MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 assessment
As soon as you have gone OLED, you will not ever wish to return. Would not it’s good to have the ability to say that in regards to the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36? To find that it ditches the same old shortcomings of Samsung’s QD-OLED tech whereas capitalising on all that attribute OLED goodness, together with excellent per-pixel lighting and unimaginable velocity?
Effectively, there’s good purpose to assume that it would simply be a goer. As a result of this new MSI monitor rocks Samsung’s very newest QD-OLED panel know-how. MSI is referring to it as “Fifth-Gen” Samsung QD-OLED, which is information to me. I assumed the very newest panel tech from Samsung is Gen 4. Likewise, MSI refers to not solely “Fifth Gen” however “Fifth Gen Tandem OLED” when describing this panel know-how, which leaves me a bit baffled.
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Display dimension |
34-inch |
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Decision |
3,440 x 1,440 |
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Brightness |
300 nits full-screen, 1,300 nits HDR 3% APL |
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Response time |
0.03 ms |
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Refresh charge |
360 Hz |
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HDR |
DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 |
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Options |
QD-OLED panel, adaptive sync, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1a, USB-C with 98 W PD, USB-A hub |
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Value |
$1,099 | £1,000 (est) |
Purchase if…
✅ You need the final word OLED expertise: This new-gen QD-OLED panel tech is nearly excellent due to beautiful HDR efficiency and revised RGB subpixels.
Do not buy if…
❌ You need the right nice all-rounder: This panel’s one apparent shortcoming is pixel density. That is wonderful for gaming, les so for different duties.
Samsung hasn’t fairly delivered a completely customary RGB answer, the place all three subpixels are precisely the identical dimension and form, as per just about all LCD displays—the blue subpixel is noticeably smaller, for example. However the subpixels are organized in a vertical RGB stripe sample and that ought to assist with any picture rendering that depends on subpixel construction, corresponding to font smoothing and textual content readability.
That is particularly useful given this show gives a 3,440 by 1,440 native decision on a big 34-inch panel. The ensuing pixel density of 110 DPI is sort of a bit decrease than, say, both 27-inch or 32-inch 4K screens. On earlier QD-OLED panels of the identical dimension and determination, textual content has regarded fairly tough due to color fringing. In concept, that ought to be solved.
The headline specs embody a lift in full-screen brightness to 300 nits. That is a welcome-rather-than-spectacular enchancment on the 250 nits of most earlier QD-OLEDs and rather a lot decrease than the 400-plus nits that brightest QD-OLED TV units can obtain. Personally I might wish to see a determine north of 400 nits earlier than I deem full-screen brightness a completely sorted limitation in any such show.
That stated, this panel additionally steps up from VESA DisplayHDR 400 to DisplayHDR 500 certification. Peak HDR brightness is likewise as much as, from 1,000 nits to 1,300 nits.
If mild emission is simply up, on paper, mild absorption can be stated to be a lot elevated, which is an effective factor. QD-OLED’s attribute downside with ambient mild, the place the panel takes on one thing of a purple-grey tinge in actually vivid situations, has had the impact of lowering perceived distinction. It is a bit of a bummer given excellent per-pixel mild management is the primary attraction with OLED tech.
For this new technology of Samsung QD-OLED panel, that subject is far improved, although it is not completely solved. For those who place this MSI subsequent to a monitor with LG’s competing WOLED tech and shine a very vivid LED on each panels (as I’ve accomplished), it is clear sufficient that this new Samsung QD-OLED know-how nonetheless kicks again extra mild than an LG WOLED.
However the enchancment is enough that I might argue it ought to not be a think about selecting between Samsung QD-OLED and LG WOLED panel sorts. Until you play or work in extremely vivid ambient mild situations, the perceived distinction of this monitor is unbelievable. Oh, and in case you were not completely positive, sure the panel coating is shiny, not matte.
One other improve, this time from MSI somewhat than Samsung, entails enhancements to the EOTF controls. EOTF or Electro-Optical Switch Perform is basically the map that determines how electrical alerts are translated into precise mild output on a show and it is notably essential for getting HDR calibration proper.
Until you play or work in extremely vivid ambient mild situations, the perceived distinction of this monitor is unbelievable.
The final MSI panel we checked out, the MSI MPG 271QR X50, had an EOTF “Increase Mode”. That is designed to mix the perfect attributes of the licensed DisplayHDR 500 mode, which supplies the best full-screen brightness, and the panel-native EOTF mode, which permits the brightest peaks for small particulars on the display screen. This mannequin additionally gives customisable variations of each the DisplayHDR 500 mode and the HDR 1,300 mode. So you possibly can tweak them to fit your preferences, in concept, not less than.
Wrapping up the principle panel specs, you get the same old 0.03 ms pixel response—not less than an order of magnitude sooner than any LCD monitor—and 360 Hz refresh, which must be quick sufficient for all however essentially the most demanding esports followers. As for connectivity, together with DisplayPort and HDMI, there’s additionally a USB-C interface for single-cable connectivity to a laptop computer and 98 W of energy supply. Add in a two-port USB-A hub and this monitor has you fairly nicely lined.
The identical goes for the stand and chassis. It is nicely engineered, albeit fairly nameless to have a look at, and gives a full vary of top, tilt and rotate adjustment. There’s additionally pivot, however solely about 20 levels in every course to assist stage out the show, versus the total 90 levels you’d have to swing the panel proper spherical into portrait mode, the latter being a distinct segment concern for an ultrawide 34-inch panel like this.
