What’s Good
- FreeSync support
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Affordable Price
- Impressive contrast levels
- Great Image Quality after calibration
- 1ms response time
What’s Bad
- Tilt-Only stand
- Not VESA compatible
What is MSI OPTIX G27C2?
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 is a 1080p 144Hz gaming monitor. It is one of the first monitors that MSI manufactured. It offers great performance and requires a few tweaks here and there. Read this review of the MSI OPTIX G27C2 to learn more about it.
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MSI OPTIX G27C2 – Image Quality
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 is a curved 27-inch Full HD gaming monitor. It has a curvature of 1800R. It covers 110% of the SRGB color gamut and supports a true 8-bit color gamut.
The color accuracy of the monitor should be very good when you consider its specs on paper but it disappoints. The out-of-box color accuracy of this monitor is very bad. It definitely needs proper calibration.
Here are the best color calibration settings of the MSI OPTIX G27C2 for better color accuracy.
- Mode: Standard
- Brightness: 10
- Contrast: 65
- Red: 53
- Green: 57
- Blue: 59
- DCR: Off
- Overdrive: Normal
Even if you don’t have a calibrating device, these settings should bring a massive improvement for you in terms of overall color quality. Do keep in mind that every monitor is different. These settings worked for me. They are not a standard and you can always tweak them if you see an improvement in your monitor.
Once this monitor is calibrated, you can observe night and day difference in terms of color accuracy. The overall color quality is much better. The images appear vibrant and colors pop out. Playing games and watching movies will be a treat to the eyes. You can even use it for casual photo editing.
VA panels are known for their superior contrast levels. The MSI OPTIX G27C2 has a contrast level of 3000:1. In real-world conditions, it exceeds that level and is in between 3600:1 and 3700:1.
This results in sharp-looking images that are full of life. The colors become distinctive. The images will have more depth to them. The blacks appear darker and whites appear brighter. The curved screen only adds to the immersion.
It has a brightness of 300-nits. The monitor is fairly bright. In most cases, it will be sufficient and sometimes you will need to tone it down to reduce eye strain.
The viewing angles of this monitor are fair. They are neither as wide as those in the IPS panels nor as narrow as TN panels where you get washed out colors. They are decent enough for a VA panel and you notice any major change in colors, brightness, and contrast levels as long as you’re facing the monitor directly.
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 has a pixel density of 81PPI. It is decent enough for gaming and watching movies. Text and images should also be sharp enough without any pixelation as long as there is an arm length’s distance between you and the monitor.
There were no dead pixels on the monitor we reviewed. It had minor backlight bleeding towards its edges that was only visible during dark areas of a game or movie. It is definitely tolerable and common for VA panel monitors.
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 has a matte anti-glare coating on it. It will effectively diffuse any distracting reflections that form on it.
MSI OPTIX G27C2 – Design, Ergonomics, and Connectivity
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 looks stylish. It definitely hit the bull’s eye in terms of aesthetics. The black cabinet has a matte finish and also has red metallic highlights at the right spots. The bezels are also thin and reduce distractions when you use it for multi-monitor setups.
The overall build quality is decent. It is made of good quality plastic that is durable. The stand is also sturdy and provides stability without any wobble.
The OSD buttons are placed on the right-hand side of the lower bezel. They help you navigate the OSD menu and adjust various settings. They are easy to reach and user-friendly.
In terms of ergonomics, you are only limited to the -5°/15° tilt functionality. Other adjustments like height adjustment, swivel, and screen rotation are absent. It also doesn’t have a VESA pattern. You cannot wall mount it or connect it to a third-party stand.
The connectivity options of the MSI OPTIX G27C2 are: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, DVI-DL x 1. The DisplayPort supports 1080p at 144Hz while the HDMI supports 1080p at 120Hz.
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MSI OPTIX G27C2 – Performance
The gaming performance of the MSI OPTIX G27C2 is more than satisfactory. It has almost every feature a serious gamer would want on his monitor.
It has a refresh rate of 144Hz. Gaming will be buttery-smooth. You will find a lot of difference in the smoothness of motion if you’re switching over from a 60Hz monitor.
