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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Back
    5. Borders
    6. Thickness
    7. Build Quality
  5. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Horizontal Viewing Angle
    6. Vertical Viewing Angle
    7. Gray Uniformity
    8. Black Uniformity
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. SDR Color Gamut
    12. SDR Color Volume
    13. HDR Color Gamut
    14. HDR Color Volume
    15. Image Retention
    16. Gradient
    17. Color Bleed
    18. Reflections
    19. Text Clarity
  6. Motion
    1. Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
    2. Response Time @ 60Hz
    3. Image Flicker
    4. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    5. Refresh Rate
  7. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Resolution And Size
    3. Inputs
    4. Total Inputs
  8. Features
    1. Additional Features
    2. On-Screen Display (OSD)
    3. Controls
    4. In The Box
  9. Comments

MSI Optix G27C4 vs MSI Optix G27CQ4

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

MSI Optix G27C4
MSI Optix G27CQ4

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jul 04, 2022 06:48 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Oct 24, 2023 02:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
MSI Optix G27C4 Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Picture

Variants

  • Optix G27C4 (27")
  • Optix G27CQ4 (27")
  • Optix G32CQ4 (32")

Our Verdict

MSI Optix G27C4

MSI Optix G27CQ4

The MSI Optix G27CQ4 and the MSI Optix G27C4 are both very good gaming monitors. They're built nearly the same, and each has a VA panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. The main difference is that the G27CQ4 has a 1440p resolution, while the G27C4 is limited to 1080p. The G27CQ4 is a better choice for well-lit rooms because it gets much brighter. However, the G27C4 delivers much smoother motion thanks to its quick response time.

0 

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.1

Resolution And Size 
 

7.1
8.3

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Design Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Design Picture

Size  

27"
27"

Curved  

Yes
Yes

Curve Radius  

1500R
1500R

Weight (without stand) 
 

8.3 lbs (3.7 kg)
8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)

Weight (with stand) 
 

9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
9.9 lbs (4.5 kg)
Show Text 

Stand  

Stand Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Stand Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Stand Picture

Width 
 

16.4" (41.6 cm)
17.8" (45.1 cm)

Depth 
 

8.8" (22.4 cm)
8.9" (22.5 cm)
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

1.5
1.5

Ergonomics Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Ergonomics Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Ergonomics Picture

Height Adjustment 
 

0.0" (0.0 cm)
0.0" (0.0 cm)

Switch Portrait/Landscape  

No
No

Swivel Range  

No swivel
No swivel

Tilt Range  

-20° to 5°
-20° to 5°
Show Text 

Back  

Back Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Back Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 100x100
VESA 100x100
Show Text 

Borders  

Borders Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Borders Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Borders Picture

Borders 
 

0.3" (0.8 cm)
0.3" (0.8 cm)
Show Text 

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Thickness Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Thickness Picture

Thickness (with stand) 
 

8.2" (20.8 cm)
8.7" (22.1 cm)

Thickness (without stand) 
 

2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.8" (7.2 cm)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

6.5
6.5

Build Quality Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Build Quality Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Build Quality Picture
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

8.2
8.1

Checkerboard Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Checkerboard Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

3,658 : 1
3,390 : 1

Contrast With Local Dimming 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

0.0
0.0

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

No
No

Backlight 
 

Edge
Edge
Show Text 

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

6.8
7.7

SDR Real Scene 
 

248 cd/m²
335 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

234 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

234 cd/m²
296 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

246 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

247 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.004
0.000
Show Text 

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

0.0
0.0

HDR Real Scene 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

N/A
N/A

HDR ABL 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Horizontal Viewing Angle 
 

5.2
5.6

Horizontal Viewing Angle Video  

Horizontal Chroma Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Horizontal Chroma Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Horizontal Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Left 
 

24°
24°

Color Washout From Right 
 

27°
26°

Horizontal Hue Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Horizontal Hue Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Horizontal Hue Graph

Color Shift From Left 
 

32°
43°

Color Shift From Right 
 

39°
47°

Horizontal Lightness Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Horizontal Lightness Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Horizontal Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Left 
 

26°
28°

Brightness Loss From Right 
 

30°
30°

Black Level Raise From Left 
 

12°
19°

Black Level Raise From Right 
 

14°
21°

Gamma Shift From Left 
 

14°
17°

Gamma Shift From Right 
 

15°
16°
Show Text 

Vertical Viewing Angle 
 

5.1
5.3

Vertical Viewing Angle Video  

Vertical Chroma Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Vertical Chroma Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Vertical Chroma Graph

