Thursday, June 6th 2024
MSI Shows New Range of QD-OLED Gaming Monitors at Computex
MSI has become something of a major player in the gaming monitor market and the company had a range of new OLED and QD-OLED models on display at Computex 2024. Let's start with the biggest buzzword model, the MEG 321URX QD-OLED which MSI claims is the world's first true AI gaming monitor. The so-called AI engine is supposed to help gamers lose less with features like AI Skysight which scans the game's mini map in real time for threats and then points them out to the player. There's also the ability to display certain stats on the monitor's "SpectrumBar" which is an RGB light strip below the monitor. Looking at the actual specs we find a next-gen 31.5-inch, 4K QD-OLED display panel with 240 Hz refresh rate and a 0.03 ms grey to grey response time. There was no mention of any HDR certification for this model.
Connectivity wise many of you will not be happy to see DisplayPort 1.4 as the main input, although it also has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB Type-C with DP Alt-mode support that also offers 98 Watts of USB PD charging, one USB 2.0 Type-B input, two USB 2.0 Type-A outputs and a headphone jack. KVM support is part of the package and MSI states it has improved the cooling by using a graphene film and a custom heatsink so the QD-OLED panel should run cooler than competing products. The MEG 321URX finally comes with OLED Care 2.0 which MSI claims will "significantly reduce the chances of OLED screen burn-in" according to the information provided at the show. According to TFTCentral, it will cost US$1700, but there's no availability date as yet.
Next up we have the MPG 341CQPX QD-OLED which is a 34.18-inch display with 3440 x 1440 resolution and an 1800R curvature. The refresh rate and response time remains the same as on the MEG 321URX. The connectivity remains identical as well. The MPG 341CQPX is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 and ClearMR 13000 certified. It should be available in the US sometimes in July, followed by Europe in August and it will retail for US$1000/£950/€1100.
This is followed by the MAG 321UP, which is another 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor which MSI says features a next-gen QD-OLED panel. However, it only gets a 165 Hz refresh rate, but retains the fast response time of the previous two models. MSI has trimmed the "fat" on this model, which means no KVM support and only 15 Watt USB PD charging support. It also gets the lower VESA ClearMR 9000 certifications, but it too is DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified. It should be available sometime in June for US$900.
Finally we have the MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, which is a smaller 26.5-inch 1440p model with a 240 Hz refresh rate. It gets the same connectivity and features as the MAG 321UP, with the only difference being that it has VESA ClearMR 13000 certification. It should be available this month for US$800.
Connectivity wise many of you will not be happy to see DisplayPort 1.4 as the main input, although it also has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB Type-C with DP Alt-mode support that also offers 98 Watts of USB PD charging, one USB 2.0 Type-B input, two USB 2.0 Type-A outputs and a headphone jack. KVM support is part of the package and MSI states it has improved the cooling by using a graphene film and a custom heatsink so the QD-OLED panel should run cooler than competing products. The MEG 321URX finally comes with OLED Care 2.0 which MSI claims will "significantly reduce the chances of OLED screen burn-in" according to the information provided at the show. According to TFTCentral, it will cost US$1700, but there's no availability date as yet.
This is followed by the MAG 321UP, which is another 31.5-inch QD-OLED monitor which MSI says features a next-gen QD-OLED panel. However, it only gets a 165 Hz refresh rate, but retains the fast response time of the previous two models. MSI has trimmed the "fat" on this model, which means no KVM support and only 15 Watt USB PD charging support. It also gets the lower VESA ClearMR 9000 certifications, but it too is DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified. It should be available sometime in June for US$900.
Finally we have the MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2, which is a smaller 26.5-inch 1440p model with a 240 Hz refresh rate. It gets the same connectivity and features as the MAG 321UP, with the only difference being that it has VESA ClearMR 13000 certification. It should be available this month for US$800.
39 Comments on MSI Shows New Range of QD-OLED Gaming Monitors at Computex
Elsewhere we see 1k and frown upon it being expensive. Here its 'the best pick'. :) Marketing. The AI option is just there to guide you to the 949,- product, much like the 899, one. I mean you have to be a special kind of noob to pay 700 bucks to get your health bar flashing in your face all the time. Imagine playing Diablo with that, constant random flashing usually way too late as your health has regenerated already. Its not only pointless, it would annoy your socks off.
Second and subsequent batches have a chip in them that will facilitate firmware updates, how exactly was unclear but Tim said other monitors have used dp for the data ingress so who knows.
All in all, it seems like a meme of a cert and DEFINITELY asking whether it results in perceivable difference when you can provably take two monitors with the same certification and they OBJECTIVELY will perform differently is, frankly, pointless.
Tl:dr Nothing had changed since this article.
Im starting to second guess wanting one after hearing some more horror stories of burn in.
tftcentral.co.uk/news/an-update-and-correction-for-the-new-34-ultrawide-240hz-qd-oled-panel
Sadly, they do not feature the updated subpixel layout and instead appear to be using the 1st gen layout.
Why is Samsung Display still manufacturing new 2024 240 Hz ultrawide panels with 1st gen pixel layout from 2022 is a mystery.