A gaming monitor with a high refresh rate will elevate your gaming experience to the next level. If you have a mid-range to high-end PC, but you are still using a 60Hz monitor, you are robbing yourself of a much better and smoother gaming experience that only high refresh rate monitors can offer. The LG UltraGear 27GL850-B and the MSI Optix MAG271CQR are examples of excellent gaming monitors that offer gaming features such as a high refresh rate, adaptive sync and more. In this post, we’ll be reviewing and comparing the two to find out which one is better. By the end, you should be able to pick which one is best suited for you.
LG UltraGear vs MSI Optix Comparison Chart
| Model | LG 27GL850-B | MSI Optix MAG271CQR |
| Check Price | Check Price | |
| Size | 27 inches | 27 inches |
| Panel | Nano IPS Flat | VA Curved |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 144Hz |
| Response Time | 1ms | 1ms |
| Ports | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 2x USB 2.0 1x USB 2.0 Type B 1x 3.5mm analog audio | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 2x USB 2.0 1x USB 2.0 Type B 1x 3.5mm analog audio |
| Adaptive Sync | Freesync G-Sync certified | Freesync G-Sync compatible |
| Features | HDR10 Black Stabilizer | RGB PIP + PBP |
| Stand | Pivot, Tilt, Height adjustment | Tilt, Height adjustment |
LG UltraGear Review
The LG 27GL850-B is an excellent IPS 144Hz LG UltraGear 1440p display.
Design
As mentioned in our LG UltraGear vs Samsung Odyssey comparison, the LG 27GL850-B is a gaming monitor that can still pass as a professional monitor since its overall look does not scream gaming. Yes, it has a black and red color combination that’s common in gaming peripherals, but most of the red accents can only be seen at the back. At the front, the monitor looks just like a standard monitor.
At the back of the monitor are two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, two USB-A, one USB-B and a 3.5mm jack for your audio. It has the standard amount of ports that you’ll find in a monitor in its price range. When it comes to ergonomics, the stand offers tilt, pivot and height adjustment. It doesn’t swivel, however.
Features and Performance
The LG 27GL850-B is a 27-inch monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440, and it has a refresh rate of 144Hz. It sports a flat IPS panel that displays images with vibrant colors. Since it has an IPS panel, the viewing angles are excellent—the edges are accurate. That said, the LG 27GL850-B does suffer a bit when it comes to black colors. They tend to appear more as grey, especially when viewed in a dark or dimly lit room.
When it comes to gaming, the LG 27GL850-B is one of the best 144Hz monitors around. It offers smooth gameplay with minimal motion blur due to its fast response time at a refresh rate of 144Hz. Input lag is also a non-issue, especially when gaming at a higher refresh rate. The monitor is also compatible with both AMD Freesync and NVIDIA G-Sync.
Other features of the LG 27GL850-B are its black stabilization and its HDR10 support. Having HDR10 support allows you to enjoy HDR content, but the implementation of this tech in this monitor is just alright. It doesn’t reach the brightness needed to make images pop out when HDR is enabled.
MSI Optix Review
With its VA panel, the MSI Optix MAG271CQR can display deeper blacks than IPS competitors.
Design
The MSI Optix MAG271CQR has a more gamer look than the LG UltraGear monitor above. At the back, it has a controllable RGB zone that you can adjust via the OSD or via MSI’s software. There are various colors and patterns to choose from, so you can customize it to your liking.
The stand is solid and the monitor does not wobble when placed on a desk. However, it has poor ergonomics, only offering height adjustment and a limited tilt function. You can’t swivel or pivot the monitor. At the back, there are two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4 port, two USB-A, one USB-B and a 3.5mm analog connection for your headphone or speaker.
Features and Performance
As a 27-inch monitor with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, this monitor offers what many PC gamers consider the sweet spot in gaming. A 2560 x 1440 resolution is capable of displaying excellent images without needing to have the best and most expensive PC hardware (GPU). It has a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz and it has a curved VA panel.
A VA panel has a much better contrast ratio than an IPS panel, so it can display deeper blacks. However, a VA panel is also prone to ghosting and blur. The MSI Optix MAG271CQR can have a bit of ghosting, but it has a fast enough response time that motion blur is not an issue. Input lag is not an issue with this monitor as well, so you will have a great gaming experience with it. The monitor supports both Freesync and G-Sync as well.
Other features of the MSI Optix MAG271CQR worth mentioning are its PIP + PBP functions and its RGB lighting. With its PIP + PBP functions, the monitor can be used for multi-tasking using two different sources.
Differences
The LG 27GL850-B has a flat IPS panel while the MSI Optic MAG271CQR has a curved VA panel.
The biggest difference between the two is the type of panel they use. The LG UltraGear 27GL850-B has a flat Nano IPS panel that has more vibrant colors and wider viewing angles but struggle to output deep blacks. On the other hand, the MSI Optix MAG271CQR has a curved VA panel that has a higher contrast ratio but narrower viewing angles.
With its flat panel, the LG UltraGear 27GL850-B can also be used for professional work that deal with graphics and accurate colors. Meanwhile, the curved panel of the MSI Optix MAG271CQR can be more immersive when gaming or watching videos.
When it comes to gaming, the two are excellent. The LG UltraGear 27GL850-B has the advantage of having a faster response time, thus, no ghosting or motion blur. On the other hand, the MSI Optix MAG271CQR is more immersive due to its curved design and it has a higher contrast ratio.
One advantage of the LG UltraGear 27GL850-B over the MSI Optix MAG271CQR is its HDR10 support. You can watch movies and play games with HDR enabled and this can make the picture even better.
Verdict
The LG UltraGear 27GL850-B is better than the MSI Optix MAG271CQR in many ways.