that gets more support in the future.

MysticLight, on the other hand, is MSI’s RGB application which I’m sure people will have a lot more admiration for. With the ability to make custom lighting profiles to whatever you please or just enjoy the included default ones which show off its full RGB abilities.

Finally, price. The Optix MPG27C is available from UK retailers at the time of review for between £400-450. This makes the monitor, even when considering all the bells and whistles it has, very expensive for a 1080p FHD screen. Now, don’t get me wrong, what MSI has included in the MPG27C is nothing short of fantastic and it’s been executed very well but immediately I can see this being aimed at enthusiasts and gamers who, to be honest, are probably the only ones who would spend that kind of money on a monitor in the first place. Now is the time that I feel like I should mention the MSI MPG27CQ, which is identical bar the 1440p display offering which is around £500, something that might also whet your appetite.

What’s Hot:

• The inclusion of and use of LED’s on the monitor to add gamer features and functionality with the Gamesense applications like health and ammo for example, which is a completely original idea.
• The 144Hz refresh rate on the VA panel with a 1ms response time is excellent!
• 1800R curved panel is perfect for on the desk gameplay.

What’s Not:

• The price is very steep for a 1080p gaming monitor, even with all the bells and whistles it has, consider the 1440p MPG27CQ as an alternative.

A big thanks to MSI for sending the Optix MPG27C for me to review!