MSI OPTIX MAG251RX Review by RLCSContender

[RLCSContender*]

Did I write something wrong? Why my whole reply got removed? Are you guys supporting MSI?
I need to write it again using other words? Im not expert, but i count on numbers.

So again... basing on that screen I can see that MSI overshoot's seems worse compare to Asus overshoots.

all i wanna know is that true?

They both use different oscilloscopes. If anything, Hardware unboxed uses a huge sample size of the rise/fall transitions, compared to TFT who only uses about 15 or so and uses a 90/10 rule. So i wouldn't even compare their results to each other. Keep in mind, TFT had the viewsonic elite xg270qg faster than the LG 27gl850 yet hardware unboxed at the viewsonic elite xg270qg slower than the lg 27gl850. So there's contradiction among the mainstream reviewers.

also, 2%-3% overshoot error is EXTREMELY GOOD. That's among the best actually. For point of reference, the LG 27gl850 on its "fast" setting at 144hz is 2.5%. The MSI is 3% overshoot error, and the Asus has a 2% overshoot error. This in practice, u won't see at all. The MSI at 240z framerate, the only overshoot you see only happens on the beginning of the transition(like a a subtle flash of blue light. this happens about 5% of the time, which is not even significant), but after that, it's buttery smooth.

the msi's worst error at higher 36% are just one out of many rise/fall g2g transtions. Obviously the rise/fall g2g has outliers and it doesn't occur often enough to raise the error rate. Anything below 8-10% error rate from overshoots is excellent. 3% error rate(overshoot) is phenomenal.

[RLCSContender*]

addict FPS, if a monitor cannot get a 10 bit signal, it cannot get 1 billion colors, the same way if an HDR monitor cannot get an HDR signal, then u cannot use its HDR functionalities.

i'll give yuo a very good example of this. My wide gamut 98% DCI-p3, 133% srgb, 90% adobe viewsonic elite xg270qg cannot get a 10 bit signal. YEah, it's definitely a wide gamut monitor but because the g-sync chip prevents it from getting any HDR capabilities(10 bit sigal), it's limited to 8 bit colors. This LIMITS the wide color gamut to 16 million colors (LIMITED) when it can easily have FULL colors(1 billion) if it had a 10 bit signal.


The MSI can get a 10 bit signal, but other monitors with the same panel like the asus CAN'T. Iv'e experimented on th is already. at 8 bit, i saw WAY more color uniformity, inaccurate colors, and the color space is extremely limited. On 10 bit, i saw more accurate colors, less color banding, thanks to its dithering effects and anti banding effects.

8 bit+FRC on a 10 bit signal although may not be true 10 bit, it's based off software emulation(mixes the limited colors to make it look like it has 1 billion colors. , and not the hardware in which a true 10 bit monitor comes with.

Still, emulated 1 billion colors on FULL >>>>>16 million colors on limited. 8 bit+FRC uses the higher end spectrum(6/7) of its colors at all times, but on a 8 bit without FRC, it can't. Then again, this doesn't matter if there's an ICC profile that can emulate the factory SRGB anyway.

the only downside fromt he MSi is that it doesn't have an SRGB. So you have to tolerate slightly saturated colors since the gamut cannot be clamped to 99% srgb(the asus has SRGB). This is huge because if you want to edit photos or videos, no srgb mode means the colors won't be accurate to SRGB users who view the content.hen again, this doesn't matter if there's an ICC profile that can emulate the factory SRGB anyway.

u know what this means? This means that u don't have to OWN another monitor if you have the MSI. You have every thing on it. Fast 240hz ips, best overall for consoles because the overdrive tuning is excellent at 60hz on its fastest overdrive setting, you can do color accurate work if yuo have the right ICC profile, yet it has a slight wide gamut/oversaturation if u want vibrant images. U dont' need to own another monitor if you have the MSI. There's no reason to tbh

i can bet 90% of the people here have a monitor for "gaming" and amonitor for "every thing else" . That is redundant and takes up unnecessary desktop space. If you have the MSI, it has every thing you will ever need. No 2nd monitor necessary(unless you REALLy want a 98%-100% DCI-p3 133% srgb, in which i chose to own a xg270qg nano viewsonic for that reason).

[mello]

i can bet 90% of the people here have a monitor for "gaming" and amonitor for "every thing else" . That is redundant and takes up unnecessary desktop space. If you have the MSI, it has every thing you will ever need. No 2nd monitor necessary(unless you REALLy want a 98%-100% DCI-p3 133% srgb, in which i chose to own a xg270qg nano viewsonic for that reason).

MSI is still 1920 x 1080 (FHD) AND 24.5", and many people prefer to have larger panel with at least 1440p or even 4K for "everything else". So still, people will need to have seperate monitors for gaming and for other things.

[AddictFPS]

addict FPS, if a monitor cannot get a 10 bit signal, it cannot get 1 billion colors, the same way if an HDR monitor cannot get an HDR signal, then u cannot use its HDR functionalities.

https://www.anandtech.com/show/15682/i- ... ng-monitor

MAG251RX is not 10 bits signal monitor, is 8 + FRC signal monitor. They do it in the same way XV273X. Due to this XV273X also can show 1 billion colors and improve banding test and run HDR games at 60Hz.

