TweakTown’s Ranking: 89%
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The Backside Line
The MSI MAG401QR is an entry-level ultrawide gaming monitor that actually shines in particular video games, however is boring in others. Nevertheless, the cheap $429.99 price ticket is properly justified for the general immersive gaming expertise.
Execs
- + Very precisely priced
- + Unimaginable for particular video games like Age of Empires IV, Grand Turismo, and different titles that do not require the digicam to be spun extraordinarily rapidly
- + Good colours and brightness
Cons
- – Tearing/uneven frames at excessive FPS
- – Not nice in fast-twitch FPS titles similar to Apex Legends, Overwatch and DOOM Everlasting
Do you have to purchase it?
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Introduction & Specification Particulars and Shut-up
MSI has simply launched its largest format gaming monitor, the MAG401QR, a flat 40-inch 3440 x 1440p gaming show that helps as much as 155Hz refresh charge with a 1ms response time.
Briefly, this gaming show is not for the light-hearted, because it’s merely large, with many positives and negatives. Nevertheless, that does not imply it is not for you, as all displays have downsides and upsides, and the aim of this evaluate, and all my opinions following, is to find out if the MAG 40IQR is the fitting monitor for you.
The MAG401QR is a price range ultra-wide gaming show, an avenue of gaming displays which are progressively getting increasingly widespread. The MAG401QR is priced at $429.99, and on the time of writing, this evaluate is discounted to $399.99 on the MSI web site. As you possibly can most likely think about, with a worth like this, there are some downsides to the MAG401QR, however earlier than we get into these, we must always check out the specs, design and, most significantly, ensure you have the fitting PC horsepower to get essentially the most out of the MAG401QR.
The 3440 x 1440p decision is the center floor between a regular 2440 x 1440p monitor and 4K (3840 x 2160). This implies your PC might want to have a little bit extra energy to achieve that 155Hz refresh charge that you’re paying for when buying the MAG401QR. So, with that in thoughts, I’d advocate you will have not less than a GeForce RTX 4070 or a GeForce RTX 3080. On the AMD aspect, I might advocate not less than a Radeon RX 6800 XT, RX 6750 XT, or the brand new RX 7700 XT. The aforementioned graphics playing cards will allow you to achieve 155 FPS in most video games on the 3440 x 1440 decision. Now, into the specs, adopted by design.
Specs
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 11 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 11](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_11_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.png)
VIEW GALLERY – 15 IMAGES
Shut-up
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 21 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 21](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_21_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 24 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 24](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_24_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 25 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 25](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_25_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 26 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 26](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_26_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 27 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 27](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_27_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 28 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 28](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_28_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 29 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 29](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_29_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 31 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 31](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_31_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
Design & Panel Breakdown
So, what are you getting with the MAG401QR? MSI’s largest format gaming monitor does not differentiate itself from its different lineup of gaming displays, protecting the identical black plastic shell with a grainy texture. It additionally contains a shiny black plastic stripe throughout the again and an LED gentle.
It comes with a three-legged stand that’s typical of ultra-wide gaming displays, because it provides the monitor extra stability, a essential issue, particularly on this case since it is a 40-inch monitor. Nevertheless, the draw back of the stand is that it takes up various desk house, which I imagine can be a large ache for avid gamers who have already got a desk with restricted floor space.
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 30 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 30](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_30_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
The monitor has no top, swivel, or pivot adjustment however does include a tilt adjustment between -5° and 20°. Since there’s a full lack of adjustability, I’d advocate choosing up some form of desk or wall mount, because it comes with full VESA help, together with a bracket. Aspect observe – be sure that the arm you purchase helps not less than 8kg, as that’s how a lot MAG401QR weighs with out the stand.
The bezels on the MAG401QR are good and skinny, apart from the underside border, which measures 1.5cm. Transferring on to the again of the show, MSI has geared up the MAG401QR with the corporate’s traditional 5-way multidirectional joystick that allows patrons to navigate the On Display Show (OSD). As for the OSD, MSI has made no modifications from its earlier fashions, which means customers should maintain down the multidirectional device to show off the monitor. At first, this was barely annoying, as with different MSI displays, however I rapidly turned accustomed to it after a couple of days.
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 32 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 32](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_32_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
Subsequent is connectivity. The MAG401QR has a variety of choices sporting an AC energy jack, headphone out, 2x HDMI 2.0b inputs, 1x DisplayPort 1.4a enter, 1x USB Sort-C, 1x USB 2.0 Sort-B, and 2x USB 2.0 Sort-A. Notably, the MAG401QR helps 65W PD charging by the USB-C connection, enabling customers to cost virtually any gadget by the monitor.
Above is a video exhibiting the OSD options, and if you’re aware of any of MSI’s earlier displays, you’ll instantly be aware of the choices, as lots of the options are staples of MSI gaming displays. Help contains Crosshairs, shadow boosting, sniper mode, KVM, and extra.
Panel Breakdown
With the options out of the way in which, let’s transfer to the panel breakdown. The MAG401QR is an IPS panel, which implies that it is significantly good for sustaining wealthy colours whatever the viewing angles. The MAG401QR definitely achieves this, and all through my testing, I discovered hardly any degradation in coloration accuracy with a variation of viewing angles. Good work, MSI.
