MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR in the test: high immersion with 1000R and 21: 9 with 165 Hz

The MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR relies on a strong curvature of 1000R, a 21: 9 aspect ratio with 3,440 × 1,440 pixels, up to 165 Hz, DisplayHDR 400, VA panel, FreeSync Premium and a USB-C port. In practice this leads to a contrast of 4,000: 1, decent colors and a very high immersion when playing.

Table of contents

1 High immersion with 1000R and 21: 9 with 165 Hz
1. Technical data and experience
2. Good OSD and very good operation
3. Power consumption in comparison
2 display measurements
1. Brightness and color space
2. Display and input lag (beta)
3 Conclusion

The MPG Artymis 343CQR from MSI is a 1000R curved gaming monitor with a 34-inch display diagonal, an aspect ratio of 21: 9 and UWQHD resolution of 3,440 × 1,440 pixels. With a response time of up to 165 Hz, DisplayHDR 400, VA panel, FreeSync Premium and a USB-C connection as well as ergonomic functions, the screen promises a lot – not just for gamers.

So far, the model has only been listed in retail outlets at a recommended retail price of 999 euros from a few retailers. In the test field, the MPG Artymis 343CQR is not the first monitor with a 21: 9 aspect ratio and UWQHD resolution. The Asus ROG Strix XG35VQ (test) already had these characteristics, but offered a maximum of 100 Hz and was less curved at 1800R.

Technical data and experience

VA- Panel with 165 Hz and DisplayHDR 400

For the MPG Artymis 343CQR, MSI relies on a VA panel that is DisplayHDR 400 certified. In addition to processing HDR signals, it offers a guaranteed minimum brightness of 400 cd/m². MSI itself names a maximum brightness of 550 cd/m². The contrast of the display should be 3,000: 1 and thus, thanks to the generally better black values of VA technology, typically above the value of 1,000: 1 of an IPS panel. MSI does not specify the response time of 1 ms as gray to gray, but only as MPRT. Typically, this corresponds to a response time of around 4 ms gray-to-gray. The viewing angles of the matte display are 178 degrees horizontally and vertically. The 10 bits of the screen are created by 8 bits + FRC, so it is not a VA panel with native 10 bits.

MSI specifies the color space coverage with 92.7 percent DCI-P3 and 117.8 percent sRGB. In this respect, the model cannot keep up with nano-crystal-based IPS displays.

The refresh rate is variable between 48 and 165 Hz and MSI supports AMD FreeSync Premium, so that a synchronization between image output and playback can take place with AMD graphics cards. Thanks to “Low Framerate Compensation” (LFC), frames are duplicated when the FPS falls below 48, which makes the output smoother and avoids tearing. The monitor is not officially G-Sync compatible, but the test did not reveal any abnormalities when using the variable refresh rate with an Nvidia graphics card.

The 3,440 × 1,440 pixels of the Artymis 343CQR ensure that there are different maximum refresh rates depending on the input source. While the DisplayPort and USB Type C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode each support the maximum possible 165 Hz at full resolution, only up to 100 Hz are supported via HDMI.

USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI and USB

The video inputs of the display, as well as the USB ports on the back, are routed downwards. However, due to the lack of a pivot function, they are not suitable for frequent changes of storage media, for example. In addition to a DisplayPort 1.4 and the USB-C input with DisplayPort alternate mode, two HDMI 2.0 connections are available for the video inputs. Two USB-A 3.2 ports (Gen. 1) are available for peripherals or storage media. All USB interfaces support a maximum of 5 Gbit/s.

The USB-C port does not turn out to be a full-fledged hub for notebooks, because it only charges connected devices with 15 watts, which is usually not enough, and does not transfer any data via USB. A mouse, keyboard or USB stick connected to the USB-A interfaces of the monitor is not coupled to the notebook connected via USB-C. To do this, the screen's USB-B port must also be connected to the notebook. MSI lets almost the full potential of the USB-C interface lie.

A 3.5 mm headphone output is available as a further connection. The monitor does not have built-in speakers. A small headset suspension that can be extended is integrated on the right display frame.

