MSI Launches Two New MAG WQHD Monitors at $289 and $309
MSI's new MAG 274QPF X32 and MAG 325CQPF E18 bring 320 Hz and 180 Hz refresh rates to the WQHD market, with each targeting a distinct kind of PC gamer.
Two Monitors, Two Very Different Priorities
MSI expanded its MAG monitor family on July 17 with a pair of WQHD displays that, while sharing a resolution and a price bracket, are aimed at pretty different buyers. As reported by TechPowerUp, the MAG 274QPF X32 and the MAG 325CQPF E18 land at $309 and $289 respectively, with availability expected sometime this summer.
The headline number on the MAG 274QPF X32 is 320 Hz. That is an unusually high refresh rate for a 2560x1440 monitor, and it sits on a 27-inch Rapid IPS panel with an anti-glare coating. Response time is 0.5 ms GtG. Brightness lands at 300 cd/m² for SDR content and peaks at 400 cd/m², earning a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Color coverage is strong: 95% Adobe RGB and 97% DCI-P3. The monitor carries both G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium support, which gives it flexibility regardless of what GPU is sitting in your rig.
Connectivity on the 274QPF X32 includes one DisplayPort 1.4a and two HDMI 2.1 ports. The stand handles tilt, swivel, height adjustment up to 130 mm, and a full 90-degree pivot for portrait orientation.
The Curved VA Takes a Different Angle
The MAG 325CQPF E18 takes the other road. It is a 31.5-inch curved panel with a 1000R curvature radius and a Rapid VA panel rather than IPS. The refresh rate steps down to 180 Hz, though the 0.5 ms GtG response time matches the faster sibling. The real selling point here is contrast: VA panels deliver depth that IPS simply cannot match at this price, and the 325CQPF E18 backs that up with a 3500:1 native contrast ratio.
The tradeoff is color coverage, which comes in more modestly at 85% Adobe RGB and DCI-P3. Connectivity is one DisplayPort 1.4a and two HDMI 2.0b ports, though TechPowerUp notes those HDMI ports are capped at 144 Hz. The 325CQPF E18 supports AMD FreeSync, and MSI includes picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes alongside the company’s AI Vision and Night Vision features.
One thing both monitors share, somewhat conspicuously: no USB ports. For a desk setup that relies on a monitor hub for peripherals, that absence will matter.
Who Each Monitor Is Really For
The 274QPF X32 is straightforwardly competitive. A 320 Hz refresh rate at 1440p is a serious spec for players where frame rate translates directly to performance, think fast-paced shooters or fighting games. The IPS panel, strong color accuracy, and G-SYNC Compatible support all reinforce that positioning.
The 325CQPF E18 is a more atmospheric choice. The 1000R curve and 31.5-inch size suit longer sessions in RPGs or strategy titles, and the VA panel’s contrast advantage becomes very visible in dark scenes. At $289, it undercuts the faster model by $20 while offering more screen real estate and deeper blacks. The HDMI 2.0b limitation is worth knowing upfront if you plan to run it from a console at full refresh rate.
Both monitors are scheduled to hit retailers worldwide this summer, according to TechPowerUp’s coverage sourced from MSI and Guru 3D.
What is the price of the MSI MAG 274QPF X32?
According to TechPowerUp, the MSI MAG 274QPF X32 is priced at $309 and should be available in stores worldwide during summer 2026.
Does the MSI MAG 325CQPF E18 support G-SYNC?
No. As reported by TechPowerUp, the MAG 325CQPF E18 supports AMD FreeSync but not G-SYNC Compatible certification. That feature is reserved for the MAG 274QPF X32.
Do either of the new MSI MAG monitors include USB ports?
No. TechPowerUp specifically notes that neither of the two new MSI monitors includes USB ports.
What is the native contrast ratio of the MSI MAG 325CQPF E18?
The MAG 325CQPF E18 uses a Rapid VA panel with a 3500:1 native contrast ratio, according to TechPowerUp.