Gaming monitor manufacturers squeeze out as much performance as possible from current technology. However, significant leaps in maximum resolution and refresh rates often require a new connectivity standard. The just-announced 32-inch MSI MPG 322URX is one of the first 4K QD-OLED monitors to include DisplayPort 2.1a. With a higher bandwidth signal, buyers can enjoy 4K 240 Hz gaming without compromises. MSI hasn’t revealed the monitor’s North American pricing, but it’s expected to be available after CES 2025.
MSI’s new monitor surfaced in Asia earlier this month. Although MSI didn’t link to a product page in today’s press release, buyers can find MPG 322URX specs on its website.
Key MPG 322URX Specs
- Panel Size: 31.5″
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (UHD)
- SDR/HDR Brightness: 250/450 nits Peak 1000 nits
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Response Time: 0.03ms (GtG)
- HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 400
- Video Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1 (UHD at 240 Hz), 1x DisplayPort 2.1a (UHBR20), 1x Type-C w/ 98 watt power draw
- Viewing Angle: 178°(H) / 178°(V)
Of course, the new DisplayPort 2.1a input differentiates the monitor from competitors. The MPG 322URX achieves a maximum bandwidth of 80 gigabits per second (Gbps), more than twice that of the DisplayPort 1.4’s 32 Gbps mark. DisplayPort 2.1a is also superior to HDMI 2.1 monitors and should be the first choice for PC gamers in 2025. The end result is flawless 4K gameplay at a 240 Hz refresh rate.
The advantages of DisplayPort 2.1a may not seem groundbreaking, but it’s significant that the MPG 322URX no longer needs Display Stream Compression (DSC) to maximize its potential. Most gamers don’t realize it’s active, but DSC uses clever tricks to transmit higher-resolution signals using less bandwidth. Performance impacts are minimal, but the technology slightly increases latency. For competitive gamers, any input delay is concerning. DisplayPort 2.1a also eliminates any chance of visual artifacts resulting from compression.
Related
Best Monitors for Xbox Series X in 2024
Discover the ideal monitor for your Xbox Series X in our detailed guide, tailored for every gamer’s needs.
Before you commit to a DisplayPort 2.1a monitor, you should realize how few compatible GPUs exist. Some AMD Radeon 7000 series consumer cards include this faster port, but their UHBR13 spec limits bandwidth to 54 Gbps. Gamers must save up for the pricey NVIDIA RTX 5090 to experience DisplayPort 2.1a at its maximum potential. Another issue is that compatible cables are difficult to find, and most are too short for some setups.
How Else Does the MPG 322URX Excel?
Even without DisplayPort 2.1a hardware, the MSI MPG 322URX is an impressive 4K display. Like other QD-OLED monitors, it should produce exceptionally deep blacks. Its contrast ratio matches the MSI MPG 321URX, which uses the older DisplayPort 1.4a. Even so, there are some differences in USB connectivity. The MPG 322URX has a USB-C port that charges laptops at 98 watts, eight more watts than its predecessor. From a cosmetic perspective, the two monitors are virtually identical.
Without the latest DisplayPort, Xbox Series X and PS5 gamers still have sufficient bandwidth for 4K gaming at a 120 Hz refresh rate. The MSI MPG 322URX thrives as a PS5 Pro monitor, but PC gamers benefit from G-Sync support. When combined with a minuscule 0.03 ms GTS response time, frantic FPS gaming feels ultra-smooth without tearing. Other features, like AI Vision, boost brightness in games without obscuring objects in darker parts of images.
If you are looking for DisplayPort 2.1 monitors that are already available, options are scarce. The Gigabyte AORUS FO32U2 Pro, which was released earlier this year, made headlines as an early-adopting DisplayPort 2.1 4K OLED monitor. Like the MPG 322URX, it supports 240 Hz at 4K, but has slower USB-C charging and lacks G-Sync certification.
The MSI MPG 322URX has a unique feature set that’s as future-proof as any existing gaming monitor. We’ll update readers when more specific pricing and availability details emerge for the display.
More
Our Picks For The Best TV And Gaming Monitors Of 2024
From a high-end 4K 240Hz QD-OLED to a $250 mini-LED monitor, here are the top gaming TVs and monitors of 2024.