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Conclusion

Curved monitors have been around long enough to establish themselves as a legitimate and desirable gaming tool. Even a slight curve can increase the sense of immersion in the on-screen world, and along with 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios, they make a compelling alternative to VR headsets. It follows, then, that if you curve the screen more, it draws the player more into the environment. 1000R is the tightest radius currently available, and though it represents a small portion of the genre, it looks like it might catch on.

We were highly impressed with the 1000R Samsung G7 Odyssey, and MSI’s MPG Artymis 343CQR curve managed to deliver the same immersive experience for us. That it is a 21:9 ultrawide screen just adds to its merit.

MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR — (Image credit: MSI)

The 343CQR certainly has enough pixel density -- 109 pixels per inch, the same as a 27-inch, 16:9, 1440p flat panel --to let you sit close. It delivers superb and accurate color with no need for calibration. You won’t even need to adjust the brightness slider if your preference is 200 nits. Just set up and enjoy.

Gaming performance is on par with other monitors in its price class. Though the 343CQR has slightly higher input lag than some 144 Hz monitors, it delivers responsiveness and quick gaming reflexes. However, its blur reduction feature is free of artifacts but much too bright for long-term play.

The 343CQR’s best attribute is its contrast. In SDR mode, it delivered nearly 4,000:1, which is higher than any IPS screen and most VA panels too. HDR looked amazing, thanks to a dynamic feature that bumps the range up to almost 20,000:1. That’s approaching FALD territory. If you’re shopping for a good HDR monitor but a premium zone-dimming display is out of reach, MSI might just have what you’re looking for.

With killer HDR, a tight 1000R curve, solid gaming performance, high contrast and accurate out-of-box color, the MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR comes 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.

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