MSI dabbles in nearly each nook of contemporary private computing, from keyboards to motherboards to screens. Its newest monitor is the MEG 342C QD-OLED ($1,099), an OLED gaming show full with a delicate curve and a widescreen side ratio. And whereas it’s not as slim or fashionable as different OLED rivals, just like the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF), the three,440-by-1,440-pixel monitor impresses with glorious efficiency, low enter lag, and a 175Hz refresh fee. Whereas it is not a cut price, it is at the least pretty priced. Throw in some useful ports and stable software program for stopping burn-in, and it is clear why it earns our Editors’ Selection award.
Large-Display OLED Goodness
The MEG 342C QD-OLED just isn’t not like lots of the curved OLED screens we’ve seen this 12 months. First, notice the curve—a delicate 1,800mm, or “1800R,” which describes the radius of a circle that might be created by a hypothetical ring of those screens positioned edge to edge. The decrease that quantity is, the tighter the monitor’s curve will likely be. Decrease numbers are stated to higher mimic the pure curvature of the attention, and thus are extra accommodating to the pure depth of human eyesight. We don’t typically see curved screens dip under 1,000mm, however just a few screens have curved even tighter, just like the bendable Corsair Xeneon Flex (which bends to 800R) and the LG OLED Flex (which bends to 900R).
When it comes to energy effectivity, shade gamut, and viewing angles, the MSI’s OLED panel blows IPS and VA (two different panel applied sciences generally discovered on gaming screens) screens out of the water. The trade-off, in fact, is the OLED price ticket. Even smaller, 27-inch OLEDs just like the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED can price round $1,000. Nonetheless, contemplating the scale of the monitor, the MSI is well-priced at simply over $1,000, with occasional gross sales that drop it slightly below that four-digit threshold.
The MEG 342C QD-OLED doesn’t simply have a handsome display. Its high-quality design extends to the construct as effectively. The stand, management stick, and shortcut buttons are adorned with a gold accent. Some would possibly say it’s a bit gaudy, however I believe the gold and black shade scheme seems good. Even the MSI emblem is emblazoned with a contact of gold.
At 14.76 inches by 32.10 by 11.54 inches (HWD), the monitor is a bit smaller than the Alienware 34 and an amazing deal lighter, weighing simply 20.5 kilos. Regardless of its small dimension and pleasing gold accents, nonetheless, it’s fairly chunky-looking general. However its bulkiness could be forgiven when you notice all of the connectivity that’s beneath the hood: one DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB-A ports, a USB-C connector (with energy supply as much as 65 watts), a USB-B port, and a headphone jack, all clearly marked with corresponding icons. On the left facet of the monitor, you’ll discover two extra USB ports, in addition to two further audio jacks: one for headphone-out and one other for microphone-in. And lining the underside of the monitor is MSI’s SpectrumBar, which supplies ample RGB glow for individuals who take pleasure in a rainbow gentle present on their monitor’s cupboard.
MSI additionally integrates options known as Gaming Intelligence and OLED Care into its MSI Middle, the OEM’s proprietary software program. Gaming Intelligence is supposed to optimize the efficiency of your monitor and deal with the firmware replace course of. It additionally has further capabilities, together with sport monitoring, in-game descriptions, sport setting information, and system settings. To make use of the software program, nonetheless, requires each the USB-B port and both the HDMI or DisplayPort to be related to your PC—if the USB-B connection just isn’t detected, the software program can’t acknowledge the display.
OLED Care is MSI’s try at burn-in safety, which may nonetheless be a problem with OLED screens. It is damaged into three elements: Pixel Shift, Panel Shield, and Static Display Detection. Pixel Shift strikes the pixels of the display at common intervals, stopping a static picture. Panel Shield refreshes the panel after a sure period of time has elapsed, and Static Display Detection mechanically dims the brightness of the monitor if it detects static pictures over a set time frame.
In testing, I discovered Gaming Intelligence to be extra bother configuring with the required cables than it is value, however I did discover the OLED Care choices to be helpful.
The display additionally helps picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes. Utilizing a number of enter sources, you possibly can play, watch, stream, and work on the similar time on one monitor, with separate home windows both facet by facet or nested inside each other—useful performance for multitaskers.
