When I first got this monitor I did not like it. The first few days I didn't have much time to figure things out so I was unhappy with the image quality and color. After spending some time trying different options I found a combination of settings that made everything much better for me. I'm happy as a clam now, this is much better than my old TN panel. I really notice a difference watching my HD video collection. Here are the settings that work best for me if that helps anyone out: refresh rate = 144hz , black tuner = 10 , response time = fastest , anti motion blur = on , image enhancement = medium , contrast = 67 or higher , sharpness = 0 , and for me i like color temp = warm .
I wanted to clear up any confusion on VESA mount compatibility and give my first impressions. The VESA mount is recessed into the back of the monitor. It is very likely that your VESA mount will not fit into this area. I have a VIVO dual monitor mount and it DID NOT fit into this recessed area. Thankfully I ordered a 100mm to 75mm VESA adapter suggested by a reviewer in a post on the MAG24C model. This worked like a charm. A quick note about uncovering the actual vesa mount. You'll have to remove 6 screws to get to it. 2 hold the back plate in and 4 hold the stock monitor stand. Be careful as both the back plate and monitor arm have tabs that slide into the monitor housing. Don't try to lift them straight out.
My Monitor arms
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YJCV464/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Adapter I used
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H4GTFE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So far I really like the monitor. When browsing the web or using word, it's pretty easy to see the curve. This isn't bad and doesn't detract from the overall experience. While watching movies or playing games, the screen appears flat. It feels very natural to look at. The 144hz refresh rate, if you're wondering, is much smoother when compared to 60hz. Just know that your graphics card will have to push 144 frames per seconds on games to fully utilize this feature. Don't forget to enable 144hz in the advance display settings. So far I like the colors on the monitor. They are very vibrant and seem true. The blacks are very black, which is probably a result of the greater contrast ratio from the VA panel. I get the sense that there's quite a bit of light fall off around the edges, but it's not noticeable during or distracting during normal tasks. I noticed it when I was check for dead pixels on a completely white background. Both of my monitors arrived in good condition (it was shipped from Florida to Hawaii), and both didn't have any dead or stuck pixels.
I think these monitors are a great value. If you're not a perfectionist when it comes to monitor color, light fall off, etc. and want a solid 144hz monitor with a VA panel that doesn't break the bank, get this!
UPDATE (11/18/2018): Knocking down a star because a month and a half after purchase, there is now one dead pixel on the left half of the screen. It's just one pixel and not that noticeable unless that area of the screen is displaying black color, but still disappointed since I spent 200+ on this monitor. (Attached a picture of the dead pixel. Ignore the screen bleed; it only appears that way on my phone's camera and not in real life)
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
After heavily weighing out all my options for a 144hz 1ms curved gaming monitor to connect to my gaming laptop and deciding to go for a 24 inch against my initial desire for a 27in monitor, I decided to pull the trigger on this one (MSI Optix MAG241C) and I am very happy with my choice. Some of the features that gravitated me towards this model was its improved colors compared to the similarly priced Optix G24c (DCI-P3 90% & sRGB 115% vs NTSC 85%, sRGB 110%), increased curvature from 1800 to 1500 (the smaller the number, the more curved), and smaller and sleeker looking bezels ("frameless design"), as well as the increased number of ports (2 hdmi ports, 1 displayport, 2 usb 2.0, and even an audio aux port if you want to connect your headphones or speakers to it). Stand and monitor is stable and won't rattle when you bump into your desk. Also has a retractable headset hanger on the side if you want to utilize that.
I'm no professional but the colors, contrast, and viewing angles look really good for a VA monitor and the screen quality is especially noticeable when compared side-by-side to my laptop's washed out looking colors (MSI GP62 7RDX). I was also surprised at the fact that I do not notice any screen bleeding at all as I was worried about this due to reviews on other MSI monitors. Since I the monitor will be under 2 feet away from my face, the 24 inch is in my opinion the perfect size. I thought I had an issue initially with flickering pixels, but I felt stupid after researching it and finding that the fix was to simply tighten the connections of whatever display cable you're using. To make use of the 144hz I had to get a mini-displayport to displayport cable because my laptop only has mini-displayport and it looks amazing, very noticeable difference from my previous 60hz monitor. Anyways, overall great quality monitor, good price, I recommend it.
Monitor looks great and comes with an HDMI, Display Port and USB hub cable.
The stand is metal and is easy to install by hand, no tools needed.
Curved display looks great.
