MSI MPG ARTYMIS 273CQR-QD 165Hz 1ms 27in Curved 27" Review

This is a feature-packed gaming powerhouse. It scores in the 97th percentile for features with its 165Hz, 1ms response, and FreeSync Premium Pro. The 90th percentile color performance means it looks great too. Just know it's a big, heavy desk anchor, not a portable display.

The MSI MPG ARTYMIS 273CQR-QD is a monitor that knows what it's for. It's a 27-inch curved VA panel running at 165Hz with a 1ms response time, and it scores in the 97th percentile for features in our database. That means it's packing almost every bell and whistle you'd want for gaming. The WQHD (2560x1440) resolution is the sweet spot for a screen this size, giving you sharp detail without forcing you into a GPU upgrade just to hit decent frame rates. With a 400-nit peak brightness and HDR400 certification, it's also got the chops for more than just fast-paced shooters.

MSI calls this the ARTYMIS, and it's clearly built to be a centerpiece. The 1000R curve is aggressive, pulling you into the action, and the 90W USB-C power delivery is a nice touch for single-cable laptop setups. It's not a lightweight, though, coming in at 6.7kg. This is a monitor that's going to dominate your desk, not tuck away neatly. Its overall score of 62.4 puts it solidly in the 'good' category, with its strengths heavily skewed towards gaming and entertainment.

Let's talk about what matters: how it feels to use. That 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time combo lands it in the 92nd percentile for performance. In practice, motion is incredibly smooth with minimal ghosting, making it a standout for competitive gaming. The FreeSync Premium Pro support means buttery smooth frames even when your GPU can't quite lock to 165 fps, and it works over both DisplayPort and HDMI.

The color performance is also impressive, sitting in the 90th percentile. The VA panel delivers deep, inky blacks thanks to its high contrast ratio, which is a big win for dark scenes in games and movies. The 400-nit brightness and HDR400 support are about average for this class—you get a decent HDR pop, but don't expect the eye-searing highlights of a more expensive mini-LED display. The 65th percentile display score tells you the core image quality is solid and reliable, if not class-leading.

Here's the wild part: the listed price range across vendors is absolutely insane, from $430 to a completely nonsensical $137,819. Ignore the high end; that's clearly erroneous data. At the realistic low end of around $430, this monitor presents a very compelling value. You're getting near-top-tier gaming features and performance for what is often a mid-range price. The 90W USB-C hub is a bonus you don't always see at this price point. Just shop carefully—that price spread suggests some retailers might be taking advantage of unclear naming.

Stacked against its peers, the ARTYMIS makes a strong case. It goes head-to-head with the LG UltraGear 27" Dual Mode and the ASUS ROG Swift 32". The LG might offer more ergonomic flexibility, but the MSI's more aggressive curve and higher 165Hz refresh rate give it an edge for immersion and smoothness. Compared to the larger ASUS ROG Swift 32", you're trading sheer screen real estate for a higher pixel density on the MSI's 27" panel, which often looks sharper. The Samsung Odyssey G95C is a different beast entirely with its super-ultrawide 49" format, so that's a choice between immersive width or a more standard, high-performance aspect ratio. The MSI sits comfortably as a dedicated, feature-rich gaming monitor.

Skip this monitor if your desk is tiny or you need to move your setup around. Its 6.7kg weight and low 28th percentile compact score make it a beast to reposition. Also, if connectivity is a top priority, look elsewhere—its 31st percentile ranking there means the port selection is pretty basic beyond the excellent USB-C. And if you hate curved screens for office work, this isn't the one for your dual-duty rig.

If you want a no-compromise 27-inch gaming monitor and you like a curved screen, the MSI MPG ARTYMIS 273CQR-QD is an easy recommendation. The data doesn't lie: its feature set is among the best available, and its performance is top-notch for fast-paced games. The excellent color performance is a welcome bonus for when you're not fragging. Just be sure you're buying it for a stationary setup—its 6.7kg weight and 28th percentile compact score mean it's not moving from your desk often.