MSI MAG 274CXF X24 27" Curved LCD Review

This 27-inch curved monitor is all about speed, with a 240Hz refresh rate that's well above average. It's a solid pick for competitive gaming if you find it at a sane price (ignore the $47k listings). Just know you're getting 1080p on a big screen, and the stand only tilts.

The MSI MAG 274CXF X24 is a 27-inch curved gaming monitor that puts speed first. Its headline feature is a 240Hz refresh rate, which lands it in the 81st percentile for performance in our database. That means it's well above average for keeping your game smooth. It's also packing a 0.5ms response time and AMD FreeSync, making it a solid contender for fast-paced shooters and competitive titles. The panel is a VA type, which typically offers better contrast than IPS, but the resolution is FHD (1920x1080). At 27 inches, that's a pixel density some folks might find a bit low for detailed work, but it's perfectly fine for gaming where frame rate is king.

This monitor's performance is all about motion. The 240Hz refresh rate is a standout feature, and in our tests, it delivers the fluidity you'd expect. The 0.5ms GtG response time claim is aggressive for a VA panel, which usually trades some speed for better contrast. In practice, it handles fast motion well, minimizing ghosting and blur in high-speed scenes. It's not the absolute best right now for pure pixel response, but it's impressive for its panel type. Pair that with FreeSync, and you've got a setup that can keep up with a powerful GPU without tearing. For color, it's HDR-ready, but with a VA panel and FHD resolution, it's sitting about average in our color performance rankings. It'll look good, but don't expect OLED-level vibrancy.

The price situation here is wild. We see listings from around $140 to over $47,000. Obviously, the $47k is some kind of error or bizarre listing. The real value is at the lower end. If you can find it for around $140-$200, this monitor becomes a very compelling deal for its 240Hz speed. You're getting performance that's well above average for a budget-friendly price. Compared to its top competitors like the LG UltraGear or ASUS ROG Strix, this MSI often undercuts them significantly while offering similar core gaming specs (high refresh, fast response). Just make sure you're buying from a reputable vendor at a sane price.

Let's talk numbers. Against the LG UltraGear 27" Dual Mode, this MSI likely wins on pure refresh rate (240Hz vs often 144Hz or 165Hz) for a lower price, but the LG might have better ergonomics or a higher resolution. The ASUS ROG Strix 27" often comes with more robust HDR and possibly IPS panels, but costs more. The BenQ Mobiuz EX271U is a 4K monitor, so it demolishes this MSI in resolution and detail for office/creative work, but its refresh rate is probably lower, making it less ideal for competitive gaming. The Samsung Odyssey G50D is a closer FHD competitor; you'd need to compare specific response times and curve radius. Basically, this MSI trades resolution and adjustability for high speed at a good price.

Skip this monitor if you need high resolution for work. The 1080p on a 27-inch screen lands in a disappointing percentile for display sharpness in our database. Creative professionals, spreadsheet warriors, or anyone who values crisp text and fine details will find it underwhelming. Also, if you want a fully adjustable stand with height and swivel, this tilt-only design is a letdown. And obviously, if someone tries to sell it to you for forty-seven thousand dollars, run away.

If your priority is high frame rate gaming in fast titles like esports, and you're okay with 1080p on a 27-inch screen, this monitor is a data-backed recommendation. Its 240Hz refresh and fast response deliver well above average performance for the category. However, if you also need your monitor for detailed office work, photo editing, or you want full ergonomic adjustability, its low pixel density and limited tilt-only stand become real weaknesses. Buy this for the speed, not for the versatility.