MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 evaluation: A top-tier ultrawide monitor

Finest Costs Right this moment: MSI MPG 341CQR

MSI’s MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is in some ways a flagship gaming monitor. It provides a Fifth-generation Samsung QD-OLED panel, a refresh charge of 360Hz, a USB-C port with 98 watts of Energy Supply, and it’s VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 licensed. Nevertheless, the monitor’s worth limbos below $1,000 — at $899.99, to be exact. That makes it a terrific worth and simple to advocate for all kinds of makes use of.

Learn on to study extra, then see our roundup of one of the best ultrawide screens for comparability.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 specs and options

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one more 34-inch ultrawide. Nevertheless, it’s a brand new and high-end mannequin, and so it packs a variety of options. These embrace the most recent five-layer tandem QD-OLED panel, a 360Hz refresh charge, and vary of ports together with USB-C with DisplayPort and Energy Supply.

• Show measurement: 34-inch 21:9 ultrawide
• Native decision: 3440×1440
• Panel sort: 5-layer Tandem QD-OLED
• Refresh charge: 360Hz
• Adaptive sync: Sure, Nvidia G-Sync Suitable, AMD FreeSync Premium Professional
• HDR: HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 Licensed
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1x USB Sort-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 98 watts of Energy Supply, 2x USB-A 5Gbps downstream, 1x USB-B 5Gbps upstream, 1x 3.5mm audio-out
• Audio: None
• Guarantee: 3-year restricted guarantee
• Value: $899.99 MSRP

Packing so many options right into a monitor does end in a considerably costly MSRP of $899.99 — although that’s common for a cutting-edge OLED monitor, and really slightly aggressive contemplating the options provided.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 design

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 has a design language typical for MSI’s gaming screens. This features a matte-black colorway and easy branding aside from a shiny MSI Dragon brand on one aspect of the show’s rear panel. It additionally has a small RGB-LED backlit MSI brand which provides a little bit of aptitude, nevertheless it’s not vivid.

I believe MSI’s screens are likely to look good at a mid-range worth level, however the firm struggles to drag off a high-end look in its premium screens. Asus and Samsung are higher at delivering high-end shows that feel and look as costly as they’re.

Appears to be like apart, the monitor is practical. It contains an ergonomic stand with vary of peak, tilt, and swivel adjustment. The monitor’s stand base is small and flat however usually secure, although I did discover only a hair extra wobble than I’d choose when the monitor peak was prolonged to its most. A 100x100mm VESA mount is out there, too, for mounting the monitor to an arm.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

I just like the monitor’s 1800R curve, which isn’t as aggressive as some opponents’ (a smaller quantity means a extra aggressive curve). The curve is simple to note, however as soon as I sat down and used it for just a few hours I rapidly forgot about it. I choose a delicate — and even no — curve on a 34-inch ultrawide monitor, so that is to my style.

On a remaining observe, the monitor’s energy board is inner. Some OLED screens will use an influence brick, which may allow a slimmer monitor design, however provides an adjunct it’s essential to place under your desk. I choose an inner energy board, so that is one other small victory for MSI.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 connectivity

Connectivity is a perk for the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36. The monitor’s video enter contains two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 2.1 (rated at UHBR13.5), and DisplayPort over USB-C. All of those ports can assist the monitor’s native decision of 3440×1440 at its most 360Hz refresh charge.

The USB-C port additionally gives as much as 98 watts of Energy Supply. That’s sufficient to deal with most MacBook fashions and most Home windows laptops with out discrete graphics, although there are just a few exceptions (like laptops with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Excessive).

A USB hub with KVM change is included and connects to a pair of downstream USB-A ports. They solely assist 5Gbps of knowledge, so high-speed exterior storage will see knowledge charges restricted. The USB-A ports could be pushed both by the USB-C port or a USB-B upstream port.

A 3.5mm audio-out jack rounds out the connectivity choices.