Color Washout From Below 
 

22°
26°

Color Washout From Above 
 

29°
27°

Vertical Hue Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Vertical Hue Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Vertical Hue Graph

Color Shift From Below 
 

36°
40°

Color Shift From Above 
 

44°
44°

Vertical Lightness Graph  

MSI Optix G27C4 Vertical Lightness Graph
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Vertical Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss From Below 
 

25°
29°

Brightness Loss From Above 
 

32°
30°

Black Level Raise From Below 
 

13°

Black Level Raise From Above 
 

13°
12°

Gamma Shift From Below 
 

10°
13°

Gamma Shift From Above 
 

13°
10°
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

8.9
8.9

50% Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 50% Uniformity Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

2.392%
2.089%

50% DSE 
 

0.098%
0.104%

5% Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 5% Uniformity Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.574%
0.739%

5% DSE 
 

0.038%
0.067%
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

5.4
4.7

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Native Black Uniformity Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

2.397%
2.860%

Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming  

MSI Optix G27C4 Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Pre Calibration 
 

5.6
8.4

Pre Calibration Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Pre Calibration Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Pre Calibration Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Pre Gamma Curve Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Pre Color Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Pre Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

RPG
User

Luminance 
 

157 cd/m²
297 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

80
100

Contrast Setting 
 

70
70

RGB Controls 
 

Normal
Normal

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

5,832 K
6,369 K

White Balance dE 
 

4.27
1.77

Color dE 
 

4.76
2.48

Gamma 
 

2.09
2.12
Show Text 

Post Calibration 
 

9.4
9.6

Post Calibration Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Post Calibration Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Post Calibration Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Post Gamma Curve Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Post Color Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Post Color Picture

Picture Mode 
 

User
User

Luminance 
 

101 cd/m²
99 cd/m²

Luminance Settings 
 

42
26

Contrast Setting 
 

70
70

RGB Controls 
 

43-44-55
94-95-98

Gamma Setting 
 

No Gamma Setting
No Gamma Setting

Color Temperature 
 

6,529 K
6,536 K

White Balance dE 
 

0.57
0.57

Color dE 
 

1.05
0.60

Gamma 
 

2.18
2.18
Show Text 

SDR Color Gamut 
 

9.0
9.2

Color Gamut sRGB Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Gamut sRGB Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Gamut sRGB Picture

sRGB xy 
 

96.8%
98.4%

Color Gamut ARGB Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Gamut ARGB Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Gamut ARGB Picture

Adobe RGB xy 
 

81.5%
84.6%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
User

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
User
Show Text 

SDR Color Volume 
 

9.5
9.5

sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture

sRGB In ICtCp 
 

99.0%
99.2%

Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture

Adobe RGB In ICtCp 
 

89.6%
90.5%

sRGB Picture Mode 
 

User
User

Adobe RGB Picture Mode 
 

User
User
Show Text 

HDR Color Gamut 
 

0.0
0.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

N/A
N/A

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

N/A
N/A

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec. 2020 xy 
 

N/A
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR
Show Text 

HDR Color Volume 
 

0.0
0.0

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

DCI-P3 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
N/A

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Rec. 2020 In ICtCp 
 

N/A
N/A

DCI P3 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR

Rec. 2020 Picture Mode 
 

No HDR
No HDR
Show Text 

Image Retention 
 

10
10

Image Retention Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Image Retention Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Image Retention Picture

IR After 0 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 2 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 4 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 6 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 8 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR After 10 Min Recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

8.2
9.7

Gradient Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Gradient Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

8 Bit
10 Bit
Show Text 

Color Bleed 
 

10
10

Color Bleed Horizontal  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Bleed Horizontal
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Bleed Horizontal

Pixel Row Error 
 

0.001%
0.001%

Color Bleed Vertical  

MSI Optix G27C4 Color Bleed Vertical
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Color Bleed Vertical

Pixel Column Error 
 

0.004%
0.002%
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

7.5
7.5

Average Room  

MSI Optix G27C4 Average Room
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Average Room

Average Room Off Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Average Room Off Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Bright Room Off Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Matte
Matte

