The MSI Optix G27C5 is an entry-level, curved gaming display that was released in April 2020. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate, and although this might not rival some of the highest-rated monitors in the market, it is good enough for fluid gaming. The 27-inch monitor has a 1080p screen resolution, and like most top-rated gaming monitors, it also offers native FreeSync Variable Refresh Rate support. It can display deep blacks thanks to a 3676:1 contrast ratio, and with a 97.2% coverage of the sRGB color scale, it has a pretty wide color gamut. Lastly, fast motion sequences remain clear thanks to a decent 13ms response time.
45
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196
Computer Monitors
MSI Optix G27C5 Review
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4
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The MSI Optix G27C5 was praised as a decent entry-level gaming display with excellent contrast and outstanding gaming responsiveness, thanks to a low input lag. Still, reviewers were slightly disappointed with its lack of support for HDR content, poor reflection handling, and narrow viewing angles.
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The MSI Optix G27C5 is an entry-level, curved gaming display that was released in April 2020. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate, and although this might not rival some of the highest-rated monitors in the market, it is good enough for fluid gaming. The 27-inch monitor has a 1080p screen resolution, and like most top-rated gaming monitors, it also offers native FreeSync Variable Refresh Rate support. It can display deep blacks thanks to a 3676:1 contrast ratio, and with a 97.2% coverage of the sRGB color scale, it has a pretty wide color gamut. Lastly, fast motion sequences remain clear thanks to a decent 13ms response time.
Rankings (recommended in)
Best For
1080p
144Hz
Budget
Consensus
our Verdict
The MSI Optix G27C5 is a reliable, 27-inch, curved gaming monitor that experts have commended as a decent entry-level pick for casual gaming. Reviewers from Monitor Nerds played a few games on it during testing, and to their delight, they enjoyed ultra-smooth gameplay and did not encounter any screen tearing. They attributed this to the monitor’s 165Hz refresh rate. Additionally, they were pleased that there wasn’t any motion blur during fast action scenes and felt that this resulted from its 13ms response time. Testers from Tom’s Hardware were also very pleased with how well blacks appeared when viewed in a dark setting, and they attributed this to the monitor’s 3676:1 contrast ratio. At 3.4ms, its input lag was also relatively low, leading to faster gaming responsiveness.
However, just like the MSI Optix G27C4, the G27C5 lacks HDR content support and has narrow viewing angles. This means it may not deliver an optimal viewing experience for everyone if used in a group setting.
Reason to Buy
- Exceptional contrast
- Low input lag
- High 165Hz refresh rate
- High color accuracy
- Good response time
Reason to Avoid
- No support for HDR content
- Narrow viewing angles
- Poor reflection handling
MSI Optix G27C5 Specs
| Display Type | VA | |
| HDMI Inputs | 2 | |
| HDR Format | n/a | |
| Max Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | |
 | Panel Type | VA |
| Refresh Rate | 165 Hz | |
 | Response Time | 1 ms |
| Screen size | 27" | |
 | Sync Technology | AMD FreeSync |
All Specs
Test Results
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| Brightness (nits) | 287 |
| Contrast Ratio (as ratio, x:1) | 3,676 |
| Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 xy) | 0 |
| Color Gamut/Accuracy % (DCI P3 uv) | 0 |
| Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB Coverage xy) | 81.1 |
| Color Gamut % (sRGB Coverage xy) | 97.2 |
| Color Gamut % (Rec. 2020 Coverage xy) | 0 |
| Color Gamut % (Rec. 709 Coverage xy) | 0 |
| Input Lag (ms) | 9.3 |
| Response Time (ms) | 6.6 |
| Reflections % (Total Reflections) | 5.4 |
| Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Left) | 26 |
| Horizontal Viewing Angle (Washout Right) | 26 |
| Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Above) | 28 |
| Vertical Viewing Angle (Washout Below) | 27 |
All Tests
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Product Comparison
 MSI Optix G27C5 Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 83 | 81 | 76 | 80 |
Ranking | # 45 / 196 | # 82 / 196 | # 161 / 196 | # 102 / 196 |
Market Context |
The MSI Optix G27C5 is an entry-level, curved gaming display that was released in April 2020. It has a decent 165Hz refresh rate, and although… |
The MSI Optix G27C5 and the MSI Optix G27C4 are two monitors that both have a 165Hz refresh rate, but at 287 nits, the G27C5… The MSI Optix G27C5 and the MSI Optix G27C4 are two monitors that both have a 165Hz refresh rate, but at 287 nits, the G27C5 is the brighter pick compared to the G27C4, which peaks at 247 nits. The G27C5 also has slightly better color accuracy thanks to a 97.2% sRGB coverage against the G27C4’s 96.8% coverage, however, the G27C4 has a faster response time of 11ms compared to the G27C5’s 13ms. |
The MSI Optix G27C5 is pretty similar to the MSI Optix G27C6 since they both have dual HDMI 1.4 ports and a 165Hz refresh rate,… The MSI Optix G27C5 is pretty similar to the MSI Optix G27C6 since they both have dual HDMI 1.4 ports and a 165Hz refresh rate, but the G27C5 has a faster response time of 13ms compared to the G27C6’s 18.6ms, resulting in motion that is a lot smoother. |
Regarding ergonomics and brightness, the MSI Optix G27C5 is outmatched by the ASUS TUF VG27VQ since the Asus monitor has a higher 346 nit peak… Regarding ergonomics and brightness, the MSI Optix G27C5 is outmatched by the ASUS TUF VG27VQ since the Asus monitor has a higher 346 nit peak brightness setting compared to the G27C5’s 285 nits. However, the G27C5 has higher color accuracy since it covers 97.2% of the sRGB color space compared to the G27C5’s 91.7%. |
Display Type | VA | VA | VA | LED |
HDMI Inputs | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
HDR Format | n/a | n/a | n/a | Yes |
Max Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
Panel Type | VA | VA | VA | VA |
Refresh Rate | 165 Hz | 165 Hz | 165 Hz | 165 Hz |
Response Time | 1 ms | 1 ms | 1 ms | 4 ms |
Screen size | 27" | 27" | 27" | 27" |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
81
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
90
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
83
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Score Breakdown
Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight.
103.4Category Trust Score
67The MSI Optix G27C5 is an okay overall monitor. It performs best as a gaming… read moreBy:
Samuel Breton
92.08Category Trust Score
NR“No bottom line found for this product” read moreBy:
Niels Broekhuijsen- 61.84
Category Trust Score
NR“No bottom line found for this product” read moreBy:
Raevenlord - 74.45
Category Trust Score
NR“No bottom line found for this product” read moreBy:
Alex Alderson
Customer Score Breakdown
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