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For the previous few weeks we have been testing the upcoming MSI MPG 321URX, a brand new gaming monitor packing one of many long-awaited 32-inch 4K 240Hz QD-OLED panels, and as we speak we will provide a preview and share as a lot as we are able to about this product. This can be a pre-production unit, so we’re not allowed to share efficiency information simply but, however we do have fairly a bit of data to go over and solutions to questions we anticipate you may need.
To begin with, the MSI 321URX might be obtainable within the US, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand beginning in February, with a wider launch in March, priced at $1,200. That is across the mark of different premium OLED shows and will slot in properly contemplating that 1440p 240Hz WOLEDs at the moment are down across the $800 mark. It does stay a premium-priced monitor, however this value is way from extreme contemplating what some monitor producers have charged for true HDR shows over the previous few years.
This value level ought to be indicative of the competitors that is set to land on the gaming monitor market in 2024. This MSI monitor shouldn’t be the one one to make use of this 4K QD-OLED panel – different variations from Asus, Dell, Samsung, and extra are additionally launching quickly. We’re additionally anticipating intense competitors as a second 32-inch 4K 240Hz OLED panel from LG Show can be coming. This LG WOLED panel will provide dual-mode performance, doubling as a 1080p 480Hz show. With so many choices and, crucially, a number of panel producers focusing on this spec, a fiercely contested battle ought to hold costs in examine.
Fundamentals and Specs
The MSI 321URX makes use of a 2nd-generation QD-OLED panel, that includes a smaller pixel construction to permit for the next density 4K decision in comparison with latest 49-inch super-ultrawide QD-OLEDs. The show is barely overprovisioned with extra pixels for pixel shifting performance whereas sustaining a full 3840 x 2160 decision, a typical function in gaming OLEDs.
MSI is quoting a 0.03ms grey-to-grey response time. Nonetheless, we’re not anticipating any response time efficiency variations in comparison with different OLEDs, which usually sit within the 0.2 to 0.3ms vary based mostly on our testing.
They’re additionally quoting 250 nits of typical brightness for full-screen sustained SDR utilization, in addition to 1,000 nits of peak brightness for HDR. We will not present you precise numbers simply but, however these figures align with what we have seen from different QD-OLEDs, so brightness traits ought to be related. It comes DisplayHDR True Black 400 licensed, which is similar spec different QD-OLEDs have obtained, to not be confused with DisplayHDR 400 for LCDs.
For ports, we’ve got DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, two HDMI 2.1 ports, and USB-C with DP-Alt mode and 90W of energy supply. All these ports assist the complete 4K decision at as much as 240Hz. Options like DSC imply DisplayPort 1.4 stays adequate for this sort of show, as we already knew from the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8. This contains 10-bit HDR and adaptive sync as effectively, without having for uncommon subsampling methods. There’s additionally a built-in KVM change.
One of many foremost questions we had stepping into was whether or not these 32-inch 4K OLEDs would require energetic cooling like another QD-OLED displays or whether or not they might function passively. We will verify the MSI variant is silent and makes use of passive cooling by a customized heatsink. This heatsink is contained throughout the central field on the rear, from which the QD-OLED panel extends outwards, much like the Asus PG27AQDM, which can be a passively cooled monitor utilizing WOLED expertise.
We sat proper subsequent to it whereas in operation and it is useless silent, which is at all times a aid as energetic cooling has been a nuisance on another gaming displays just like the AW3423DW.
Display Coating and Panel Composition
For panel composition and coating, it is a traditional Samsung 2nd-gen QD-OLED panel, that means it is shiny with an “anti-reflective” floor therapy. Evaluating it facet by facet with one other 2nd-gen QD-OLED, the Asus PG49WCD, exhibits that the reflectivity of the glass for each ambient mild and objects in entrance of the show is comparable.
Some ambient mild is mirrored in brighter lighting circumstances because of the panel composition, a typical problem for QD-OLEDs throughout all fashions, and that is no completely different right here. Nonetheless, as TFT Central has confirmed, this 2nd-gen QD-OLED design is more practical than 1st-gen QD-OLEDs, just like the 34-inch 3440×1440 175Hz panels, by way of minimizing ambient mild reflectivity.
Mirror-like reflections are additionally seen at instances, although usually, QD-OLEDs are respectable at minimizing this problem in comparison with different shiny panels.
So for those who’re questioning whether or not you may have to optimize lighting circumstances to make use of a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor, we suspect that would be the case, although to a considerably lesser extent than the unique ultrawides. In our workplace space, which is commonly effectively lit by daylight or overhead lights, we did discover raised blacks. Nonetheless, when shifting lights behind the show or utilizing it in a dimmer surroundings, it is a full non-issue.
We expect what we have stated beforehand about QD-OLED panel coating and composition will stay true with these newer 4K panels as seen within the MSI 321URX, however we’ll want extra time with it and to conduct extra testing to verify what we have seen on this preliminary hands-on preview.
Textual content Readability
Pixel density and textual content readability is one other large query: is a 4K QD-OLED appropriate for desktop work? Effectively, placing burn-in apart for a second, we have been genuinely fairly impressed with the textual content readability after utilizing this monitor for a couple of days.
This is not the identical sort of in depth testing we do for our full evaluations, however our preliminary impressions are that the pink-green fringing seen from 1440p-class QD-OLEDs, particularly the preliminary wave of 34-inch ultrawides, is way much less noticeable at a 32-inch 4K pixel density. The development from 110 PPI to 140 PPI is a major 27% acquire, and mixed with the 2nd-gen QD-OLED subpixel construction, textual content readability is a lot better.
