UPDATE!! ALL MSI models now have a full 3 year burn in warranty! Also the MAG 321UPX model in this video DOES NOT allow you to update firmware so I've included a link to the MPG 321URX counterpart which is $50 more in the description. Looks like final prices will be the MAG model at $899, the MPG model at $949. Here is the Alienware AW3225QF Review ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0-AkA1lfDZE.html I don't talk about it much but I live with an incurable illness that's forced me to rely on my RU-vid channel as my only source of income to survive. That said PLEASE consider using my links in the description - it not only helps the channel but helps keep my life afloat. BIG THANK YOU to those that do. ( To learn more watch here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HpIY-kQYahc.html )
Looks amazing, great review! Does this support ultrawide mode like the samsung neo g7? I'd like to know what custom resolutions look like for those times when 4k is too demanding.
Also reading owners on Reddit saying there is no Gsync compatibility whatsoever so there may be more Gsync issues on this monitor compared to Alienware and Asus
@@JuanTorres-gn2ss Update, Tim from HUB/MU spoke to MSI reps and outside of the first bath of the MSI MAG 321UPX, this monitor will be able to receive firmware updates. So go ahead and purchase the monitor without fear if you considered it.
Ridiculous how cheap the hw is in the US when compared to the average salary. In EU average salary in cz or sk is on the other hand is very low compared to that in the US, but hw prices are almost everytime more than 300 and sometimes even 400 or 500 euro more.
@@InFlamesor12 In Canada this monitor is $785 USD with the promo and steam discount. I can buy 2 for the price of 1 in other regions lol. No eARC is lame tho as consoles are mandatory for PC gamers as 98% of PC games have 4 types of stutter (games like Jedi Survivor still have shader stutter even with shader pre comp as PCs and devs are that bad). Pretty annoying to constantly unplug my headphone cable when using a PS5
What are u even talking, they are the same prices all over EU and in US, US showed even more expensive when I looked for it, AND they are before taxes, everyone knows this
Just letting people know that the MAG variant of this display will NOT support ANY SOFTWARE UPDATES, the MPG variant will support software updates but its pretty concerning to see msi completely lock out software updates for some of the models of these 4k 240 QD Oleds, theres also only a $50 digference between the two variants.
I guess depending on the person you ask, but should I just go for the MAG variant if I don't care about firmware updates? I want to buy one but the MPG is nowhere to be sold ATM. The MAG just came out on sale should I just go for that one instead
@@tehgjunkithat is already fixed, if your have an old firmware, send the monitor to MSI and they will update it so it starts supporting updates, if it comes with the later versions, then you are fine, you monitor already supports updates
@alemiranda1105 Yeah I just ended up just getting a used AW3225QF for only $50 more so I figured why not go the more premium route. The used market is great near me.
Very nice video. Seems like this one is a better choice than the Alienware given the price difference. I’d love to have earc to go to my Sonos sound bar too
The 7900 xtx and xt models both have dp 2.1, 4k 240hz requires around 50gbps which is greater than 1.4a with 32gbps and hdmi 2.1 48gbps (hdmi lacks proper compression stopping the 240hz high contrast output) dp compression is 1:3 making 32 Gbps =96 Gbps with a few microsecond of delay. However, this also limits usage of anything other than video output. (Not sure if other data is compressed or requires its own channel) being frame capped or limiting utility when dp2.1 exist and competitors have a better system at this price, the choice is a no-brainer. Rtx 5000 series will almost certainly have dp2.1.
The deal with Displayport 2.1 over 1.4 is that it has a much higher bandwidth that supports the full 4k 240hz without compression. 1.4 can only do it with compression, plus this DSC causes that lag/black screen glitch when alt+tabbing with an Nvidia card. -Current gen graphics cards don't support 2.1 but it should be on the next.- Nvidia has been aware of that glitch for a while now and still hasn't fixed it, alt+tabbing on my Neo G7 sucks. The MEG from MSI is said to have 2.1, but it also has the AI garbage that I don't want or want to pay for, plus that Al cheat crap may result in hardware detection bans from games.