Total Reflections 
 

5.4%
5.4%

Indirect Reflections 
 

3.2%
3.3%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

2.2%
2.1%
Show Text 

Text Clarity 
 

7.0
7.5

ClearType On  

MSI Optix G27C4 ClearType On
MSI Optix G27CQ4 ClearType On

Pixel Type 
 

VA
VA

ClearType Off  

MSI Optix G27C4 ClearType Off
MSI Optix G27CQ4 ClearType Off

Pixels  

MSI Optix G27C4 Pixels
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Pixels

Sub-Pixel Layout 
 

RGB
RGB
Show Text 
Motion

Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate 
 

8.5
7.8

Motion Blur Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Motion Blur Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

MSI Optix G27C4 Response Time Table
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Fastest
Fastest

Rise / Fall Time 
 

4.6 ms
5.5 ms

Total Response Time 
 

11.5 ms
13.5 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

6.1%
6.9%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

9.5 ms
12.6 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

17.0 ms
21.9 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

0.0%
0.0%
Show Text 

Response Time @ 60Hz 
 

7.5
6.8

Motion Blur Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Motion Blur Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Table  

MSI Optix G27C4 Response Time Table
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Response Time Table

Best Overdrive Setting 
 

Fast
Fast

Rise / Fall Time 
 

6.9 ms
5.7 ms

Total Response Time 
 

17.9 ms
21.1 ms

Overshoot Error 
 

1.4%
10.2%

Dark Rise / Fall Time 
 

9.1 ms
10.2 ms

Dark Total Response Time 
 

21.3 ms
22.2 ms

Dark Overshoot Error 
 

0.9%
1.8%
Show Text 

Image Flicker 
 

10
10

Backlight Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Backlight Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Backlight Picture

Flicker-Free  

Yes
Yes

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

0 Hz
0 Hz
Show Text 

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

6.1
6.1

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

Yes
Yes

BFI Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 BFI Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 BFI Frequency Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 BFI Frequency Picture

BFI Maximum Frequency 
 

165 Hz
165 Hz

BFI Minimum Frequency 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz
Show Text 

Refresh Rate 
 

9.2
9.2

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

FreeSync
FreeSync

Native 
 

165 Hz
165 Hz

Max Refresh Rate 
 

165 Hz
165 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
Yes

FreeSync 
 

Yes
Yes

G-SYNC 
 

Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (Tested)

VRR Maximum 
 

165 Hz
165 Hz

VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz

VRR Supported Connectors  

DisplayPort, HDMI
DisplayPort, HDMI
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

9.6
9.5

Native Resolution 
 

3.6 ms
4.3 ms

Native Resolution @ 60Hz 
 

8.9 ms
9.6 ms

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

3.7 ms
4.5 ms

Variable Refresh Rate @ 60Hz 
 

8.9 ms
9.5 ms

10 Bit HDR 
 

N/A
N/A

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

5.0 ms
6.3 ms
Show Text 

Resolution And Size 
 

7.1
8.3

Native Resolution  

1920 x 1080
2560 x 1440

Aspect Ratio  

16:9
16:9

Megapixels  

2.1 MP
3.7 MP

Pixel Density 
 

82 PPI
109 PPI

Screen Diagonal  

27.0"
27.0"

Screen Area  

310 in²
310 in²
Show Text 

Inputs  

Inputs 1  

MSI Optix G27C4 Inputs 1
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Inputs 1

Inputs 2  

MSI Optix G27C4 Inputs 2
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Inputs 2

Total Inputs  

DisplayPort  

1 (DP 1.2)
1 (DP 1.2)

Mini DisplayPort  

No
No

HDMI  

2 (HDMI 1.4)
2 (HDMI 2.0)

DVI  

No
No

VGA  

No
No

DisplayPort Out  

No
No

USB  

No
No

USB C  

No
No

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

1
1

Microphone In 3.5mm  

No
No

Digital Optical Audio Out  

No
No

Analog Audio Out RCA  

No
No

Power Supply  

External Brick
External Brick
Show Text 
Features

Additional Features 
 

RGB Illumination 
 

No
No

Speakers 
 

No
No

HDR10  

No
No

Multiple Input Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

On-Screen Display (OSD)  

OSD Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 OSD Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 OSD Picture

Controls  

Controls Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 Controls Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 Controls Picture
Show Text 

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

MSI Optix G27C4 In The Box Picture
MSI Optix G27CQ4 In The Box Picture
Show Text 

MSI Optix G27C4

MSI Optix G27CQ4

Comments

  1. Comparison

MSI Optix G27C4 vs MSI Optix G27CQ4: Main Discussion

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