Testing the 342C QD-OLED: Spectacular Shade Accuracy
MSI’s curved OLED proves itself to be a beautiful monitor on the floor, however can it stand as much as a more in-depth evaluation? To seek out out, we examined shade gamut, brightness, shade accuracy, and distinction ratio utilizing our Calman monitor calibration software program, Murideo Six-G sign generator, and Klein Okay-80 colorimeter.
Our first take a look at measures the monitor’s brightness over an SDR sign in its default image mode. The MEG 342C QD-OLED reached 220 nits of brightness, which ought to be sufficient to battle glare from ambient lighting in a gaming den, however most likely is not sufficient for brighter environs. Nonetheless, the outcome does fall according to its 250-nit SDR ranking. The monitor has a VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, and we recorded 441 nits of brightness with HDR enabled.
The monitor’s color-gamut protection testing is subsequent to judge. The MEG 342C QD-OLED spanned 100% of the sRGB shade gamut, 76% of Adobe RGB, and 100% of DCI-P3. These are two good readings, although we had been stunned by the lower-than-expected Adobe RGB protection
Shade accuracy proved glorious. The MEG 342C QD-OLED recorded a Delta E of 0.8. The upper the Delta E, the extra the colours are inclined to stray from their meant hue. A worth beneath 1 is right, although most gaming screens are inclined to hover nearer to 2, particularly with out-of-the-box settings.
Subsequent, we have a look at the distinction ratio, which signifies the distinction in luminance between the brightest white and darkest black {that a} monitor can produce. It makes a distinction in image high quality, particularly throughout darkish scenes in gameplay. The MEG 342C QD-OLED measured 4,510:1 with a black stage of 0. OLED is famous for its “true blacks,” which suggests the pixel really shuts off fully, making a zero-light zone and higher image distinction versus IPS, VA, or TN panels. The monitor is rated for a peak distinction ratio of 1,000,000:1, however that is a quantity you’ll seemingly by no means see in regular use. OLED and mini LED panels can attain dramatically increased distinction ratios, at the least in concept, as a result of nature of the true black pixels.
Recreation and Media Efficiency
Shifting on to gaming efficiency testing, we use the HDFury 4K Diva HDMI matrix to find out the monitor’s enter lag, which we recorded at lower than 1 millisecond (ms), a wonderful outcome. The upper the refresh fee, the upper the body fee ceiling, and extra frames end in a smoother image displayed in your display. And on the monitor’s most 175Hz refresh fee, you’ll be capable of make the most of these excessive body charges (as long as your enter machine is highly effective sufficient to help them). The distinction might not matter in single-player video games, nevertheless it means life or dying in fast-paced shooters the place pace and accuracy are most necessary. Hardcore players need to search out excessive refresh charges at low enter lags, and the MSI obliges on each counts.
As for maintaining movement silky clean, the MEG 342C QD-OLED doesn’t help both AMD Freesync or Nvidia G-Sync, however quite is able to variable refresh charges (VRR). The distinction? Not a lot, actually. All three applied sciences are supposed to match the refresh fee of your monitor with the body fee of your supply, eliminating display tearing that might happen throughout body fee drops.
Actual-world testing concerned operating round Cyberpunk 2077, Returnal, and Counter-Strike: World Offensive, and each sport carried out effectively and with out main points or display tearing. There was no glare or distortion when viewing from the perimeters, and colours remained vibrant throughout just a few 4K video exams.
Verdict: A Worthy Funding
Within the still-exclusive world of big-screen OLED gaming screens, the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED is a shock hit, and one we’re very happy to suggest for players on the lookout for an immersive expertise. Costly however nonetheless fairly priced for its always-impressive OLED expertise, the curved monitor additionally has loads of extras, corresponding to HDMI 2.1 ports and USB-C jacks. Plus, the OLED burn-in prevention options may assist its high quality keep constantly nice for years to return. It may very well be brighter, positive, however the MSI MEG 342C QD-OLED is an proficient all-rounder for hooking as much as a high-end PC or console, and a very good entry level into the OLED gaming world.