Key Takeaways
- Beautiful HDR and high refresh rate
- Port placement hinders setup
- Optimal use requires a powerful PC
A quality gaming monitor is a key component of any good PC gaming build. It’s your window into enjoying all the performance benefits built into your rig. With each passing year, it seems manufacturers push the boundaries of gaming displays, bringing more and more impressive panels to the consumer market.
The MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is MSI’s foray into the expensive and cutting-edge field of 32-inch 4K OLED gaming displays, so I was excited to get my hands on one and test how it performed.
Recommendation
MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
The MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is a gaming monitor ahead of its time, with a 240Hz refresh rate and 4K UHD resolution that’s a stunning combination when achieved.
- Amazing HDR performance
- Ultra-high refresh rate perfect for FPS games
- Port placement makes specific configuration difficult
- You need a monster PC to get the most out of it
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Pricing, Availability and Specifications
The MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is by no means a cheap gaming monitor, but it is competitively priced when compared to similar high-end products. The monitor retails for $950 and is available now on Newegg, with stock expected to hit Best Buy and MSI Online soon.
The breakdown of gaming monitor specifications is pretty simple, consisting mainly of diagonal size, resolution, display type, and refresh rate. The MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is a large 31.5-inch size for a gaming monitor. It boasts a beautiful Quantum Dot OLED display that renders in a crisp 4K resolution. This performance-focused gaming monitor offers a 240Hz refresh rate, allowing it to deliver up to 240 frames per second.
The MPG 321URX supports HDR for richer color depth and contrast, and Adaptive Sync for in-game use to avoid frame tearing. The monitor can connect to your PC via HDMI and DisplayPort, and it also features a USB-C port that can provide up to 90W of charging power from the monitor, so you can charge your peripherals and other devices while you’re using it.
What I like about the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
Amazing visuals
What impressed me most about using the MPG 321URX was its visual performance. Playing games in 4K, on ​​an OLED display, and with HDR, you get an amazingly rich image that turns beautiful games into works of art and even visually boring games into a treat for the eyes. I fired up all the games I play regularly on my MSI and loved seeing how beautiful they all looked with this monitor.
Playing Destiny 2 on the MPG was an absolute joy, with the stunning landscapes of this far-flung world brought to life in vivid detail and endless color. The deep black colors of space provided a striking contrast, making an already beautiful game even more breathtaking.
A caring touch
The MPG 321URX has some thoughtful details that I appreciated, not only in its performance but also in the way it connects to your PC and other devices. On the performance side, the monitor comes equipped with several features such as Smart-Crosshair and OPTIX Scope, both of which aim to bring extra crosshair performance to your gaming experience without requiring in-game support. I don’t use these features during competitive play, but they are nice options to have.
MSI has also put a lot of effort into connectivity, offering support for USB-C displays and charging external devices over USB-C. I took advantage of this to charge my wireless headset and phone when needed. Again, this is not something you’ll use all the time, but it’s nice to have. The monitor also has the option to act as a small USB hub, which I was able to add two USB-A ports to the monitor by connecting it to one of my PC’s USB-A ports using the included cable.
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What I didn’t like about the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED
I was frustrated by the port placement and overall physical design.
Nearly every gaming monitor I’ve ever used or owned has all of the most important ports located on the back of the display. This makes it easy to connect and disconnect your display and USB devices no matter how you set up your monitor. The rear ports make it easier to access whether you have the arm up on your desk or on the included stand. On the MSI MPG 321URX, all of the ports are located on the bottom of the display, not flush with the bottom of the monitor, but a few inches away from the bottom edge of the screen.
If you have a system that can extract the most juice from a lemon, the MSI MPG 321URX is a good investment.
This meant that every time I wanted to access the ports on a monitor arm or the included stand, I would have to grab the monitor and rotate it pretty much towards the ceiling to see what I was doing. This constantly disturbed the exact position I’d carefully set up for the display, and left fingerprints on the top and bottom of the screen where I gripped it every time. This was really frustrating, and I didn’t understand why the ports weren’t located on the back like on other gaming monitors I own.
Conclusion: Should you buy the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED?
The MSI MPG 321URX is a powerful monitor that requires very good settings to get the most out of it. Very few PC gaming rigs can easily render 4K resolution with cranked up graphics settings, and even fewer can at high frame rates. My PC could handle turning the graphics settings down a bit, especially in FPS-optimized games like Counter-Strike, but fantasy and graphics-intensive games like Destiny 2 made me miss my old 1440p monitor, as my PC could easily achieve high frame rates at lower resolutions.
If you have a system that can squeeze the most power out of the box, the MSI MPG 321URX is a good investment. If you’re not up to it yet but plan on upgrading your internal components in the near future, this MSI monitor can be a great way to prepare for future upgrades.
Recommendation
