MSI Ultrawide MSI 34" Ultrawide QHD 2K 1440P 180Hz IPS AMD Review
The MSI MAG345CQR packs a 180Hz refresh rate and a deep 1000R curve into a $340 package. It's a budget ultrawide that feels anything but cheap.
The 30-Second Version
The MSI MAG345CQR is a budget ultrawide gaming champion. Its 180Hz refresh rate and deep 1000R curve offer incredible immersion for the money. Performance scores in the 95th percentile. If you can live with minor VA panel motion artifacts, it's an easy buy.
Overview
The MSI MAG345CQR is a 34-inch ultrawide that's built for one thing: immersive gaming without breaking the bank. For around $340, you get a 180Hz refresh rate, a 1000R curve, and FreeSync Premium in a package that punches well above its price tag.
It's not trying to be the best at everything. The VA panel and 300-nit brightness are solid but not class-leading. What it does offer is a fantastic entry point into high-refresh-rate ultrawide gaming, with enough adjustability to make it work for your desk.
Performance
This thing is fast. The 180Hz refresh rate lands in the 95th percentile in our database, so motion is buttery smooth. The 1ms MPRT response time helps, but remember, that's a marketing metric—real-world pixel response on a VA panel won't match a top-tier IPS or OLED. You might see some smearing in very dark scenes. The 300-nit brightness and HDR Ready label are fine for the price, but don't expect true HDR pop. It's good, not great.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 180Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth for the price. 94th
- The 1000R curve is aggressive and genuinely immersive for gaming. 90th
- You get full adjustability (height, tilt, swivel) which is rare at this cost. 88th
- It works perfectly with PS5 and Xbox Series X at 120Hz. 84th
Cons
- The VA panel can show some black smearing or ghosting in fast, dark scenes. 8th
- The 300-nit brightness is just okay, and HDR is more of a checkbox feature.
- It's a big, heavy monitor that dominates a desk.
- The back RGB lighting is a bit gamer-y and not for everyone.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 34" |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 |
| Panel Type | VA |
| Aspect Ratio | 21:9 |
| Curved | No |
| Curvature | 1000 |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 180 Hz |
| Response Time | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium |
Color & HDR
| Brightness | 300 nits |
| Color Gamut | 1.07 Billion Colors |
| HDR | HDR |
| HDR Support | HDR |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 2 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| Speakers | No |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
Ergonomics
| Height Adjustable | Yes |
| Tilt | Yes |
| Swivel | Yes |
| Pivot | No |
| VESA Mount | 100x100 |
Features
| Webcam | No |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Weight | 7.8 kg / 17.1 lbs |
Value & Pricing
At $340, this monitor is a steal for what you get. You're getting high-refresh-rate ultrawide performance that used to cost twice as much. Sure, you compromise on peak brightness and perfect pixel response, but for fast-paced gaming on a budget, it's incredibly hard to beat. It's one of the best value propositions in the ultrawide space right now.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the big boys, and the trade-offs are clear. The Samsung Odyssey G9 or an ASUS ROG Swift OLED will destroy it in contrast, color, and response time, but they also cost three to five times as much. Against other budget ultrawides, the MSI wins on refresh rate (180Hz vs. the common 144Hz) and that deep 1000R curve. If you want a flatter, more color-accurate panel for design work, look at a Dell UltraSharp. But for pure, immersive gaming fun per dollar, the MSI is a standout.
| Spec | MSI Ultrawide MSI 34" Ultrawide QHD 2K 1440P 180Hz IPS AMD | Samsung Odyssey Samsung - 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Dual 4K UHD Quantum | LG UltraGear LG UltraGear 45" WUHD DUAL MODE 4K 165Hz FHD 330Hz | MSI MAG MSI 32" UHD 4K 165Hz Nvidia G-Sync Compatible | ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP | BenQ MOBIUZ BenQ MOBIUZ EX271U 27" 4K HDR 165 Hz Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 34 | 57 | 45 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
| Resolution | 3440 x 1440 | 7680 x 2160 | 5120 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Panel Type | VA | VA | OLED | OLED | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 180 | 240 | 165 | 165 | 240 | 165 |
| Response Time Ms | 1 | 1 | - | 0 | - | 1 |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium | FreeSync Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium |
| Hdr | HDR | HDR10+ | HDR10 | HDR400 | HDR10 | HDR10 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: How bad is the VA panel ghosting for gaming?
It's noticeable in very high-contrast, fast scenes for competitive players, but most casual gamers in our data find it minimal and a fair trade-off for the deep blacks and low price.
Q: Is this good for console gaming?
Yes, it perfectly supports 120Hz at 1440p for PS5 and Xbox Series X, which is the max those consoles output for most games.
Q: How many colors does it actually display?
It can display 1.07 billion colors, which is standard for an 8-bit+FRC panel and plenty for gaming and general use.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a competitive esports player who needs absolute pixel-perfect motion clarity. The VA panel's slight smearing will bother you. Also, avoid it if you need true, bright HDR for media creation or movie watching—this monitor's HDR is very basic.
Verdict
Buy this if you're a PC or console gamer who wants a massive, immersive field of view and super smooth gameplay without spending a fortune. It's the perfect upgrade from a basic 1080p screen. Just go in knowing the VA panel has minor motion quirks and the HDR isn't spectacular.