Rx 7900 xtx and 7900 xt both have dp 2.1 already, seeing at the 7900xtx is only beaten by the 4090 which has dp 1.4... except raytracing where your not getting 240hz anyway,
Great review! I am 3 days into the Alienware 32 qd OLED. Picture is great but having issues syncing up EARC, so I think the MSI might be the right choice. All monitors should have more than one option for audio especially when paying good money for them.
Can you talk about the packaging? Alienware has new posts every day on Reddit of people complaining about scratches on the new monitors. Does your MSI have scratches on it?
@@dinospumoni8255 They might not. I received my MSI 342C with that plastic cover over the panel. My Screen is fine, but I would suspect they'll keep using that plastic "sheet" thing taped to the edges until they get too many returns over it. Just as we prefer glossy, they are all still using matte. So, they don't read us at all, if they are going to do whatever they want, anyway. And that goes for all the brands, especially Samsung.
MSI put plastic wrap on the display so no marks. I was able to remove most of them from my AW but it is annoying. I’m keeping it however since I was able to get a discount after calling dell support about it.
@@j.echevarria8630 yeah, I saw that MSI does indeed put a peel. You got lucky, Alienware didn't offer me any discount, they just told me to return it for a refund
890 USD here in Bulgaria for the 27 inch MPG model, the 32 inch MPG comes for 1375 USD. Only one retailer sells them atm on a pre order so i think in like two months time they will drop close to US msrp. But for now its a good value when you consider old gen 240 1440p models are around that price.@@m.h.7901
@@Justinkredible_007 because monitors often ship with broken firmware? broken hdr? look what happened with alienware and the dolby vision bug and the ucdm having broken hdr
2.1 seems like it might be something that those planning to buy a 50 series card should think about, because Nvidia currently has some bugs with DSC. 50 series cards are likely less than a year away and people buying a 4k 240 htz monitor are the kind of people who would buy a 5090. Beyond that, I don't know much. DSC is allegedly lossless.
Thanks for the info. I use a 4080 and am good with 1.4 though admittedly I don't game like I used to but I can certainly see why people would want to future proof
Because of this reason I will wait a year by then 5090 should be out and msi should be rolling in there new updates monitors which hopefully has dp 2.1
Not sure how long you tested this and the Alienware version; could you comment on the burn in protection protocols affect daily work? As I understand MSI has something that fires off every four hours on screen, though it can be delayed a few times.
MSI had a LOT more burn in protection which can be done every 4 hours or as often as you like. Either way you're going to have to do pixel refreshes every so often with either panel which can get annoying, I found myself doing it every time I left my room for a break so it was always ready when I came back.
I noticed this comes w/USB-C 15W port and the MSI URX variant is 90W and great when wanting to attach my RTX 4080 laptop w/Thunderbolt 4 connection. What do I give up with this 15W port?
How does this compare to the 2 year old MSI MPG321UR-QD you reviewed before? I currently have mpg321UR-QD and wonder if it worth the upgrade to this QD-OLED version.
I am considering the MSI but have concerns around raised black levels. Have you had any issues with this? I don't play in the dark and just have the ceiling light on.
My current 4K HDMI 2.1 monitor has hdr peak brightness close to 1000nits at 100% window…. Just Considering the pros & cons before investing into this Monitor
Never get a QD OLED for lit rooms as they loose all blacks and it comes out more purple/grey. Also useless to use the HDR400 TB mode if the thing has HDR 1000 mode as you will just loose details in highlights while gaining literally no benefit at all. It will still push the same fullscreen brightness in either mode just like all other QD OLEDs do, and you are obviously going to get true black as its QD OLED... So no literally no point in HDR400 TB, it dont look at all from when I used it. And lastly it purely depends on what you want from your monitor, mini LED can offer higher brightness in larger windows but massively looses in highlights and shadow details so that to me makes it loose instantly to OLEDs in HDR as games have a ton of tiny specular highlights like stars, particle effects, lights etc. If you just want super bright monitor then mini LED is still the way to go though.