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Simply to totally sq. away the technical housekeeping, it is price noting that MSI gives one other MPG 341CQR monitor mannequin, minus the “QD-OLED X36” bit on the top. It is an older mannequin with a VA panel and it is reasonably thoughts boggling that MSI would use largely the identical title for this new and radically totally different OLED. However that is the way it goes within the PC monitor market. There’s just about a contest among the many large manufacturers to provide you with actually the worst and most complicated product names potential.
If that is the entire technical particulars lined off, how does this monitor truly look? The rapid impression shouldn’t be dramatically totally different to earlier QD-OLEDs. However on nearer inspection, there are quite a few enhancements.
The overall punchiness in SDR mode on the Home windows desktop is fairly good however would not really feel like an enormous improve. In all honesty, I would favor there was only a contact extra full-screen punch. Then it might be potential to place to mattress, as soon as and for all, that individual OLED shortcoming.
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Common brightness of 300 nits is respectable, do not get me fallacious. And Samsung’s QD-OLED punches above its specs in the case of perceived brightness. That is as a result of LG’s WOLED tech makes use of a further white subpixel to spice up peak white brightness. For color brightness, QD-OLED is mostly superior, even when its peak nit score says in any other case.
This monitor is brighter than many—possibly even most—players will want.
Finally, this monitor is brighter than many—possibly even most—players will want in regular viewing situations. It is simply that at this pretty lofty worth level, it might be good to have the ability to bury any issues completely for good.
Anywho, together with a bit extra punch, and possibly associated to the improved mild absorption, is barely extra correct color stability. QD-OLEDs are usually overly heat by way of color temperature and that flaw is unquestionably improved with this new-gen panel.
As for the textual content rendering, fonts undoubtedly look a bit of crisper due to these RGB subpixels. However you need to be real looking a few show like this with modest 110 DPI pixel density. It is by no means going to be tremendous sharp.
This factor is painfully fast and gives spectacular movement readability.
What’s fairly tremendous, then again, is the velocity. If you have not skilled a 0.03 ms OLED operating at excessive refresh—on this case 360 Hz—nicely, let’s simply say you are lacking out. This factor is painfully fast and gives spectacular movement readability. Together with the per-pixel lighting and mega distinction, it is the velocity actually stands out. As soon as you have skilled the response and readability of an OLED like that, just about any LCD seems a bit of washed out and smeary by comparability.
In fact, the 34-inch ultrawide type issue of this MSI panel is not truly preferrred for esports, regardless of all that velocity. You may nonetheless desire a 16:9 side monitor if on-line shooters are your predominant gaming distraction. However you might have the choice with not less than some shooters of taking part in at 2,560 by 1,440 with black bars on both facet. And because of the OLED tech, these black bars actually are simply that—completely black—and thus much less distracting than they in any other case can be.
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The ultimate and in some methods most spectacular piece of the puzzle, then, is HDR. The on-paper highlights embody loftier peaks, now hitting 1,300 nits and matching the perfect displays with LG WOLED panels, DisplayHDR 500 certification and the aforementioned enhanced EOTF modes. If something, the subjective expertise is even higher.
The default DisplayHDR 500 mode is very nice. It renders SDR content material just about completely and permits for a punchier expertise with SDR content material, such because the Home windows desktop, each day, albeit with a tiny little bit of seen dimming in case you are lighting up massive sections of the panel. It really works particularly nicely should you run all of your apps in darkish mode.
Personally, I just do that and it seems unbelievable on this monitor. You get a subjective expertise that appears nearer to a 500 nit SDR monitor, simply with epic lighting management and distinction.
In video games, although, that is the place this monitor actually reveals its HDR chops. That is the primary OLED monitor I’ve ever seen that appears nearly as spectacular in Cyberpunk 2077’s sunny desert scenes because it does rendering a moody underground nightclub punctuated with scorching neon lights.
On this context, EOTF Increase mode works very well. You get very spectacular full-screen punch for out of doors sport scenes whereas sustaining these eye-popping HDR peaks for small particulars in darker gaming environments. All informed, this monitor delivers the perfect HDR I’ve but seen on a PC monitor. It truly is that good.
Actually, my predominant reservations concern the fundamental format and determination. For all-round use, 3,440 by 1,440 pixels on a 34-inch ultrawide would not make for very sharp pixel density, particularly should you’re used to a 27-inch or 32-inch 4K monitor. So, spending this a lot cash is an enormous ask.
In fact, purely for gaming, this dimension and determination strikes an amazing stability between element, immersion and body charges. It is a good bit much less demanding than 4K, and the ultrawide side is extremely immersive. So, if 34-inch ultrawide and 1440p is your desire, that is undoubtedly the perfect instance of this class of gaming show but. It truly is unbelievable.
As a remaining apart and an anecdotal measure of simply how spectacular this monitor is, nicely, it has been on my desk for a number of weeks as my every day driver and I am reluctant to place it again within the field. I see a whole lot of displays and that is an awfully uncommon prevalence. Screens normally get booted straight after the assessment. However not this one. While you additionally contemplate that I very a lot choose panels with fairly excessive pixel density, there might be no doubting that the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 is one thing fairly particular.
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