MSI G2712 Review: IPS 1920×1080 1ms 170Hz; Blend of Performance and Value

MSI G2712 is a highly anticipated gaming monitor that has caught the attention of both casual gamers and esports enthusiasts.

With a sleek design and impressive technical specifications, it promises to deliver an exceptional gaming experience.

Design and Build

This display follows a familiar design aesthetic for MSI gaming monitors. It boasts a sleek and modern design with thin bezels that will fit seamlessly into any gaming setup.
The monitor is primarily constructed from high-quality plastic, giving it a sturdy feel without being overly heavy.

The matte black finish adds a touch of elegance and helps reduce glare from ambient lighting.
At the back, the monitor sports a subtle geometric pattern and the MSI logo, giving it a distinctive look.

The build quality is solid, with no noticeable flex or creaking when adjusting the monitor.
The stand, while basic, is stable and does a good job of keeping the monitor in place.

However, it offers limited adjustability, allowing only tilt adjustments.
Overall, the build quality feels solid, and the monitor feels like it can withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Display Quality

The MSI G2712 features a 27-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 1920×1080, offering Full HD clarity.
This monitor supports a refresh rate of 170Hz, providing smooth and fluid motion, which is particularly beneficial for fast-paced games.

With a peak brightness of 250 nits, the G2712 performs well in most lighting conditions, though it might struggle in very bright environments.

The monitor covers 81.1% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring rich and lifelike colors, making it suitable not just for gaming, but for color-sensitive work as well.

However, the monitor’s performance in dark rooms may be somewhat mediocre due to its lower (1100:1) contrast ratio.

Monitor has excellent viewing angles, thanks to the IPS panel, ensuring minimal color shift even when viewed from extreme angles.

However, the relatively low pixel density might be a downside for those seeking ultra-sharp images.

Display supports AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate.
This feature is particularly useful for maintaining smooth gameplay during fast action scenes.

Performance

The Monitor excels in performance, making it a strong contender in the gaming monitor market.

Its high refresh rate ensures that fast-paced action scenes are rendered smoothly, providing a competitive edge in gaming.

The 1ms MPRT response time minimizes motion blur and ghosting, making for a crisp and clear display even during rapid movements.

In gaming, this display performs with no noticeable input lag or screen tearing.
This makes it an ideal choice for both casual and competitive gamers who demand high responsiveness and fluid visuals.

The monitor also handles general computing tasks like browsing and media consumption with ease, delivering consistent and high-quality visuals.

Its color accuracy and sharpness make it suitable for tasks like photo editing and video watching, though it truly shines in gaming scenarios.

The G2712 maintains consistent performance across different genres of games, from fast-paced shooters to graphically intensive RPGs.
Its high refresh rate and quick response time ensure an immersive gaming experience.

Features

This display comes packed with features aimed at enhancing the gaming experience.

Like we mentioned, one of the standout features is its AMD FreeSync Premium support, which ensures smooth and tear-free gaming by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate.
This feature is particularly beneficial during fast-paced gaming sessions where maintaining a consistent frame rate is crucial.

The monitor also includes a Gaming OSD (On-Screen Display) app, which allows users to easily adjust settings such as brightness, contrast, and color temperature.
This app provides a user-friendly interface for fine-tuning the display to match different gaming scenarios.

Additionally, the G2712 has several preset modes designed for various game genres, including FPS, RTS, and RPG.
These modes optimize the display settings for each genre, enhancing the visual experience and providing a competitive edge.

Another notable feature is the anti-flicker technology, which reduces screen flicker to minimize eye strain during extended gaming sessions.
The monitor also includes a low blue light mode to further protect the eyes from harmful blue light emissions.

The monitor supports a wide color gamut, making colors and details look more realistic and refined.

It also features Night Vision, the world’s first smart black tuner, which brightens the dark areas of the screen, without overexposing the entire screen, revealing fine details in shadows.

The frameless design of the G2712 enhances immersion, making it ideal for multi-monitor setups. The super narrow bezels provide better continuity between screens, enhancing the gaming experience.

