It effectively manages glare, with strong control of reflections and very good peak brightness. Due to the IPS panel’s low contrast, it is less effective in dimmer settings. On the other hand, it has outstanding ergonomics and wide viewing angles, so it should be simple to find a viewing posture that is comfortable. Black frame insertion is one of the additional gaming features it offers, but you can’t use it at the same time as VRR and it only works inside a specific range of refresh rates.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Design
The Oculux NXG253R doesn’t have the Asus monitor’s bizarre appearance when viewed from the front, but it isn’t always a bad thing. It has a sophisticated and understated appearance, and its broad, strong base has plenty of room for ancillary storage. Only the rear of the display has gaming design elements; the rest has a rock-solid build quality that is comforting for frequent movement. A sizable Nvidia G-Sync 360 logo and a narrow strip of RGB LED illumination are present. The MSI offers 100mm VESA mounting in addition to the massive 130mm of height adjustment, and all other movements are straightforward and fluid. In this area, it is a touch more generous than the Asus panel, which did respond by supplying a desk-mounting kit.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Display
The monitor’s G-Sync module and 360 Hz functionality are boldly displayed on the back panel and highlighted by an LED strip. There is simply an on/off option in the on-screen display (OSD) menu that emits a gentle green light. The Mystic Light desktop program from MSI monitors lets you choose more colors. Through a tiny, red joystick, you may control every aspect of the monitor. Its four directions can be programmed in addition to using the OSD for navigation. you can The stand for the NXG253Rs is extremely sturdy and has a broad, level base plate. The components are made of plastic with a matte surface over hefty metal cores. There are several adjustments, including a 90-degree portrait mode, a -5/20° tilt, and a 45-degree swivel. Movements have a quality feel, are firm, and lack any unnecessary play. The NXG253R performs like a high-end component should. On the left side of the device are three USB 3.2 downstream ports, one of which is the specific mouse port used by Reflex.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Interface
On the left side of the device are three USB 3.2 downstream ports, one of which is the specific mouse port used by Reflex. Connect a USB-B cable from the downstream port underneath to your PC in order to use it. A supported game, mouse, and graphics card are additional requirements. you can buy this gaming monitor from its official website. Two HDMI 2.0b and one DisplayPort 1.4 are available as visual connections for the display. You must use DisplayPort in order to utilize the maximum 360 Hz refresh rate. Although the HDMI inputs can only provide 240 Hz, both interfaces support Adaptive-Sync and HDR.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Gaming Performance
The latest model from MSI is based around an IPS panel, which has all the deep blacks and vibrant colors that technology has to offer, in contrast to the majority of high refresh rate panels, which are VA or TN displays with restricted viewing angles and shallow colors. Since making high refresh rate panels is more expensive, IPS has historically been slower to the party. However, it’s clear that plenty of us are sold on 120Hz and higher. In fact, far beyond. Since this is the first 360Hz monitor I’ve used, I must admit that I’m skeptical about any potential performance improvements. But what about 120Hz to 360Hz? 60Hz to 120Hz is transformational. Surely, one’s ability to play video games doesn’t improve dramatically. Also, eyeballs can only see at 60 frames per second.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Performance
There are several intriguing choices available in the G-Sync monitor Processor menu. The performance and visibility in esports mode are maximized. The variable backlight functions are disabled, and the gamma is changed to enhance shadow detail. The image gets really bright. ULMB has a configurable pulse width if you prefer a backlight strobe to adaptive-sync. Less motion blur and less light output are indicated by smaller values. Starting with a 20% brightness drop, the feature gradually becomes darker. There is little need to omit Adaptive-Sync at 360 Hz, though. Motion blur is eliminated when high framerates are combined with the monitor’s overdrive.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Price
In the same price range as 360Hz panels, many 1440p screens with respectable refresh rates are now available for purchase. The price of the Samsung Odyssey G7, one of the few displays with 1440p, 240Hz, and support for HDR 1000, is equal to that of the NXG253R. For just over $600, the ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQM boasts 270Hz on a 27-inch screen with 1440p resolution. In fact, the value may change dramatically depending on where you are. For instance, Alienware’s AW2721D, which features a 1440p, 240Hz IPS screen, is just slightly less expensive in Australia than the NXG253R.
MSI Oculux NXG253R review: Final Words
For competitive gamers, the MSI Oculux NXG253R is a superb display. World-class gameplay is delivered by the 360Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync smoothness, and 1ms response time. It is crisp, tear-free, and rapid, and in practical use it is somewhat faster than the Asus thanks to its marginally better response time. The MSI is perfect for practical gamers because it has a fantastic build quality and lots of adjustment options. It’s not flawless. The Asus offers higher overall visual quality than the MSI despite having more accurate colors due to its stronger contrast and gamut handling. The Samsung is superior for all types of popular gaming as well. As usual, only the most demanding competitive gamers should use 360Hz displays. But if that’s the case, the MSI barely edges out its major opponent in terms of performance, making it our go-to eSports display.