Settings are the same on both monitors, with Nvidia GPU for instance, just select in Nvidia Control Panel 32bits 10bpc RGB Full

https://www.pugetsystems.com/pic_disp.php?id=49410 (capture is from another monitor, just for see the settings)

* Desktop color depth: Highest 32bits = RGBA 8 each channel -> 8bits is the base signal

* Output color depth: 10 bpc (bits per channel), here is where GPU read monitor firmware, detect native 8 bits, and activate 8+FRC signal, not 10bits signal. Is a 8bits base signal altered by GPUs output to 8+FRC

* Output color format: RGB (no color compression)

* Output dinamic range: Full/HDR (no contrast limitation)

In this same settings page, in order to activate HDR, is needed to change from (PC) 1920x1080 resolution to (Ultra HD, HD, SD) 1920x1080 mode, seems a Windows requisite.

[avertos]

Did I write something wrong? Why my whole reply got removed? Are you guys supporting MSI?
I need to write it again using other words? Im not expert, but i count on numbers.

So again... basing on that screen I can see that MSI overshoot's seems worse compare to Asus overshoots.

all i wanna know is that true?

They both use different oscilloscopes. If anything, Hardware unboxed uses a huge sample size of the rise/fall transitions, compared to TFT who only uses about 15 or so and uses a 90/10 rule. So i wouldn't even compare their results to each other. Keep in mind, TFT had the viewsonic elite xg270qg faster than the LG 27gl850 yet hardware unboxed at the viewsonic elite xg270qg slower than the lg 27gl850. So there's contradiction among the mainstream reviewers.

also, 2%-3% overshoot error is EXTREMELY GOOD. That's among the best actually. For point of reference, the LG 27gl850 on its "fast" setting at 144hz is 2.5%. The MSI is 3% overshoot error, and the Asus has a 2% overshoot error. This in practice, u won't see at all. The MSI at 240z framerate, the only overshoot you see only happens on the beginning of the transition(like a a subtle flash of blue light. this happens about 5% of the time, which is not even significant), but after that, it's buttery smooth.

the msi's worst error at higher 36% are just one out of many rise/fall g2g transtions. Obviously the rise/fall g2g has outliers and it doesn't occur often enough to raise the error rate. Anything below 8-10% error rate from overshoots is excellent. 3% error rate(overshoot) is phenomenal.

Hmm, okey, I think I will order both and refund one after I decide.
The overshoots change if the fps are lower?
I heard we still need to change the overdrive mode if the fps are under 200 fps (Faster or 60 OD on Asus)
That's sad because for 240hz its hard to have stable 240hz in all of games, in Battlefield 5 my fps are between 215 and 170. The faster mode or 80 OD on asus will be still fine? I prefer to don't see any flash around enemies etc, it distracts me.

Also. Asus as I believe has slighty lower input lag right?

[RLCSContender*]

I'm going to begin the 1 vs 1 series for the MSi MAg251rx to see how other 240hz ips monitors stand up against it . I will make these comparisons in layman's terms and use FACTS only, so no opinions or any subjective non-sense.

Dell Alienware AW2521HF vs the MSI optix MAG251rx (CONTEXT=OVERALL)

PRICE
AW2521HF price=$510
MAG251rx price=$380
Winner=MSI

blur reduction technology(BFi or backlight strobing)
AW2521HF=no backlight strobing
MAG251rx=has backlight strobing even at 240hz
winner=MSI

when this matters.#1 Physiology of vision, the photons from a sharp image on FAST MOVING OBJECTS will be sent to your brain and will sub-consciously give you better accuracy and reaction times.which means more accurate headshots or more accurate "shot on target" on rocket league without even thinking about it. .he sharper the image against fast moving objects, the better your accuracy will be since the extra sharpness will determine unequivocal confidence that you will get an ACCURATE headshoot or an ACCURATE "shot on target". strobing the backlight does this very well. Another thing, it gives you a 2nd option to play which may or may not break a bad losing streak. This however gives you more gameplay options which is a luxury to have if u intend to play a different way. This in turn will enhance your gaming experience.

HDR+console gaming
AW2521HF=VRR 40-24hz on HDMI
MAg251rx=VRR 40-240hz on HDMI
AW2521hf=optimal overdrive at 60hz=standard(normal)(ultra fast/extreme will give massive overshoot)
MAG251rx=optimal overdrive at 60hz=FASTER
AW2521hf=no HDR
MAG251rx=Has HDR(500 nits 1200 contrast ratio)
AW2521hf=Low framerate compensation
MSI=not freesync premiuim certified, so LFP isn't as good(then again, this doesn't matter since ps5/series x won't require LFP anyway)

winnerMSI

When these matter. Want to buy a ps5 or series x and have 3ms g2g average with 3ms input lag? The MSI does this well. THe overdrive tuning at 60hz is excellent on its fastest overdrive setting on the MSI, but not so much for the AW2521hf since anything above the normal overdrive setting will introduce overshoot (oh believe me, at 60hz, it's 100x more obvious).