On the entire, the MPG 341CQR’s connectivity is stable for a gaming monitor, with the USB-C port taking the highlight. Whereas USB-C is now pretty frequent amongst high-end screens, it’s not assured in a gaming monitor, so its inclusion is appreciated.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 menus and options

MSI has put a variety of effort into its on-screen menus these days, and the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 advantages from it. The menu system is simple to manage because of the responsive joystick tucked behind the decrease bezel. MSI’s menus are well-labeled and simple to manage.

There are a variety of choices on provide right here together with exact gamma and colour temperature modes, a huge record of pre-set picture modes, picture-in-picture/picture-by-picture modes, decreased display house modes (like a 4:3 mode), and an enormous vary of OLED Care options that allow you to management how OLED care interacts with particular interface parts just like the Home windows taskbar and icons.

Associated to OLED care, the monitor contains presence detection options. This will dim or flip off the monitor if you step away — which is useful for stopping OLED burn-in and basic put on. These options usually work properly, although at occasions it could take 10 or 20 seconds for the monitor to detect your return.

The monitor options will also be managed in MSI’s Gaming Intelligence app for Home windows. It’s not my favourite software program management for a monitor in Home windows, nevertheless it works properly sufficient, and never all screens have this characteristic — Samsung and LG stay notable exceptions.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 audio

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED doesn’t embrace audio system.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 picture high quality

The MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED has a Fifth-gen tandem QD-OLED panel produced by Samsung. Whereas the panel isn’t superior to prime opponents, it does ship nice efficiency throughout a variety of assessments.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Beginning with SDR brightness, the MPG 341CQR manages to maintain a most SDR brightness of 300 nits. Because the graph exhibits, this isn’t a document for an OLED monitor, nevertheless it’s good. Latest OLED screens have usually raised the standard most SDR brightness to round 300 nits, and the MPG 341CQR meets that customary.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

There’s not a lot to say about distinction, however that’s good. OLED screens can obtain an successfully infinite distinction ratio as a result of their capacity to succeed in a minimal luminance of zero nits. The MPG 341CQR isn’t any exception right here, and it results in a picture with a terrific sense of depth.

Nevertheless, as a result of nearly all OLED screens provide this, the MPG 341CQR has no severe benefit right here.

One remaining factor to notice, nevertheless, is that the MPG 341CQR has a shiny end with MSI’s “Darkish Armor” anti-glare movie. It’s a usually good end that does mitigate glare whereas additionally offering a shiny and high-contrast look.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The MSI MPG 341CQR, as talked about, has a QD-OLED panel, and QD-OLED as a rule has a superb colour gamut. The colour gamut spans 100% sRGB, 98 p.c DCI-P3, and 94 p.c AdobeRGB.

Because the graph exhibits, it is a typical vary for a QD-OLED monitor. Nonetheless, it’s usually wonderful. A couple of years in the past, earlier than QD-OLED was fashionable, colour gamut figures like this had been staggeringly wonderful. They usually stay wonderful immediately, offering a vivid, saturated, and alluring look to the show.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Subsequent up is colour accuracy, and right here the MSI MPG 341CQR once more performs properly. The colour error is properly below a median colour error worth of 1.0, and that common low worth is the results of usually low values throughout the board (as a substitute of some low values and a few excessive values). This gives a sensible picture and can be excellent news if you wish to use the monitor for artistic work.

There’s extra excellent news there, too. The monitor has a default gamma curve of two.2 and a typical default colour temperature of 6400K. My default targets are 2.2 and 6500K respectively, so the MPG 341CQR is performing properly right here. Additionally, the monitor does embrace changes for these values, so you need to be capable of dial them in in case you want completely different gamma and colour temperature values.

Sharpness, nevertheless, is the MPG 341CQR’s worst trait (although that must be no shock). This can be a 34-inch monitor with a 3440×1440 decision, and whereas newer QD-OLED screens are higher in sharpness than their predecessors, there’s no getting round the truth that a pixel density of about 110 pixels per inch isn’t superb in 2026. A 27-inch 4K monitor, for instance, has about 163 PPI.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 HDR picture high quality

The MSI MPG 341CQR helps HDR10. It’s additionally VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 licensed and claims a most peak brightness of 1,300 nits. These are spectacular figures, and the MPG 341CQR is in reality a terrific HDR performer, although not essentially forward of the pack.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Trying on the graph, two issues stick out. First, the utmost sustained brightness of 953 nits in a 3% window is a good consequence. It’s not the perfect, however the margin of distinction between the leaders right here is low. For instance, I don’t suppose the LG Ultragear Evo 39GX950B-B will really look brighter in these check eventualities, despite the fact that it leads by 50 nits. That’s going to be exhausting to note in the true world.