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 20 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 20](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_20_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
With a typical brightness of 400 and an HDR 400, the MAG401QR definitely fell flat when HDR is enabled. That is hardly stunning as HDR 400 is just unhealthy, for lack of a greater phrase. I loved the MAG401QR way more when it was in SDR, with a small enhance within the brightness by the OSD settings.
The floor remedy of the MAG401QR is “anti-glare.” Whereas it could seem shiny at some angles, the MAG401QR really does a implausible job at lowering glare, which is very helpful for customers attempting to recreation in vivid, naturally lit rooms.
I discovered the 1ms response time to be fully nice for any fast-paced shooter that I examined on, particularly after I pushed the monitor as much as 155Hz by the DisplayPort 1.4. Notably, the monitor is restricted to 100Hz by the HDMI.
Efficiency
I examined the MAG401QR in varied titles: Apex Legends, Age of Empires IV, Overwatch, and DOOM Everlasting. Out of the titles that I examined, the MAG401QR shined essentially the most in Age of Empires IV and DOOM Everlasting – this is why. The 2 aforementioned titles natively help the 21:9 facet ratio, a crucial issue when buying an ultrawide show. For instance, Apex Legends, whereas working extraordinarily easily and offering an immersive expertise, does not natively help 21:9, as the sport will render a local 16:9 subject of view after which stretch the remaining pixels.
Most avid gamers most likely will not discover this, nevertheless it was one thing that I picked up on right away and is one thing that I like to recommend any gamer to contemplate when fascinated by choosing up an ultrawide monitor. Verify to see in case your most performed video games natively help the 21:9 facet ratio, as you’re going to get a way more immersive expertise when the entire pixels are rendered 1:1 as a substitute of being stretched at your outer peripherals.
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 23 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 23](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_23_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
Regardless of the shortcomings of 21:9, the MAG401QR offered a really stable gaming expertise with minimal points. The MAG401QR showcased vibrant colours that may be seen from a wide range of angles because of IPS. There was minimal display screen tearing and a few uneven frames. There was additionally some ghosting/inverse ghosting that was additionally seen.
The aforementioned points, particularly, uneven frames and tearing, had been seen in video games that required quick motion of the digicam (Apex Legends, Overwatch, and DOOM Everlasting). This tearing wasn’t main, nevertheless it was seen and earned itself marks towards its complete efficiency rating. Nevertheless, in Age of Empires IV, the MAG401QR was merely epic. The panorama of my metropolis unfold throughout 40 inches was a factor of true magnificence, and since there have been no fast actions of the digicam, the MAG401QR did not current any of the beforehand listed issues.
Total, the efficiency of the MAG401QR was good; it wasn’t implausible, nevertheless it was ok to warrant the price range price ticket.
Remaining Ideas
So, the place do I land on the MAG401QR, and do you have to purchase it? As I discussed at the start, the evaluate’s objective is to search out out if the MAG401QR is the fitting monitor for you.
The MAG401QR shines finest in video games that natively help the 21:9 facet ratio, so you’ll need to search out out in case your favourite video games help this facet ratio earlier than buying. Regardless of the facet ratio help in video games, MSI has created an especially giant ultra-wide show that the majority avid gamers who play all kinds of video games would not have a problem gaming on. Nevertheless, the tearing and uneven frames could possibly be a problem for avid gamers who predominately play fast-paced first-person shooter titles, and if you’re a kind of avid gamers, I’d steer you away from the MAG401QR.
![MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 22 MSI MAG401QR 40-inch (UWQHD) 155Hz Ultrawide Gaming Monitor Review 22](https://static.tweaktown.com/content/1/0/10531_22_msi-mag401qr-40-inch-uwqhd-155hz-ultrawide-gaming-monitor-review.jpg)
However, if you’re a gamer that enjoys RTS titles similar to Age of Empires IV or gradual RPG titles similar to Pink Lifeless Redemption, Starfield, or Grand Theft Auto V, the MAG401QR would supply a singular gaming expertise that might doubtless be extraordinarily fulfilling. Selecting a gaming monitor comes right down to which video games you might be taking part in, and the MAG401QR is a kind of displays which are good in some video games and lackluster in others – it isn’t a jack-of-all-trades monitor.
Moreover, the 40-inch measurement is much too large for it to be flat – I want MSI opted for not less than a small curve on this show, as I imagine it could enhance the immersion ranges simply that rather more. The MAG401QR is precisely priced at $429.99, because the monitor offers a budget-level ultra-wide gaming expertise that’s nice for a gamer simply seeking to get into the massive ultra-wide market and is not frightened about taking part in fast-paced shooter titles or could not have the price range for a costlier monitor.
Finally, the MAG401QR is a singular gaming monitor that does a very good job in particular areas. It is well-priced, has nice connectivity, and offers immersive gaming experiences in choose titles. Contemplating how a lot display screen actual property you will have accessible, it could be unimaginable for phrase processing/spreadsheet work.