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Head-to-head · Best 1440p 144hz Gaming Monitors

ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS vs MSI G274QPF-QD

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

MSI G274QPF-QD comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 4.1). MSI G274QPF-QD is best for: Budget-minded gamers who want a 170Hz quantum dot IPS panel and do not need USB passthrough. Read the strengths below before deciding.

ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS
Ranked #4 in Best 1440p 144hz Gaming Monitors
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS
4 sources$229as of Nov 1

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS is a budget 27-inch 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate, VRR support and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode. PC Gamer scored it 90 and called it a really, really quick monitor by IPS standards, with accurate colors out of the box and the best SDR handling in HDR mode it had seen from an affordable LCD. RTINGS rated it decent for PC gaming, crediting low input lag and sharp motion, but found low contrast with no local dimming, so blacks look gray in a dark room and highlights don't pop in HDR. It suits gamers who want a fast, well-calibrated 1440p IPS screen at a sensible price; anyone after real HDR or competitive-level refresh rates should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Very fast response for an IPS panel; PC Gamer said only OLED is clearly faster
  • — Accurate colors out of the box, including SDR content in HDR mode
  • — Supports all common VRR formats and has low input lag
Watch-outs
  • — Low contrast with no local dimming, so blacks look gray in a dark room
  • — Entry-level HDR400: highlights do not pop in HDR
  • — USB-C power delivery is only 7.5W, too little to charge a laptop
$229 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
MSI G274QPF-QD
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best 1440p 144hz Gaming Monitors
MSI G274QPF-QD
2 sources$244.98as of Oct 20

The MSI G274QPF-QD punches above its price point as an affordable 1440p gaming monitor. TweakTown praised its Quantum Dot Rapid IPS panel and 170 Hz refresh rate, calling it one of the most compelling and affordable 1440p gaming monitors available. Reviewers also flagged limits: HDMI caps at 144 Hz, and there is no USB passthrough or software support. Competitive esports players are the fit; anyone who needs full USB functionality is not.

Strengths
  • — Crisp Rapid IPS panel
  • — Color accuracy on par with more expensive options
  • — Impressive 170 Hz refresh rate
Watch-outs
  • — HDMI limited to 144 Hz
  • — No USB passthrough or software support
  • — No dedicated power button
$244.98 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS

RTINGS compared the ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACS directly with the AOC Q27G3XMN: the AOC's Mini LED backlight with local dimming makes it the better choice for HDR gaming, while the ASUS's wide viewing angles make it the better choice for sharing the screen. Unlike the Dell Alienware AW2725DF's 360Hz QD-OLED panel, it is an IPS LCD capped at 180Hz, and PC Gamer notes you have to move to OLED to get something unambiguously faster.

MSI G274QPF-QD

The MSI G274QPF-QD is a 27-inch Rapid IPS monitor like the MSI MAG 275QF, running at 170Hz against the MAG's 210Hz, and it costs less. It carries VESA DisplayHDR 400, where the AOC Q27G3XMN has DisplayHDR 1000 from a mini LED backlight. Its HDMI ports are limited to 144Hz and it has no USB passthrough.

Specs side-by-side

SpecASUS ROG Strix XG27ACSMSI G274QPF-QD
Screen Size27-inch27 in
Panel TypeFast IPSRapid IPS
Resolution2560 x 14402560x1440
Refresh Rate180Hz170 Hz
Response Time1ms (GtG, rated)1ms
HDRDisplayHDR 400 (no local dimming)—
Color Coverage97% DCI-P3 (rated)—
Inputs1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x USB-C (DP Alt Mode, 7.5W PD)—
Adaptive SyncVRR (all common formats, per RTINGS)—
StandHeight, tilt, swivel, pivot—
Brightness—300 cd/m² (Typ.), 400 cd/m² (Peak)
HDR Support—VESA DisplayHDR 400
Connectivity—2x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB Type-C (DP Alt.), 1x Headphone out
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