Ben Madilynn
MSI has been the brand pushing the hardest to get OLED gaming monitors down in price. Sure, it’s got a top-end MPG 321URX which is over $1,200, and a MAG 321UPX which is around $900, but it’s also released an $800 version with the exact same panel, just with a few bells turned off and whistles turned down.
And the even better news is that for the October Prime Day, inexplicably called Big Deal Days, you’re getting arguably the best gaming monitor deal around. The MSI MAG 321UP is just $760 at Amazon today. One of the few issues with MSI’s more affordable OLEDs is they go in and out of stock like energy drinks marketed at pre-teens. But thankfully you don’t have to rely on Amazon’s warehouses, because Newegg also has the screen for $760, too.
So, if you don’t wish to feather Jeff’s pockets any further then you have an alternative.
So, what are you missing out on with this cheaper model? The main difference between this and the other MSI 32-inch 4K OLEDs is that you’re getting a 165 Hz refresh rate instead of 240 Hz. Honestly, at 4K, I don’t think that’s a huge compromise to make when you’re still getting the exact same excellent QD-OLED panel.
I’d also suggest that making the most out of a 240 Hz refresh in-game is going to require some serious graphical hardware, too. If you can match the 165 Hz with your 4K frame rates you’re doing well anyway.
Otherwise, it’s just a difference in USB Type-C power delivery that marks out the different screens. The top-end has 90 W USB-C PD, the middle order one has 15 W USB-C PD, and this one just plain doesn’t.
But do you really care if you’re plumbing your gaming desktop into it anyway?
