Summary
The MSI MEG381CQR+ is the current flagship from MSI and basically offers everything you need. Or not really needs and thus the price is driven up unnecessarily. We are talking about RGB lighting, an extra OLED display as status indicator and other gimmicks. This can only be evaluated subjectively and remains a matter of taste. You have to factor in the extra charge and want it.
In addition to the now-standard OSD features like dark enhancers, crosshairs, etc., the monitor comes with an LG LCD Nano IPS panel and the RGB sub-pixel layout. So the readability of texts is not an issue at all. Variable overdrive and G-Sync “almost always” go hand in hand here. I like the fact that AMD FreeSync can still be used via DisplayPort. That used to be different (with G-Sync). What really surprised me the most was the fact that the curved display didn’t bother me. The 2300Rs are briefly unfamiliar, but by now I’m playing all sorts of things on the MEG381CQR+.
MSI can write good workmanship on its banner. The integrated sRGB mode and the good factory calibration make the monitor a workhorse out of the box when it comes to color fidelity in the sRGB or even P3 color space. The unblocked sRGB mode makes hardware calibration – possible with a few clicks. Monitors always have to be like this. That goes for all other manufacturers, take a cue from them. I use the monitor almost daily for work. It basically makes my two 27″ monitors obsolete.
Conclusion
The color performance is already outstanding for a gaming monitor, I had to rub my eyes. I have measured this several times (even with a laptop via HDMI). This was surprising and very gratifying! The gaming performance, in terms of response times in relation to overshoot, is good. The MEG381CQR+ reveals slight weaknesses in the high FPS range between 120 and 175 Hz. There is a bit of overshoot here and Variable Overdrive doesn’t really come out of hiding until 120 Hz. Since there are no excessively annoying picture artifacts, there is no point deduction here.
I basically cannot give a purchase recommendation because one of the main features “G-Sync Ultimate” misleads the customer in doubt. The monitor is advertised as an HDR gaming weapon via G-Sync Ultimate. In reality, unfortunately, it looks quite different. Who do I end up blaming for this? First and foremost NVIDIA. From my point of view, NVIDIA has scored an own goal with this. The G-Sync Ultimate certification has now been softened to land on par with the Vesa HDR sticker. A real crash landing! Things like the lack of HDMI 2.1 ports are almost a minor matter.
Is the monitor worth its 2,200 Euros MSRP? Clearly no! If you can get a QD-OLED monitor – with real HDR gaming – for “only” 1,300 Euros, then MSI has miscalculated mercilessly with all its gimmicks. Currently, the street price is around 1,600 Euros, which is where you slowly arrive in reality. Unfortunately, the MEG381CQR+ is not worth more than 1,100 Euros. Separation: What kept me busy the last two nights? What am I supposed to do with so much light and shade at the end of the article? A very fast IPS gaming display with a color performance that is second to none.
On the other hand, there is G-Sync Ultimate on the one hand and the completely exorbitant price on the other. Besides the partly useless gimmicks, a top HDR performance would have been the possible price justification. Unfortunately, nothing came of it – for the reasons mentioned above. Perhaps it would have been better to install a FALD instead of the gimmicks. This would come close to justifying the current street price and would have been more useful especially for HDR gamers. I kind of feel sorry for the MSI employees who really put in the work to make this one of the best SDR gaming and work monitors.
For me, the monitor deserves a special award – which I would like to dedicate to the employees of MSI (who are producing the monitor). Very good SDR work was done here. I have to commend that! The award is worth more in my view (especially for the employees) – than the Vesa and G-Sync Ultimate stickers together cost in certification fees. Now you also know my sincere and subjective opinion. But now to you: This is the first article about monitors, so Igor and I are still a bit in the discovery phase. We want your opinion and especially constructive criticism to make it even better. Are you missing something? Do I need to explain certain things in more detail? Write to me or we can discuss in the forum. See you soon…
The monitor was provided to me by MSI without obligation – for testing purposes. There was no influence on the tests and results. There was also no compensation for expenses and no obligation to publish.
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