You probably shouldn't recommend this, as without a USB hub how will the monitor receive software updates? If something is screwy with the HDR tonemapping, or there's a DSC related issue what would the user do? This is just MSI pointlessly cheaping out, a product at this price should include such things pro-bono, especially it being an HDR capable screen, this is why I really don't want to deal with either MSI or Asus, but I wish the dell one wasn't curved.
I embraced the curve. It completely changed my mind. Games are more immersive and it works better with your peripheral vision. Also Dell already release firmware to resolve the most common issues. Also there is usually a cable included for firmware updates. The aw3225qf comes with one so you don’t have to use a usb on the monitor end. If not I would go with the mpg 321urx. Still much cheaper than the aw and has usb ports.
I prefer Alienware mainly because of the active cooling system also the eARC but I hoped there was a flat panel Alienware I think still on top as the best.
You didn’t show any of the color/brightness/contrast controls available during HDR, on an HDR monitor. Also didn’t cover whether the monitor OSD allows you to disable DSC or not. Since having DSC on disabled Integer Scaling as well as DSR and DLDSR.
Man I am on the FENCE. Have an immaculate AW3225QF but am still within my return window. Was considering swapping out for a C3 42 but knowing I can keep the qd oled panel at this size, non curved and save the $300? This is tough!
@@KaiStephens same here, it truly is the best screen I've laid eyes on. Only thing is I wish SDR brightness was a tad higher for my bright office. Definitely feel the retinas getting blasted at night tho
Any marks on your screen from the packaging? It’s barely noticeable but I am see marks when I shine a flashlight on the monitor while it’s off. It’s a bother for the price.
@@j.echevarria8630 only on the top left corner but it's on the bezzle. Otherwise my unit is immaculate; definitely consider myself lucky seeing some posts on Reddit
Noob question but.... If i bought this would i be able to run it at a refresh of 240hz at 4k. With nvida 4090. I'm abit worried about the 1.4a displayport ?
It has DSC which is suppose to compress then by data i guess and its suppose to support 240 fps even though it is a display port 1.4 as long as your gpu can push 240 fps
I wish the MPG model with its 3 year burn in warranty had a black chin. Much prefer how this MAG model looks, but only 2 years of burn in warranty is silly when it's the same panel.
Both monitors are honestly fantastic. Me personally, I'd choose the Alienware because the HDMI eArc port is something I'd take advantage of. If you don't care about that saving a few hundred and going with MSI makes sense too.
@@JacobDarkOfficial sweet thanks for the reply brother. Yeah I got the Alienware supposedly coming tomorrow hopefully nothing goes wrong. I already have a sound card with studio speakers so eARC doesn’t have any use at the moment but at least I have options for audio which is cool.
Yea it was amazing I just wish they had magpads that had a wood look, I mightve stuck with it. If you decide to buy I'd super appreciate you using my link!
The alienware model has dolby vision, never tried that before but i would like to get an oled monitor as feature packed as possible for the price. Do you think dolby vision is worth the extra cost?
For gaming? Not even remotely. Dolby Vision gaming is a niche of a niche and that's unlikely to change any time soon. If you plan on watching a ton of movies and shows on your monitor however, then I'd consider it worth it, as there is a noticeable difference between Dolby Vision and standard HDR in movies and TV shows, and most modern shows and movies are mastered in Dolby Vision. But again for gaming, no.
