The PC monitor market now offers specific solutions for the most varied needs, be they related to gaming or to a more multitasking use. The features offered by the monitor MSI Optix MPG341CQR however, they manage to put everyone in agreement, promising high-level performances for the most demanding players (even for those who want to dedicate themselves to ESports), with an eye to parallel and complementary activities such as streaming, making it an excellent choice also for creators or users who like to challenge each other live under the watchful eye of their audience.
Provided of course that you can afford a product that falls, by virtue of the cost, in the high end of the category.
Gaming and streaming
Once the package is opened, MSI Optix MPG341CQR presents itself with all its grandeur, thanks to the large panel with curvature 1800R 34-inch and a V-base that guarantees stability, all with high quality materials and finishes. Overall, the monitor measures 810 x 324 x 563 mm (W x H x D) for a total weight of nearly 14 kilograms. The display offers an aggressive but clean design, with the edges reduced to the limit in the upper part and on the sides while in the lower part a LED strip compatible with SteelSeries GameSense and a webcam with resolution up to 720p. The back has an elegant design, accompanied by the classic texture of the company, an additional LED strip, the joystick for controlling the OSD with bronze chrome plating and the MSI logo that dominates the right side.
Note that in the package, in addition to the material for assembly and the supply of cables, there is a webcam support (to be mounted on the top of the monitor) and a bungee for mouse which connects to the lower part to facilitate movement and reduce the clutter of the workstation: all gadgets that, although not essential, can become useful tools for competitive gaming and live streaming.
Technical specifications
MSI Optix MPG341CQR is a monitor designed to meet the needs of gamers thanks to relevant specifications. We are talking about a curved VA panel that allows a viewing angle of 178 degrees, with a resolution of 3440×1440 pixels (UWQHD) spread over an aspect ratio of 21: 9. The 144 Hz refresh rate, accompanied by full support for technology FreeSync 2 and with a response time of only 1 millisecond, they complete the technical picture ensuring the total absence of artifacts related to tearing or stuttering phenomena and allowing the monitor to shine in any game condition, especially during the most excited sessions.
By virtue of the speed of reaction and the overall cleanliness of the image, the Optix in question gives its best with the FPS and in general with all the games that require responsiveness and precision, proving once again the choice indicated for the players competitive.
The monitor is "G-Sync Compatible"and therefore allows the use of adaptive sync also with GeForce video cards (soon it will also be possible to use AMD cards with G-Sync monitor). The Anti-Flicker and Less Blue Light functions finally allow you to avoid eye strain , giving even longer gameplay sessions. From a chromatic point of view, MPG341CQR offers remarkable performance, covering the entire Adobe sRGB color space and also a good part of the DCI-P3 spectrum, all with a declared contrast of 3000: 1.
Our tests have confirmed most of the features declared by MSI with a factory calibration that stands at good levels, approaching the 2.2 (standard) range with DeltaE approaching 2.15.
After a careful calibration it can reach values of 1.5. The contrast was instead slightly lower than the declared one, especially if you want to maintain a higher chromatic fidelity, while remaining appreciable and giving the image the right depth.
As far as brightness is concerned, MSI declares a peak of 400 nits which, however, we have not been able to obtain. Consequently, one of the weak points of the monitor is related to the HDR rendering: despite the HDR400 certification in fact, the panel cannot guarantee sufficient performance. The color rendering remains overall good but the low brightness of the display sacrifices the contrasts to allow an intensity of the HDR just mentioned. The total lack of local dimming does the rest, relegating this feature to the insufficiency area. It should be emphasized that almost all HDR400 certified panels suffer from the same problems.
Software, connectivity and "Extras" of excellence
MSI's proposal pays particular attention to everything concerning the management of the monitor, as well as to a whole series of features, usually considered "extra", which in the specific case have affected us a lot. Let's start fromexcellent connections offered by this MPG341CQR: the monitor is equipped with two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB Type C input. The picture is completed by three USB 3.2 Type A ports with Quick Charger technology, a USB 3.2 Type B for the upstream and the audio jack input for the headphones and the microphone (usable thanks to the Y cable included in the package).
The management of the various functions is guaranteed by the intuitive OSD that can be reached via the joystick on the back of the monitor which, once pressed, allows access to the various presets as well as to the individual parameters for adjusting the image. Also from the OSD it is possible to activate the functions of Night Vision and Screen Assistance.
Particularly appreciated was the ability to manage every single parameter through the MSI Gaming OSD software which interfaces with the monitor through the upstream cable: through this option it is possible to go even further into the detail of each individual setting and above all it is possible to release all the power of the RGB system, the real trump card of the MSI Optix MPG341CQR.
The front LEDs can in fact be adjusted to represent the external temperature or the weather conditions (via internet connection) or they can be synchronized with the SteelSeries GameSense function which allows you to view the game information through the five lights located at the bottom of the display: number of ammunition, health, armor status, remaining time, each parameter of the most popular online games can be reported as a light signal. Finally, a mandatory mention for the 720p integrated webcam which allows facial recognition and user profile customization, as well as automatic brightness management.
