Best Affordable 4K 144HZ Gaming Monitor - MSI MAG 274UPF Unboxing & Review

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There was a time not too long ago when 4K high refresh rate gaming monitors were so expensive. But times have changed, and if you're shopping for the best 4K 144Hz gaming monitor for your PS5, Xbox or PC.

MSI has got what you want. They have what you need and three tiers of high-quality gaming monitors available at MSI.com.

There's the Meg range, which stands for MSI Enthusiast Gaming. These are the Flagship models, some of which include QD Oled tech and can cost upwards of £1000.

The MPG range which stands for MSI Performance Gaming. These are Mainstream models and geared more towards gaming performance & aesthetics.

And there's the most affordable MAG line. MAG stands for MSI Arsenal Gaming. That's what I have here today. This is the MAG 274 UPF 4K 144hz gaming monitor.  

This monitor, the MSI MAG 274 UPF retail price at the time of this video, is just £449, and I've partnered up with MSI for this one. So, affiliate links will be below if you want to check out the latest deals.

Before I look at the design and display, here are some things you need to know. This monitor uses rapid in-plane switching, a.k .a. IPS display tech. It supports 4K up to 144Hz with a 1ms ms GTG. MSI provides a PC gaming intelligence app for more granular control and calibration, and one of the ports supports PD of up to 65 watts. And it has a VESA display HDR400 certification. 

And for PC gamers, you'll be happy to know that it supports AMD free sync & Nvidia G sync. Something about this monitor I like is its stand has a very small footprint. So you will save desk space and your keyboard and rest right up against it when not in use.

Also, you get excellent manoeuvrability and some cable management, which is nice. And if you already have a monitor arm or wall bracket, this uses the standard 75mm VESA mount.

THE PORTS

There's one display port 1.4 with DSC. Two HDMI 2.1 are perfect for your PlayStation and Xbox. There's headphone audio jack, a USB C port which supports the 65 watts power delivery & it has a display port also. This would be ideal for plugging in a laptop.

Then there are 2 USB ports and a USB B port. This will act as a USB hub for your PC, for example. And this has a KVM switch. If you're a pro gamer, You'll already know what this is and why it's a big deal, but for those of you who need to become more familiar with KVM. It stands for keyboard, video and mouse.

Put simply, the KVM switch allows you to plug your mouse and keyboard or controller directly into the monitor & use that same mouse and keyboard or controller on up to 3 other devices connected to the monitor. It's a sweet feature!

The user interface offers many game-centric features like on-screen crosshairs, colour profiles, customisation options & overdrive, which can reduce latency to the minimum. If you get this, it's a good idea to test all the overdrive modes and see which works best for you and the games you like playing. I personally leave it in Fast mode for COD.

Something nice about this monitor is that MSI offers firmware updates that can be done via USB or MSI's gaming intelligence PC app. You could see performance upgrades & updated menu options in the future. That's something you will only sometimes get with other brands.

Now, the gaming intelligence app brings a lot more tools to the table that, if you're a true gamer, you'll appreciate more than most.

The standard on-screen menu system is laid out nicely and controllable via the thumbstick on the back left corner. Which is easy to find & easy to use.

Now, looking at the back, you'll notice there's no RGB…and I think that might be a good thing. This means it'll use less power &; the low power consumption stands out here on the MSI Mag 27 UPG.

RGB is not going to be a game-changer for most people. However, there are models in the MPG & MEG range you might prefer if you really must have RGB on the back…

It doesn't have RGB but still has a little light flare. The panel shines through this slot on the back, which looks slick when in use. I like the styling of the back; it looks futuristic and sleek. And I actually like the MSI dragon logo, too.

The display has thin bezels on the left and right and across the top. And as mentioned before, it's an IPS panel, which means viewing angles are good. In terms of colour, the MAG 274 UPF supports up to 96% of the DCI P3 colour gamut. 

This panel is bright, with peak brightness reaching just well over the advertised 400 nits. I'm told peak brightness is closer to 500 nits. For context, 500 nits is very good in terms of gaming monitors and has an anti-glare surface, Which means it will be well suited to well-lit environments.

I've tested this out with my gaming PC but mainly with my PS5 with a bit of Call Of Duty and the difference this gaming monitor makes to my gameplay is noticeable. So, if you want to get a gaming edge & advantage. This can give you that!

And given the fact that the price point is now incredibly competitive. If you've been thinking about getting one or looking for the perfect screen for your console or PC that offers esports performance without breaking the bank. Now might be the right time to buy the MSI MAG 274 UPF.

Feel free to use the link below this video to check out the current prices and offers.