(For those who don't know, you need to use a Display Port cable as well as change the refresh rate of the monitor in Windows 10 monitor options in order to get the 144hz refresh rate)
So far, about after 1 month of usage, i have to say that this is a very good monitor for the price you are paying. at the time, i purchased it at 212$ and for the price, it is amazing. it is indeed true 144hz which allows for amazing gameplay. the only issues ive had with this is that in the top right corner of the monitor, there was some white flickering and thought it was defective. However, after about 3 weeks, they disappeared. there was no more white flickering. but when the monitor was flickering, it was pretty noticeable and would've returned it if it never went away. besides that issue, 200$ for 144hz, curved gaming monitor, it is exactly what you would expect.
Feature Product
- Curved Gaming display (1500R) - The best gameplay immersion
- FHD High Resolution - Game titles will even look better, displaying more details due to the FHD resolution
- True colors - DCI-P3 90% & sRGB 115%
- 1ms response time - eliminate screen tearing and choppy frame rates
- AMD FreeSync - prevent screen tearing
- 144 hertz
Description
Visualize your victory with the MSI Optix MAG241C curved gaming monitor. Equipped with a 1920x1080, 144hz Refresh rate, 1ms response time panel, the Optix MAG241C will give you the competitive edge you need to take down your opponents. Built with FreeSync technology, the MAG241C can match the display's refresh rate with your GPU for ultra-smooth gameplay. Make sure you can hit your mark with all the latest technologies built-in the MSI Curved Gaming monitors for competitive play.
You get a great monitor for the price, several essential cables included!
The refresh rate is amazing, and the 1ms response time is superb! Using "Anti Motion Blur" will dim your screen but it works really well in darker environments... Turning it on will disable "HDCR" which automatically adjusts contrast and screen brightness. HDCR works well when you're in a bright environment, and freesync works with my RTX 2070 just fine, but both lock certain settings. I find it's better to leave freesync and Anti Motion Blur off during the day when it's bright so I can adjust the brightness, I don't notice any perceivable difference in framerates or response times with freesync or Anti Motion Blur off.
The curve is subtle and welcomed compared to my previous flat monitor, it's easier on my eyes and looks wonderful with my setup. The stand is sturdy and made of aluminum, there is no shake as I'm typing this. I'd wager even those of you who play on a desk with only three or two legs attached will see how sturdy this monitor is. ;)
My only gripe is with visual clarity, don't get me wrong, this monitor is very sharp with the right settings and with some adjusting you can improve the "stretched" look of this curved screen, however, due to physics, you cannot eliminate it entirely. Having said that, text can be a bit blurry sometimes, you should adjust your ClearType settings in Windows to improve it. This does not bother me because it is minimal and I use the monitor mostly for gaming. The screen has excellent color reproduction for the VA panel type and the refresh rate makes games clearer and quicker which helps me play better! Overall this monitor is probably the best one you can buy in this price range.
Monitor had everything it was said to come with. The screen is a lot darker in color compared to my other curved monitor. The headset arm that is on the left side of the monitor is only about an inch long, but it keeps my headset from falling. My only complaint is that my monitor mount didn’t fit on this monitor. I was able to screw it into the bottom screws, but because of the curve of the screen the plate backing didn’t match the holes for the mount. You can make it work, but if you’re going to not use the mount it comes with I would consider something different.
Moving from a 1080p 60hz monitor to a 1080p 144hz monitor has proven to be a night and day difference. Animations are way more fluid, the screen is larger than my previous and the curve makes gameplay seem more immersive. I am extremely happy in that regard.
My only gripe is that because it is a native 1080p monitor and it is larger, the pixels are more apparent. It isnt too big a deal, it would just have been nice to have a higher resolution. For the price, however, this is an unbelievable find and I am happy to have purchased this monitor.
When I set this monitor up and fiddled with its settings, I was fascinated with the options, there are loads of customization features to better fit the preference of the user, for instance you can change color temp to be warmer or colder, change the sharpness of imagery, and it even has a built in alarm clock!
Of course the features people buy this monitor for are the 144hz and 1ms response time. Which work wonders whether you're simply editing photos or playing fast paced action games, you can choose between three response times for your own preference, and the monitor has built in anti-motion blur to make everything look smooth. Overall I'd say I'm pretty satisfied with the experience I've been having for a 200 dollar monitor, and all the little things (like a headset hanger, and extra USB ports that are connected to your PC via USB-A!) make this purchase more than worthwhile.
Great monitor, great picture, 144hz feels amazing over 60hz, and a tip is to make sure that the display adapters are plugged in all the way so no flickering happens.
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