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Conclusion

MSI has stepped up to the plate with the Optix MAG24C. For less than $250, you get 144Hz and FreeSync, which should be enough for most users to stop contemplating and pull out their wallets. But wait, there’s more. A high-quality, high-contrast VA panel is the icing on the cake, with a cherry on top. We were extremely impressed with the image quality delivered. 3000:1 contrast is not just a small improvement over IPS or TN. It’s a major upgrade.

The only missing items are minor. There are no speakers or USB ports. Design is gamer-oriented, but there are no fancy lighting effects or molded textures in the chassis. You get a nice pair of red LED strips around back that glow softly, but that’s about it for the MAG24C’s aesthetics. We don’t mean to imply that it’s plain, but some users may want hardware that makes a bolder visual statement.

You also won’t get a ton of extra gaming features. The overdrive works but disables the brightness control, so we consider it unavailable. But that’s not a problem with the MAG24C’s frame rates. When operating over 100Hz, blur simply wasn’t an issue. Ultimately, you may not be left wanting in this regard.

The only thing we wish MSI would add is an sRGB mode. Though it handles color smartly for an extended-gamut monitor. The best fidelity in nearly all content comes from accurate sRGB color reproduction. The MAG24C is a DCI panel that hits most, but not all, sRGB gamut target. This may be a problem for those who demand ultimate accuracy. But the silver lining is that if MSI were to add HDR in the future, the panel is already capable enough in both the color and contrast departments.

The final message here is check out the MAG24C’s amazing contrast. While some may wish for higher resolution, this 24-inch FHD screen offers plenty of detail while delivering high frame rates with cheap video cards and more depth than any IPS or TN screen can muster. That is the crowning feature here and the reason why we’re so impressed with what MSI is offering for less than $250. The Optix MAG24C is highly recommended.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.