MSI MAG 275CQDF X24 27" Matte Black

The MSI MAG 275CQDF X24 is a 27-inch curved gaming monitor with a dual mode that switches between 1440p at 240Hz and 1080p at 400Hz. It's priced around $217 to $230 USD, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to get a high-refresh curved QHD panel. The VA panel has great contrast but mediocre brightness and some motion smearing, so it's best for budget-conscious gamers who want speed and immersion over HDR quality.

The performance numbers here are genuinely strong. Our database puts this monitor in the 94th percentile for performance, which is one of the best on the market for this category. The 240Hz refresh rate at 1440p is smooth, and the dual mode switch to 400Hz at 1080p is a standout feature for esports titles like Valorant, CS2, or Overwatch 2. You won't find many monitors at this price that offer both high resolution and ultra-high refresh in one box.

The 0.5ms response time is a GtG number, and like most VA panels, real-world pixel transitions won't always hit that. Dark smearing is a known VA weakness, and while MSI has tuned this panel to be faster than older VA tech, it's not going to match a good IPS or OLED in motion clarity. For fast-paced shooters at 400Hz, you'll notice some ghosting in high-contrast scenes. But for the price, the speed is impressive. Adaptive-Sync works over both HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4a, so tearing is handled whether you're on AMD or Nvidia (via G-Sync compatibility, though MSI only officially lists FreeSync Premium).

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG is a 1440p OLED that absolutely destroys this MSI in contrast, response time, and HDR, but it costs significantly more. The LG UltraGear 27GX790A-B is another OLED option with a 480Hz mode, again at a much higher price. The Samsung Odyssey G60SD brings a 360Hz OLED panel and better brightness, but you'll pay for it. The Gigabyte M Series OLED MO27U2 SA is a 4K OLED, so it's a different beast entirely for resolution-focused buyers. The Alienware AW2725D is a 360Hz QD-OLED that's faster and prettier, but also pricier.

The honest take is that all five competitors are OLED or higher-tier panels that cost more, sometimes double or triple. The MSI wins on price and the unique 400Hz dual mode. It loses on HDR, response time, and viewing angles. If you're on a budget and want high refresh gaming, the MSI is the value pick. If you can stretch your budget, any of those OLEDs will look dramatically better in dark scenes and feel snappier in motion.

At $217 to $230 USD, this monitor is a lot of screen for the money. You're getting 1440p, 240Hz, a curved VA panel, and the 400Hz dual mode, which is a feature set that usually costs more. The CAD price of $314 to $317 is also reasonable for the Canadian market. The GBP listing at 366 pounds feels less compelling, and the MXN price of 5,151 pesos puts it in a tougher spot against local alternatives. Compared to flat IPS 1440p 240Hz monitors, you're trading some motion clarity and viewing angles for better contrast and the curve. If you mainly play competitive shooters and want the 400Hz mode, this is a smart buy. If you're more into single-player eye candy, the 300 nits brightness and HDR Ready label won't blow you away.

The MSI MAG 275CQDF X24 is a 27-inch curved gaming monitor that sits in the budget-to-midrange bracket, usually landing around $217 to $230 USD. It's built around a VA panel with a 1500R curve, QHD resolution, and a dual mode trick that lets you swap between 1440p at 240Hz and 1080p at 400Hz. That's the headline feature, and it's aimed squarely at competitive FPS players who want one screen for both sharp daily use and twitchy esports sessions.

MSI is pitching this as a monitor for FPS, RPG, and racing sim fans. The curve is aggressive enough to feel immersive without being silly, and the VA panel brings a 5000:1 static contrast ratio, which means deeper blacks than your typical IPS panel in this price range. You also get AMD FreeSync Premium, HDR Ready support, and a 0.5ms GtG response time claim that's more marketing than reality, but we'll get into that.

If you're searching for a 240Hz 1440p curved gaming monitor under $250, this one shows up a lot. The question is whether the dual mode gimmick and VA panel trade-offs make it worth your cash compared to flat IPS alternatives or pricier OLED options.

Skip this monitor if you're a competitive esports player who wants the absolute cleanest motion. The VA panel's dark smearing will annoy you in fast flick shots, and a 1080p 360Hz or 400Hz IPS panel will feel snappier. Also skip it if you care about HDR or bright rooms, since 300 nits is underwhelming and the HDR Ready badge is mostly marketing. If you do color-critical work or need wide viewing angles for multi-person viewing, the VA panel's color shift off-axis will frustrate you. For those users, a flat IPS 1440p 240Hz monitor or a budget OLED like the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG is a better fit, though you'll pay more.

Should you buy the MSI MAG 275CQDF X24? If you want a 240Hz 1440p curved gaming monitor under $250 and you play a mix of competitive and casual games, yes. The dual mode is a real feature, not just a checkbox. Switching to 1080p 400Hz for a Valorant session and back to 1440p for everything else is genuinely handy, and the VA contrast makes games look richer than a budget IPS panel.

But if you're sensitive to ghosting or you care about HDR, this isn't the monitor for you. The 300 nits brightness and HDR Ready label are weak, and the VA panel's dark smearing will bug you in fast-paced scenes. For pure esports players who want the absolute fastest motion clarity, a 1080p 360Hz or 400Hz IPS panel might serve you better. For everyone else who wants a big, curved, high-refresh screen without spending OLED money, this MSI is a solid pick.