MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED review: USB-C monitor meets gaming goodness

Price When Reviewed

$999.99

Best Prices Today: MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED

The MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED is yet another 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor that delivers excellent sharpness, vibrant color, and outstanding motion clarity. While it provides a few less common features, like a USB-C port with 90 watts of Power Delivery, it struggles to stand out from the competition. Even so, it remains a solid pick if you want a 32-inch 4K OLED monitor. 

Read on to learn more, and then see our roundup of the best USB-C monitors for comparison.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED specs and features

The MSI MPG 321URXW has a 31.5-inch Samsung QD-OLED panel with a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz. It’s not a new panel (many models were released through 2024), but it often scores well in our testing.

• Display size: 31.5-inch 16:9 widescreen
• Native resolution: 3840×2160
• Panel type: QD-OLED
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Adaptive sync: Yes, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
• HDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Certified
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort and 90 watts of Power Delivery, 1x USB-B 2.0 upstream, 2x USB-A 2.0 downstream, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Audio: None
• OLED Panel warranty: 3-year warranty including panel burn-in
• Price: $999.99 MSRP

There are a few features that make the MSI stand out, however. First, it provides a USB-C port with DisplayPort and up to 90 watts of Power Delivery. Although it’s becoming more common, USB-C is still not found on some competing 32-inch OLEDs. MSI also provides a strong 3-year warranty, which is better than the 2-year warranty provided by some brands, such as LG.

MSI lists the monitor with an MSRP of $999.99, and it’s currently selling at that price online. The price is mid-pack for a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor. Slightly older designs, like the Alienware AW3225QF, are available for $899.99. But some new models, like the HP Omen Transcend 32, are several hundred dollars more than the MSI.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED design

You’ll immediately notice the MSI MPG 321URXW’s most distinctive trait: It uses bright white plastics alongside silver metal accents for a distinctive, yet still professional, look. It’s an attractive monitor, though I prefer the look of Samsung’s Odyssey OLED monitors, which have a more cohesive and luxurious all-silver finish.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The rear of the panel is etched with MSI’s distinctive dragon logo and provides RGB-LED accent lighting for a touch of flair. MSI also sells the MPG 32URX, which is identical to the MPG 321URXW but has a stealthy ultra-black look.

MSI ships the monitor with an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, and swivel. Pivot is limited to 10 degrees either way, meaning it’s not possible to put the monitor in portrait mode with the included stand. A 100x100mm VESA mount is available for use with third-party monitor stands and arms.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED connectivity

The MSI MPG 321URXW has two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4a, and one USB-C port with DisplayPort, for a total of four video inputs, all of which support the monitor’s maximum resolution and refresh rate. That’s a good range of video input, though common for a high-end monitor.

Less common is the USB-C port which, in addition to DisplayPort, can also handle up to 90 watts of USB Power Delivery. That’s enough to power and charge most mid-range Windows laptops and 2-in-1s. The availability of USB-C is an advantage for the MPG 321URXW  as many 32-inch 4K OLEDs, like the Alienware AW3225QF and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (2024), don’t provide it. However, the more expensive HP Omen Transcend 32 has USB-C with 140 watts of power delivery, and its higher wattage pairs better with high-end laptops.    

The Alienware AW3225QF, meanwhile, offers eARC, a feature more commonly found on HDTVs that makes it easier to use with some home theater equipment. I’d take USB-C over eARC any day of the week, so I prefer MSI’s approach, but eARC might be preferable if you want to use a monitor as part of a compact gaming and home theater setup.

The MSI also has an internal power board. That’s notable, as many monitors with USB-C power delivery use an external power brick that takes up extra space under your desk.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED features

Owners can access the MSI MPG 321URXW’s features with a joystick centered behind the monitor’s bottom-right bezel. It provides quick, easy access to most monitor features. MSI’s menus tend to be well organized and readable, as well. I did notice one thing I must nitpick: Some options, like brightness, changed rather slowly. It’s a minor point, but one MSI should consider fixing in a firmware update.

The menus provide a typical range of options for a high-end monitor. There are multiple image quality presets, but the range of precise image quality adjustment is limited. The monitor doesn’t have multiple gamma presets, which is odd for this price tier, and color temperature settings offer vague presets (like “Warm”) instead of presets that target specific color temperature values. KVM switch functionality is included, as well.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

MSI also supports the usual range of gamer-centric features like an on-screen cross hair, a black equalizer (which boosts dark areas of the screen to reveal more detail), and aspect ratio modes that simulate a 24.5-inch or 27-inch monitor (which can be useful for competitive gamers).

Monitor features can also be accessed with the MSI Gaming Intelligence app. It’s not the most attractive app I’ve seen, but it does the job and is even designed to look similar to the monitor’s on-screen menu, which is a nice touch.

