Sit in front The MSI Mag 341CQP gaming monitor is almost intimidating. This 34-inch, ultra-wide, curved display occupies my field of vision, but it’s not the size that’s the issue, it’s the clarity. The display uses a quantum dot OLED panel that’s so clear and vibrant that it’s hard not to get lost in the games I’m playing.
MSI’s curved gaming monitor is one of the few recent displays to bring QD-OLED panels to the desktop gaming space. Some of our top picks in The best TVs technology, but displays using it are only just starting to drop below four-figure prices. This relatively new type of display offers some benefits of quantum dots—like more accurate colors and less wasted light—to OLED panels, which light up only the pixels you need, delivering perfect blacks.
Starting at $900, this MSI monitor is surprisingly affordable for what you get (and it’s worth noting that at the time of writing this review, I’ve seen it on sale for under $800). In addition to all the benefits of QD-OLED, it has a 3440×1440 resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and some nifty features to prevent burn-in, all of which add up to a premium monitor.
Pixel perfection
I’ve loved OLED displays since I first saw them, but this MSI display still impressed me. It has the signature perfect blacks, of course, and in HDR mode it can reach a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which is convenient for me since my desk is right next to a window that gets a lot of afternoon sunlight. However, when night falls, the peak brightness can be almost blinding.
When I play games like Overwatch 2This contrast helps create a higher level of immersion. The explosion from D.va’s bombs felt intense, as the bright light from the explosion illuminated my face. The vivid red outlines of enemies stood out, making Widowmaker a little easier to spot from across the map.
MSI claims the display covers 99.3 percent of the DCI-P3 color space, though in my testing using my trusty PC Spyder X2 SuperIt’s closer to 95 percent, with a slight red bias. It’s even further away from AdobeRGB, with MSI rating the display at 97.8 percent of that color space, but my test results showed it was closer to 86 percent. If you’re planning on using this display for professional photography or videography, this might be a concern for you, but for most people it’s fine.
In terms of color accuracy, the panel is average. delta E level of 1.23. For reference, a delta E of less than 2.0 is barely noticeable to the human eye if you look closely, and anything less than 1.0 is barely perceptible to the human eye. Simply put, this MSI monitor reproduces colors extremely accurately, so you’re unlikely to notice any other tints or shades unless there’s a software glitch.
All-inclusive entertainment
When I play Overwatch 2I often play characters that can benefit from the improved field of view. Whether I’m Mercy looking over my shoulder for a flanker about to kill me, or Wrecking Ball trying to scout the enemy team before diving in, the more I can see, the better. I’m kicking myself for not playing on ultrawide sooner.
