I found a 27-inch MSI monitor with a 1080p IPS panel, 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, Adaptive-Sync, HDR support, HDMI, and DisplayPort for about $100. The price seems unusually low, although the product only has a small number of reviews. Is there an obvious drawback, or have 1080p high-refresh-rate monitors simply become inexpensive? I would especially like to know whether the 27-inch size makes 1080p look noticeably blurry compared with 1440p, and whether there are any important omissions such as built-in speakers or poor overall quality.
5 Answers
If you can spend another $40–$100, look at a 27-inch 1440p 144Hz monitor instead. Used models can sometimes be found around this price too. The extra resolution makes a big difference for desktop use and sharpness, though 1080p may be preferable if your computer struggles to run games at 1440p.
There probably is not a hidden catch. 1080p IPS panels with high refresh rates are mature and inexpensive now, so prices around $80–$100 are normal. This is a fairly basic monitor by current standards, but the refresh rate and IPS panel are still useful for budget gaming.
The main drawback is the pixel density. 1080p spread across 27 inches can make text and fine details look noticeably soft or jagged, especially for reading documents or browsing. For gaming, it can still be perfectly usable, but 1440p is generally a better match for this screen size.
For a first gaming monitor or a secondary display, it looks like a reasonable deal. Just do not buy it expecting premium HDR, exceptional speakers, or the sharpness of a 1440p screen. The low price mostly reflects the basic 1080p resolution and the fact that this type of monitor is now widely available.
Check the less obvious features before buying. This model may not have built-in speakers, and budget displays can have more limited stands, ports, brightness, or quality control. None of that makes the price suspicious, but it is worth confirming the return policy and checking for dead pixels after delivery.
I noticed the same thing with text: curved letters can look a little blocky. It is much less noticeable if you sit farther away or mostly play games.