Speakers aren’t included. That’s always a bit disappointing, but it’s not uncommon for high-end gaming monitors. Most decide to ditch audio and assume owners will use a headset. The MPG 321URXW includes an easy-to-access headphone jack for audio pass-through, at least.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED SDR image quality

As mentioned, the MSI MPG 321URXW has a 31.5-inch Samsung QD-OLED panel with a maximum resolution of 3840×2160. This panel has appeared in several previous monitors and has always scored top marks. The MPG 321URXW is no exception.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Brightness is usually a weakness for OLED monitors, and the same is true of the MSI MPG 321URXW. Still, its maximum sustained SDR brightness of 254 nits is typically for a QD-OLED monitor and, more importantly, is bright enough for use in most rooms.

The monitor’s gloss finish can be an issue if you have a light positioned opposite the monitor, however, and the monitor will seem dim if used in a bright, sunlit room with no shades or other light control.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Contrast is always a strength for OLED monitors. The MSI MPG 321URXW, like its peers, can hit a minimum brightness of zero nits in dark scenes. As a result, it has an effectively infinite contrast ratio and provides outstanding depth and immersion. The benefit really stands out when watching HDR films or a game with a cinematic look, like Cyberpunk 2077.

The only problem? All of MSI’s competitors offer the same perk. This is a strength, but not an advantage over the competition.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

It’s a similar story with the monitor’s color gamut. QD-OLED monitors offer an incredible, highly saturated color gamut that rank among the best available in any consumer display. The MSI MPG 321URXW’s color gamut spans 97 percent of DCI-P3 and 94 percent of AdobeRGB, which makes it great for both entertainment and professional content creation. But, again, competitors with QD-OLED panels have similar strengths.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The MPG 321URXW’s color accuracy is rather good. Although it doesn’t match the best performers in its category, the level of color accuracy it provides is far more than adequate to deliver a realistic, lifelike image.

With that said, the MPG 321URXW has two minor downsides typical of QD-OLED panels. The default gamma curve came in at 2.3 instead of the target of 2.2, which means content tends to look a bit darker than intended. It also has a color temperature of 6200K, which is noticeably warmer than the target of 6500K. While the variance is noticeable, it’s not a problem for games and entertainment.

However, you’ll need to calibrate the monitor if you’re trying to home in on a gamma curve of 2.2 and color temperature of 6500K, which are typical expectations for a computer monitor. The monitor’s lack of fine-grain gamma and color temperature adjustment doesn’t help matters.

Sharpness is a big advantage, as you might expect. The 32-inch 4K looks incredible when fed high-quality 4K content like AAA games or lightly compressed 4K video. Small fonts and high-contrast edges show minimal pixelation or aliasing.

Overall, the MSI MPG 321URXW provides outstanding, yet not exceptional SDR image quality. Like many QD-OLED monitors, it sits in an odd spot. On the one hand, it’s objectively among the very best SDR computer monitors ever made. But, on the other hand, its direct competitors all provide great SDR image quality. The MSI MPG 321URXW’s SDR image is certain to impress you, but it’s not a reason to buy it over another 4K QD-OLED display.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED HDR image quality

The monitor’s HDR image, on the other hand, just might get you off the fence.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Although the MSI MPG 321URXW is only VESA DisplayHDR True Black certified, it also has a “peak brightness 1000” mode which, in fact, did deliver a maximum HDR brightness of 1,025 nits in a 10 percent window (meaning just 10 percent of the display was lit).

HDR brightness was more typical for an OLED monitor when large portions of the panel were lit. Still, these results show the MSI MPG 321URXW can deliver punchy, vivid, and detailed HDR highlights, like explosions. Watching my personal favorite HDR test clip, the “Into the Storm” scene from Mad Max: Fury Road, confirmed the measurements. The scene’s lightning strikes and explosions feel appropriately cinematic.

That’s not to say it’s perfect. As the graph shows, HDR brightness is still very low when large portions of the display are lit. So, if you’re viewing a very bright scene—like a snowy level in an HDR game—the monitor can look less impactful. Still, the MPG 321URXW’s overall HDR performance is great for a PC monitor and better than average for QD-OLED.

MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED motion performance

Though it offers a tack-sharp 4K image, the MPG 321URXW can also hit a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz. That’s not unusual for a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED, but it’s still fantastic.

Fast-moving objects are clearly defined, scrolling text is usually legible, and quick camera pans in 3D games preserve good detail. All of this is good news for gamers, of course, but also makes the monitor look crisp when scrolling through web pages or documents.

The MPG 321URXW also supports adaptive sync, but it only lists official support for Nvidia G-Sync. That doesn’t mean it won’t work with other adaptive sync solutions, as I had no problems using AMD FreeSync with the monitor connected to an AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card. I always prefer to see monitor makers list broad support for all flavors of adaptive sync, as it’s less confusing for shoppers. 

Should you buy the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED?

The MSI MPG 321URXW is yet another excellent 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor. Its SDR image quality and motion performance, though excellent, are similar to competing monitors. The MPG 321URXW scores small wins in maximum HDR brightness and connectivity, as it provides a USB-C port with 90 watts of Power Delivery, but its design isn’t quite as attractive as competitors like the Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED.

Best Prices Today: MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED

Author: Matthew S. Smith, Contributor, PCWorld