Wide 178° viewing angles provide more flexibility in monitor placement without sacrificing the optimal viewing experience.

Connectivity

The MSI G2712 offers a range of connectivity options to accommodate various devices. It includes two HDMI 1.4 ports and one DisplayPort 1.2a. These inputs ensure compatibility with both modern and older gaming consoles, as well as PCs.

However, the monitor does not feature USB ports or additional connectivity options like USB-C, which may limit some users. The inclusion of an 3.5mm audio-out jack allows for easy connection to external speakers or headphones, enhancing the overall audio experience.

Ergonomics

This product is designed with user comfort in mind, although its ergonomic features are somewhat of a mixed bag.

The stand allows for tilt adjustment of of -5° to 20°, enabling users to find a comfortable viewing angle.

However, it lacks height, swivel, and pivot adjustments, which might be a limitation for those seeking more flexibility in positioning.

If you have a deep desk or prefer a higher viewing angle, you might be glad to know that the monitor’s VESA mount compatibility allows users to attach it to a custom stand or mount, thereby gaining more ergonomic adjustment options and saving desk space.

Comparisons

When comparing the MSI G2712 to other monitors in the same category, it stands out primarily due to its 170Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, which are advantageous for competitive gaming.

MSI G2712 vs. ASUS VG279Q

The ASUS VG279Q is another popular 27-inch gaming monitor with similar specifications. Both monitors feature IPS panels for vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. However, the VG279Q has a lower refresh rate at 144Hz compared to the G2712’s 170Hz. The VG279Q also offers more ergonomic adjustments, including height and swivel options, which the G2712 lacks.

MSI G2712 vs. AOC 27G2

The AOC 27G2 is another contender with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 1ms response time. It provides similar color accuracy and IPS panel benefits. The AOC 27G2 is more affordable and includes better ergonomic features such as height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments. However, the G2712’s higher refresh rate may appeal more to serious gamers.

MSI G2712 vs. Dell S2721HGF

The Dell S2721HGF is a 27-inch monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time but uses a VA panel. While VA panels offer better contrast ratios, they typically have slower response times compared to IPS panels. The G2712’s IPS panel ensures better color accuracy and viewing angles, which might be preferable for users who value visual quality over contrast.

MSI G2712 Specifications

Specification	Details
Panel Size	27″ (69cm)
Panel Type	IPS
Panel Resolution	1920 x 1080 (FHD)
Aspect Ratio	16:9
Brightness (nits)	250
Contrast Ratio	1100:1
Refresh Rate	170Hz
Response time	1ms (MPRT)
DYNAMIC REFRESH RATE TECHNOLOGY	Adaptive Sync
Video ports	2x HDMI™ (Supports FHD@144Hz as specified in HDMI™ 1.4b), 1x DP (Supports FHD@170Hz as specified in DisplayPort 1.2a with overclocking)
Audio ports	1x Earphone out
Viewing Angle	178° (H) / 178° (V)
Adobe RGB / DCI-P3 / sRGB	85.67% / 81.1% / 101.91%
Adjustment (Tilt)	-5° ~ 20°
Control	5-way OSD navigation joystick
VESA Mounting	100 x 100 mm
Weight (NW / GW)	4.1kg / 5.8kg without Stand: 3.3kg

Conclusion

MSI G2712 is a compelling option for budget-minded gamers seeking a smooth and responsive gaming experience

It’s a robust gaming monitor that offers a high refresh rate and a fast response time, making it an excellent choice for competitive gamers. Its IPS panel ensures vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, while AMD FreeSync Premium enhances the gaming experience by reducing screen tearing and stuttering.

Despite its basic ergonomic features and limited connectivity options, the G2712 provides solid performance and good value for money, particularly for gamers seeking smooth and responsive gameplay.

However, potential buyers should be aware of a few limitations. The Full HD resolution on 27 inch monitor might not be ideal for everyone, especially those who prioritize sharp details. The lack of built-in speakers and limited ergonomic adjustments might also be drawbacks for some users.

Overall, the MSI G2712 2 offers a good balance between performance, features, and price, making it a worthwhile consideration for both casual and competitive gamers.

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