Nevertheless, evaluating the MSI MPG 341CQR to the LG Ultragear Evo 39GX950B-B additionally reveals the place the MSI’s efficiency is extra middling. The MPG 341CQR isn’t all that vivid when content material calls for a bigger portion of the show be lit. Its efficiency continues to be usually on par with different QD-OLED screens, however some shows—just like the LG Ultragear Evo 39GX950B-B—are brighter total in these eventualities. Bear in mind, nevertheless, that the LG is about twice the value, so that you’re paying a premium for efficiency.

One space the place the MPG 341CQR has an edge over the LG, in addition to most different opponents, is in HDR brightness adjustment. MSI gives controls for brightness in HDR mode, in addition to controls to customise the HDR curve.

By default, HDR content material is meant to manage show brightness — which implies that in case you suppose the HDR picture is just too vivid, you’re out of luck. To make issues worse, HDR content material is usually created with the belief that the viewer is watching a TV from 10 ft away, not watching a monitor from two and a half ft away. Happily, manufacturers like Asus and MSI fight this with HDR brightness controls. It’s a vital characteristic for fixing an over-bright HDR presentation.

MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 movement efficiency

The MSI MPG 341CQR ups the refresh to 360Hz, which is a superb refresh charge for an ultrawide monitor. As you may count on, it results in very good movement efficiency. Small, fast-paced objects are usually legible, with particulars as small as just a few pixels huge seen. A quick digital camera pan in a 3D recreation will even retain most element, which is of explicit use in aggressive titles.

In fact, you could find higher efficiency. I’ve reviewed OLED screens with refresh charges as excessive as 540Hz. And sure, I do discover that the development is noticeable. Even so, 360Hz is excellent — and in case you’re upgrading from 120Hz or 60Hz you’ll be shocked at simply how crisp the MPG 341CQR seems to be in movement.

MSI additionally gives a black body insertion characteristic, on this case referred to as SLMB, when the refresh charge is at 240Hz or 360Hz. This inserts clean, black frames between present frames which, as a result of a quirk of human imaginative and prescient, really reduces perceived movement blur. I’ve discovered MSI’s implementation to be efficient, although to my eyes it nonetheless has a barely extra pronounced “double picture” than Asus’ implementation, which I discover to be the best. Additionally, the characteristic can’t be used alongside variable refresh charge options.

Talking of which, the MPG 341CQR helps each AMD FreeSync Premium Professional and Nvidia G-Sync for easy body pacing throughout a wide range of body charges.

On the entire, the MPG 341CQR is a good monitor for movement readability, significantly given its measurement, decision, and price ticket. You will discover screens with the next refresh charge, however supporting the refresh charge could be tough at 3440×1440 decision (as it could show too demanding in your {hardware}), and most OLED screens with a refresh charge above 360Hz are additionally dearer than the MPG 341CQR.

Do you have to purchase the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36?

In the event you’re on the lookout for a 34-inch ultrawide OLED monitor for gaming, you possibly can cease your search. The MSI MPG 341CQR goes to be just right for you. It has nice picture high quality, nice movement readability, and a variety of picture quality control, all at an inexpensive $899.99 MSRP.

However the MSI MPG 341CQR can be stable if you’d like a basic function monitor for, properly, absolutely anything. The monitor’s excessive colour accuracy, USB-C port with energy supply, and helpful design make it simple to advocate for work and for play. The one vital challenge price observe is the monitor’s sub-par pixel density — however that applies equally to any 34-inch monitor with 3440×1440 decision.

That makes the MSI MPG 341CQR simple to advocate at $899.99. It’s a stable mid-range OLED monitor with nice picture high quality and loads of options and nonetheless manages to maintain the value under the $1,000 mark.