I sometimes use 32-inch 4K displays at 125% scaling in Home windows, which appears to be like nice on the 321URX, however we additionally tried 100% scaling and located that to be very usable as effectively. On first-gen QD-OLEDs at a decrease pixel density, the fringing points are straightforward to identify and have been one of many downsides we identified in these evaluations. Nonetheless, on this monitor, the textual content readability appears to be like fairly nice. In fact, some individuals by no means had a problem with these first-generation panels both, however we predict these individuals will discover an enchancment with the 32-inch 4K panels and suspect anybody on the fence who was apprehensive about textual content readability might be very glad with this show.
The massive check, after all, is whether or not or not this QD-OLED panel with its triangle RGB subpixel format (sure, nonetheless triangle RGB right here) is pretty much as good as a 32-inch 4K IPS with a conventional RGB stripe for textual content readability. You will have to attend till the complete evaluate to see a extra in depth take a look at this, however our preliminary ideas are that it is truly surprisingly shut. To our skilled eyes, we would say an IPS panel nonetheless appears to be like barely higher, however we predict many individuals would discover it arduous to identify the distinction. It really seems that this MSI monitor and QD-OLED panel are in a position to ship a real 4K expertise for textual content.
Burn In Safety Options
On the burn-in facet of issues, OLED nonetheless carries a danger, and with 2nd-gen QD-OLED and actually any OLED, we’re nonetheless in a little bit of an unknown section the place we do not actually understand how lengthy these panels will final for desktop utilization. We suspect many consumers might be fascinated with a show like this for each gaming and desktop work. We’re undecided how snug we would be recommending it for that, however we did spot some fascinating options that MSI is offering.
Within the OLED care part, we discovered all the same old stuff for burn-in mitigation: pixel shifting, panel defend (a.ok.a. panel refresh, pixel refresh, or pixel compensation), and static display screen detection. Nonetheless, there’s additionally some new stuff: multi-logo detection, taskbar detection, and boundary detection.
These are extra measures to detect and dim static parts. Taskbar detection, for instance, does precisely that; it makes an attempt to acknowledge and dim the Home windows taskbar, serving to to stop that space from burning in, even when the general display screen brightness is comparatively excessive. Sadly, these three new options are the one ones that require adaptive sync to be disabled to operate, a bit annoying for those that will allow VRR for gaming. However once more, it is a pre-production pattern, so it is not clear whether or not that would be the case with closing retail items.
However, it is nonetheless good to see extra methods being carried out in newer shows to aim to increase the lifespan of QD-OLED panels. Finally, it ought to get to the purpose the place the panels are strong sufficient and the panel care options sensible sufficient that this sort of displays might be excellent even for desktop use, and we can’t want to fret about burn-in. We’re not there but, nevertheless it’s one thing we’ll hold wanting into with future monitor releases.
Additional Impressions
So, how was utilizing the MSI 321URX for 4K 240Hz HDR gaming? Sure, it is a very spectacular expertise. It is a shiny monitor with a superb distinction ratio, and it seems to be the identical QD-OLED expertise we have come to like in different merchandise, however now at a extremely sought-after measurement and determination.
That is principally what everybody has wished for the reason that daybreak of OLED shows: a high-resolution gaming model at a good measurement. This seems to be that, and it has been a pleasure to make use of up to now – we’ve not used it lengthy sufficient to determine if there are efficiency points, lacking options, or different annoyances, so search for our full evaluate in a while.
It is also a really excessive refresh price monitor. We do not assume we’re allowed to indicate a UFO Check outcome, however for those who’ve seen outcomes from 240Hz 1440p WOLED evaluations, you could have a reasonably good concept of what to anticipate. The movement readability right here is superb, and with such a excessive decision and refresh price mixture, that is the kind of product that ought to final for a very long time, by a number of generations of GPU {hardware}. Throughout our hands-on time up to now, we did not spot any points with low brightness flicker, low refresh price gaming, or adaptive sync.
Lastly, some fast phrases on MSI’s design… we predict it appears to be like alright, particularly from the entrance the place the principle show part is skinny and has comparatively slim bezels. The rear field part is a bit busy for our liking close to the vent part on the prime, nevertheless it does have a little bit of RGB LED lighting. The stand itself is product of a reasonably fundamental black plastic for the outer surfaces. It has all the same old ergonomic adjustability, apart from with the ability to use it in a portrait orientation; you may pivot the show barely however not all the way in which to portrait.
These are our preliminary impressions of the MSI MPG 321URX. If you wish to see a full evaluate with precise efficiency numbers, we ought to be receiving a closing retail mannequin in February to check it out across the time of launch. This very a lot seems to be the flagship gaming monitor that many individuals have been ready for.
In fact, it would even be fascinating to see what different distributors do with this QD-OLED panel, in addition to how the dual-mode WOLED panel stacks up with its fascinating 1080p 480Hz mode. It seems as if these QD-OLEDs will hit the market first, with the WOLED panel to observe, however definitely, there’s loads of testing to do in 2024.
Purchasing Shortcuts:
- Alienware AW3423DW 34″ QD-OLED on Amazon
- Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 on Amazon
- Asus ROG Swift OLED PG49WCD on Asus
- Asus ROG Swift PG42UQ on Amazon
- Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 on Amazon
- LG C2 42″ OLED TV on Amazon
- Corsair Xeneon Flex on Amazon
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