Dolby Vision is nothing but a gimmick when HDR10+ can do the same. I had 3 LG OLED TVs and changed to Samsung without DV and HDR looks much much better. Everything DV just plays at HDR10+ instead. The only difference is that Dolby Vision is not free. HDR10 is the standard and this won't change. HDR10+ and DV is just dynamic metadata HDR and can improve HDR but not always, meaning HDR10 is the most important. Dolby Vision makes zero sense for gaming its for video playback.
@@Dr.WhetFartsDolby vision in general isn't a gimmick, although debatably so on a gaming monitor. The only issue with HDR 10+ is the lack of content, there is very little HDR 10+ content out there compared to Dolby Vision which most streaming services and Blu-rays are using. The reverting back you're talking about on most content is probably Dolby Vision reverting to regular HDR not HDR+ which doesn't have dynamic metadata, it's very unfortunate that the open standard hasn't caught on but that's where we are.
Picture quality as far as my eyes can tell are on the same level. Since this was a preproduction unit colors may be off from the final version but it's really hard to tell the difference unless you had them side by side. I'd say in general picture quality and brightness shouldn't be an issue in these new QD-OLED variants
Will there be any fifference between the 321urx and this 321upx besides usb and rgb ? If picture quality and all that is the same id probably just get the cheaper one
@@JacobDarkOfficial i'm curius because WOLED with custom heatsink like ASUS can get 900nits, while the other brand that use samepanel but without custom heatsink can only hits 400nits 10% windows. but it may not be the case with QD-OLED
@@voodoojester8069 WOLED is supposed to be brighter than OLED alone, QD-OLED is kind of as bright as WOLED, but WOLED has all that blooming because of those zones. But, HDR Does not implement on them as well as QD-OLEDs, because, I think, the OLED tempers it a little. But, the heat is caused by the brightness levels required for HDR. So, every HDR, as far as I know have fans or heatsinks, most likely the Mini-IPS panels always will, from now on, have Fans. I kind of think that also, you have way more burn in and wear, faster. When you max out the displays. Meaning, I try not using Premium Color with HDR1000 settings at same time. Because the Premium color is too saturated (perfect burn in food) and I can even feel the heat from the panel at HDR1000. I'm fine at User Picture setting then use Radeon to up the Saturation to 110% and leave monitor on TB400. Perfect Picture, perfect.. I will always choose QD-OLEDs from here on. As long as, it doesn't take a loud-ass fan to keep it cool under lower settings.
It's subject to change but the MAG model will be $850-900 and the MPG model will be $900-950, I've seen different numbers online too but those are the numbers MSI gave me
Well it has something to do with these monitors finishing their final prototype design well before dp 2.1 full specifications were finalised. Thats what I learnt from google. Hp omen 32 transcend and some aurous monitor are only dp 2.1 options I saw in CES with no info on launch date or quarter.
UPTab DisplayPort 1.4 cable supports a refresh rate of up to 240Hz at 4K, gives you a smoother & faster gaming experience, no ghosting, more smooth, reduces system delay, and is ideal for fast pace FPS games. Edit: You can also choose this cable. iVANKY 16K DP to DP 2.1 cable is officially certified by VESA for exceptional quality. The DP 2.1 Cable supports high resolutions like 16K(15360*8640)@60Hz, 10K@60Hz, backward compatible with 8K@120Hz, 4K@240Hz, and 2K@360Hz and more. This is the only Display Port cable you'll need for the next decade. It's also backward compatible with DisplayPort 2.0, 1.4, 1.3, and 1.2. (Important: Exclusively for DP to DP connections, Not HDMI or Mini DP)
@@backseatdriver9576 but the cable isn't everything. The devices on both ends have to support the newer transmission standard. In fact the cable is the least important part of the puzzle because even lower quality cables at short enough distances can transmit much stronger signals than their ratings require.
The only one thing that stopps me from buying this monitor is how ugly the stand is and cheap plastic behind the monitor as well as the stand. For so high price they could at least give aluminium elegant stand not the plastic one.. + the white led below the screen straight in the middle that disturbs... it should be hidden or placed on right side.........