It has a 1ms response time and its input lag is around 4ms. This is impressive when you consider it uses a VA panel.
There were slight ghosting and motion blur on this monitor. This is expected for VA panel monitors. It shouldn’t be a major drawback and most Players will not notice them.
You can also use it for competitive gaming. Though I suggest 1ms TN panel monitors for hardcore competitive players since there will be no ghosting on them.
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 also supports AMD’s FreeSync variable refresh rate technology. It will sync the refresh rate of the monitor with FPS and eliminate screen tearing, lagging, and stuttering during gameplay.
It also works without any issues with most Nvidia graphics cards (10-series and later).
I also recommend using the MSI OPTIX G27C2 for consoles like PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Though they may not make use of its 144Hz refresh rate, you will have an immersive gaming experience thanks to its curved screen and high contrast levels.
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MSI OPTIX G27C2 – Features
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 has a blue light filter. It is also flicker-free. You can enjoy gaming on it for long hours without worrying about eye strain and headaches.
Other gaming features include custom image presets like FPS, Racing, RTS, etc. that enhance the image quality. You also get Custom crosshairs, timers, etc. that improve your accuracy and performance in games.
The overdrive feature helps you tweak the response time of the monitor. I suggest you set it to normal for better performance, less motion blur, and minimal ghosting.
You can also adjust various other settings like color, contrast, brightness, gamma, etc. using the OSD menu. It is straightforward and user-friendly.
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Monitors similar to MSI OPTIX G27C2
The Asus VG278QR is an excellent alternative to the MSI OPTIX G27C2. It is a 27-inch gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, G-Sync support, and Extreme low motion blur. It is an excellent choice for serious gamers.
The Acer ED273UR Pbidpx is a curved 27-inch gaming monitor. It offers you a better contrast ratio, a 144Hz refresh rate, and supports G-Sync technology. It comes at a similar price to MSI OPTIX G27C2 and is definitely worth checking out.
The Sceptre E248B-FPT168 is an IPS Gaming Monitor. It supports the 165Hz refresh rate and supports FreeSync technology. It offers you the best of both worlds in terms of image quality and gaming performance. It comes at an affordable price and is a decent gaming monitor.
The AOC G2590FX is a 25-inch gaming monitor. It is a great choice for competitive gamers. It supports 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and Nvidia G-Sync technology. It also has a decent image quality for a TN panel monitor. Definitely take a look into it.
The ASUS VP249QGR is a cheap but powerful 24-inch Gaming Monitor. It offers you 144Hz 1ms gaming performance. It has a decent image quality, supports FreeSync and Extreme Low Motion Blur technology. It is a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
MSI OPTIX G27C2 Review – Final Thoughts
The MSI OPTIX G27C2 is an excellent choice for gaming. You can get it to perform better in aspects like image quality and gaming performance by applying the above-said tweaks. It may not be the most perfect monitor but it provides a better value for money and comes at a better price than most of its competitors. I would definitely recommend it.
Who should buy the MSI OPTIX G27C2?
1.Those who want an affordable monitor for 1080p 144Hz gaming.
2.Those who want a gaming monitor with thin bezels for multi-monitor setups
MSI OPTIX G27C2 Specs
| Screen Size: | 27 Inches |
| Resolution: | 1920 x 1080 FHD |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
| Panel Technology: | Vertical Alignment (VA) |
| Refresh Rate: | 144hz |
| Response Time: | 1ms |
| Contrast Ratio: | 3000:1 (Static) |
| Brightness: | 300 cd/m² |
| Speakers: | No |
| Stand: | Tilt Only |
| VESA Compatibility: | No |
| Connectivity: | DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, DVI-DL x 1 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 24.5″ x 17.8″ x 9.0″ |
| Weight: | 12.79lbs |
MSI OPTIX G27C2 Review: Amazing 1080p 144Hz Monitor
This review of the MSI OPTIX G27C2 covers everything you need to know about it. All its pros and cons are explained. Its complete specs and other alternatives are also mentioned.
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Vishwak is the man behind YourTechBro. He has been into technology ever since his dad brought him a PC when he was a 10-year old. He is an avid PC gamer, Android Fanboy, and a Tech geek.