HDR signal will increase the luminance(nits) to 480, but for the aLienware, it cannot get an HDR signal. VESA400 HDR may not be good, but if say yuo want to play a CONSOLE game, that vesa400HDR will start to kick in and yuo will see deeper blacks and whiter whites especially in videogames(for movies, don't even turn HDR on, it will wash out the colors since 1200 contrast ratio isin't nearly good enough to turn it on, but for videogames, there IS an important in picture quality, just don't turn HDR on if u are playing a competitive game, turn it on if you are playing an RPG or any slower games.

Colors/color accuracy/color accurate work/gamut
Aw2521hf=8 bit signal, 99% srgb(although slightly oversaturated), 16 million colors LIMITED
MAG251=10 bit signal, 99% srgb(although slightly oversaturated), 1 billion emulated colors FULL
Winner=MSI


overall performance in the context of gaming
AW2521hf= 2.2-2.6 g2g average on extreme overdrive IF DOUBLE certified(yes, the alienware is the only 240hz monitor that is double certified, this will mitigate overshoot even on extreme overdrive) is turned on. With roughly a 2.2-2.6 g2g, the 240hz ips alienware is faster than the 240hz ips MSI at 3ms g2g. .
MSI 251RX=3.0/3.1 g2g average.

The problem is, at 240hz framerate, adaptive sync isn't necessary anyway, and will just add unnecessary input lag. Not to mention, double certification doesn't benefit at framerates above 240hz, which means if the framerate is 380hz, since you NEED double certified to be ON to mitigate overshoot on EXTREME overdrive, you won't get the benefits of reduced input lag if you set a framerate cap within the double certified range of 40-240hz for the alilenware.

How the boneheads from dell not realize that is beyond me. Adaptive sync on a 240hz monitor is USELESS in the context of competitive videogames at high FPS (unless u have backlight strobing w/ adaptive sync on at the same time). All it does is add input lag, nothing more. All of the esports professionals can attes to what i'm saying.

The real optimal g2g average without the gimmicks=4.6-5.0ms for the alienware since anything above the standard normal overdrive will give ghosting unless dbl certified is on(which adds input lag)
the real optimal g2g average without gimmicks=3ms for the MSI, no adaptive sync or any gimmicks necessary.

winner=MSI

Stand and monitor quality and aesthetics

Winner=aw2521hf

The alienware has excellent monitor quality. Especially the stand. It can rotate, pivot, swivel, and can change the height. The MSI has a cheap plastic stand, no swivel, no rotation, no pivot. Just height only. (just my opinion) but The MSI is probably the ugliest monitor to look at it since it's thicker than the others, the 27gn750 and the AW2521hf are the best looking monitors. this probably explains why the alienware 240hz ips is $510, if you see it on sale, get it.

tld;rr;

The MSI is better in almost every way except the quality of the stand

winner=MSI

It's not even close.

[Zavon]

The MSI can get a 10 bit signal, but other monitors with the same panel like the asus CAN'T. Iv'e experimented on th is already. at 8 bit, i saw WAY more color uniformity, inaccurate colors, and the color space is extremely limited. On 10 bit, i saw more accurate colors, less color banding, thanks to its dithering effects and anti banding effects.

Interesting, would that be firmware shenanigans that Asus/Dell decided to just not include for some reason, or was MSI able to get their hands on better binned panels from AUO? I want to say they use the same panel between the three (well, not the 279). It's too bad all of these monitors are sold out everywhere though.

[Joel D]

Ok, but for me, I don't know what any of the terms, lingo, numbers, etc.. mean. (other than input lag and hz/fps/refresh rate)..

So all the geek talk aside, when you turn these on sit them side by side, calibrate them all to industry standard, which one looks best ? Which one gives you the closest representation graphics wise to what the game developer intended ?

Upon reviews, someone said the Alienware blacks sucked. Other reviews were favorable though and not so much with the other brands. lol, classic. I just want to know what to get. I usually am able to test in front of me, but between the 240hz monitors not being so popular at stores and C19 ruining our lives... its hard for me to test.

So I need a one shot, get it done type of purchase here. I got 3 weeks until my PC build is done.

[avertos]

@RLCSontender Nice comparisons

How would you compare the Msi MAG vs any other High end 240hz TN? I have found that HP Owen x 25 F is pretty cheap, and decent with all most important stats like motion blur, response time, input lag, it has even decent black uniformity compare to other TN panels.
I know it isnt IPS Panel with great 10bit colors, but if we skip colors, is that important difference?? I think that question is the most important if it comes to competive.

Why we do believe that only TN can be competive, is it about reverse ghosting? pixel render? etc

[Classy]

Excuse my Ignorance, could you please tell me what are the G2G/MPRT of the MAG251RX and the VG279QM?

Also, as I've seen, the VG279QM is the fastest but not necessarily the Clearer? Could you get me out of my confusion and enlighten me, I'd appreciate it.

(One last thing) Does the G2G/MPRT change if your OD setting is higher or ELMB-Sync is turned on? Appreciate the Info! Thank you