MSI MPG Artymis 343CQR MSI Optix MAG274QRFDE-QD AOC Agon AG273QZ MSI Optix MAG272CQR LG 27GL850-B ViewSonic XG270QG LCD panel VA IPS TN VA (curved) IPS backlight LED LED (quantum dots) LED nano-LED resolution 3.4 × 1,440 2,560 × 1,440 (165 Hz) 2,560 × 1,440 (240 Hz) 2,560 × 1,440 (165 Hz) 2,560 × 1,440 (144 Hz) 2,560 × 1,440 (144 Hz/165 Hz (OC)) Pixel density 110 ppi 109 ppi HDR DisplayHDR 400 HDR DisplayHDR 400 HDR HDR10 – FreeSync/G-Sync FreeSync Premium FreeSync Premium Pro FreeSync FreeSync + G-Sync compatible G-Sync + FreeSync Aspect ratio 21: 9 16: 9 Contrast (static) 3,000: 1 1,000: 1 3,000: 1 1,000: 1 Brightness max. 550 cd/m² 300 cd/m² 400 cd/m² 300 cd/m² 350 cd/m² Color depth 10 bit (8 bit + FRC) 8 bit 10 bit (8 bit + FRC) color space 92.7% DCI-P3, 117.8% sRGB 97% DCI-P3, 147% sRGB 126% sRGB, 93% Adobe RGB 90% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB 98% DCI-P3 Viewing angle (horizontal/vertical) 178 °/178 ° 170 °/160 ° 178 °/178 ° Response time 1 ms MPRT 1 ms (gray to gray) 0.5 ms MPRT 1 ms MPRT 1 ms (gray to gray) Video inputs 1 × Display Port 1.4, 2 × HDMI 2.0b, 1 × USB-C DP alt. 2 × HDMI 2.0, 2 × DisplayPort 1.4, 2 × HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.2a, USB-C 2 × HDMI, DisplayPort 1.4 1 × HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 Audio headphone output headphone output, audio input, 2 × 5 watt speakers Headphone output Headphone output, 2 × 2-watt loudspeakers USB 2 × USB 3.0 4 × USB 3.0 2 × USB 3.0 2 × USB 3.0 3 × USB 3.0 Ergonomics display tiltable (-5 °/+ 20 °), height adjustable (100 mm), tiltable (-30 °/+ 30 °), display tiltable (-5 °/+ 20 °), height adjustable (100 mm), tiltable (-75 °/+ 75 °), pivot display tiltable (-5.5 °/+ 21.5 °), height adjustable (110 mm), swiveling (-32 °/+ 32 °), pivot display tiltable (-5 °/+ 20 °), height adjustable (130 mm) display tiltable (-5 °/+ 15 °), height adjustable (110 mm), pivot display tiltable (-5 °/+ 20 °), height adjustable (120 mm), swiveling (-45 °/+ 45 °), pivot power consumption Operation: typ. 54 W; Standby: 0.5 W Operation: typ. 32 W; Standby: 0.5 W Operation: typ. 52 W; Standby: 0.5 W Operation: n/a A .; Standby: k. A. Operation: max. 65 W; Standby: 0.5 W Operation: max. 65 W, typ. 60 W; Standby: 0.5 W Other USB-C Power Delivery (15 W), blue light filter, VESA mount (100 × 100 mm), various game profiles, LED lighting, blue light filter, VESA mount (75 × 75 mm ),
various game profiles, OSD USB control element, 2 × headset holder, LED lighting blue light filter, VESA mount (100 × 100 mm),
various game profiles, headset holder blue light filter, VESA mount (100 × 100 mm), various game profiles, mouse bungee, headset holder, blue light filter, VESA mount (100 × 100 mm),
various game profiles, LED lighting, mouse bungee, headset holder, privacy screen Price price comparison from 538 euros from 620 euros from 399 euros from 387 euros from 720 euros

Stand and ergonomic functions

For the stand, MSI relies on a protruding V-stand, which gives the wide monitor a secure stand. Due to the aspect ratio of 21: 9, no pivot function is implemented, but you don't have to do without ergonomics. The height of the display can be adjusted by the usual but tightly measured 100 mm. The inclination is also within the usual range of +20 to -5 degrees. When rotating, 30 degrees are possible in each direction – due to the strong curvature of the display, this is sufficient in everyday life. The signal cables can be led through a recess in the base, but cannot be laid completely hidden. If you don't want to use the stand of the monitor, you can use the 100 x 100 mm VESA mount.

RGB lighting via Mystic Light

On the back, MSI relies on a mix of designs with RGB lighting that separates the back across. This RGB bar is in turn divided into seven fields and can be adjusted using the “Gaming OSD” software under Windows. To do this, the PC must be connected to the monitor's USB-B port. In addition, the MSI dragon logo is highlighted with RGB lighting, which can also be adjusted via the software. In the software, again in contrast to the OSD, you can choose from numerous effects for the LED lighting so that, for example, it is linked to the screen content or the sound in addition to specified effects. Without darkness in the room, the player in front of the display only notices a little of it.

UWQHD for 110 ppi at 21: 9

With an aspect ratio of 21: 9, the MSI Artymis 343CQR is actually not only interesting for gamers, as a wider display is also useful in office use. The extreme curvature in a radius of only one meter directs the focus strongly on games. As a rule, current titles no longer have problems with the aspect ratio of 21: 9. However, should a game show anomalies, in the worst case the player has to be satisfied with black borders at the edges of the image.

The UWQHD resolution of 3,440 × 1,440 pixels and the aspect ratio of 21: 9 result in a pixel density of 110 ppi. This puts the display on the level of a 27-inch model with 2,560 × 1,440 pixels (109 ppi).