MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor Review: The Ultimate 1080p Gaming Sweet Spot?

For years, my gaming setup felt like it was always one step behind. I had a powerful PC, a responsive mouse, and a mechanical keyboard that clicked with satisfying precision. Yet, something was always missing. During the most intense firefights in Apex Legends or while trying to nail a perfect lap in F1 23, my screen would stutter, tear, or blur, completely pulling me out of the experience. It was a constant, frustrating reminder that my old 60Hz monitor was the bottleneck in my entire system. The disconnect between my PC’s output and what I was actually seeing was palpable. I knew I needed an upgrade—something that could deliver the speed and fluidity modern games demand without completely emptying my wallet. The search for that perfect balance of performance, immersion, and value is what led me to seriously investigate the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor.

What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Monitor

A gaming monitor is more than just a screen; it’s your window into digital worlds. It’s a key solution for translating your graphics card’s raw power into a smooth, responsive, and visually stunning experience. The primary benefit is a massive competitive and immersive advantage. High refresh rates reduce input lag and motion blur, allowing you to react faster, while technologies like Adaptive Sync eliminate ugly screen tearing that can ruin a cinematic moment. For anyone serious about gaming, or even just wanting to enjoy movies and content at their best, a quality monitor is a non-negotiable component that fundamentally changes your day-to-day interaction with your computer.

The ideal customer for a product like this is a PC or console gamer who prioritises fluid gameplay and immersion over ultra-high resolution. They are likely playing fast-paced titles like shooters, racers, or MOBAs, where every frame counts. This monitor is perfect for someone building a powerful mid-range system or upgrading from a standard 60Hz office display. However, it might not be the best fit for professional graphic designers or video editors who require absolute colour accuracy (like full Adobe RGB coverage) or for those with top-of-the-line PCs who want to push 4K resolutions. If your primary use is professional creative work, an IPS panel with a focus on colour might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Resolution & Screen Size: For a 24-inch screen, a 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution is the sweet spot. It provides a sharp image with a high pixel density, and crucially, it’s less demanding on your graphics card, making it easier to achieve high frame rates. A larger screen at this resolution might start to look pixelated, so this size-to-resolution ratio is ideal for performance-focused gaming.
• Panel Technology & Performance: The MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor uses a Rapid VA panel. VA (Vertical Alignment) panels are renowned for their exceptional contrast ratios, producing deep, inky blacks that make images pop. The “Rapid” part of the equation means MSI has overcome the traditional slowness of VA panels, achieving a lightning-fast 1ms response time to eliminate ghosting and motion blur, while the 180Hz refresh rate ensures incredibly smooth motion.
• Curvature & Immersion: A curved screen, like the 1500R curve on this model, is designed to match the natural curvature of the human eye. This creates a more immersive viewing experience by wrapping the image around your peripheral vision, making you feel more engaged in your game or movie. It also helps reduce eye strain during long sessions as your eyes don’t have to refocus as much when looking at the edges of the screen.
• Connectivity & Features: Always check the ports. This monitor comes with DisplayPort 1.2a and HDMI 2.0b. To achieve the full 180Hz refresh rate, you will almost certainly need to use the DisplayPort connection. Also, consider quality-of-life features like eye-care technology (Anti-Flicker, Less Blue Light) and an intuitive navigation system for the on-screen menu, like the 5-way joystick found here.

Keeping these factors in mind, the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor stands out as a thoughtfully designed package for its target audience. You can explore its detailed specifications and current offers here.

While the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: Sleek Design, Simple Setup

Pulling the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor from its box, the first thing we noticed was its surprising lightness. At just 4.6 kilograms, it was effortless to handle. Assembly was a breeze and required no tools for the main stand; the base simply screws into the neck by hand, and the neck clips firmly into the back of the panel. This process took less than two minutes, a fact echoed by many users who praise its straightforward setup. The package also thoughtfully includes extra screws for VESA mounting, which is a nice touch.

Once assembled on the desk, its aesthetic is immediately appealing. The “frameless” design features incredibly thin bezels on three sides, which not only looks modern and clean but is also highly practical for anyone considering a dual-monitor setup. The 1500R curve is pronounced but not overwhelming; it feels purposeful and engaging. The overall build quality is solid plastic, but it feels well-constructed and stable on its stand. Powering it on for the first time, we were greeted with a vibrant, crisp display, and navigating the on-screen display (OSD) with the red 5-way joystick on the back was intuitive and far superior to the clunky multi-button setups on older monitors.

Deep Dive: Performance Under Pressure

A monitor’s spec sheet only tells half the story. To truly understand its capabilities, you have to put it through its paces. We spent weeks with the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor, using it for everything from competitive esports titles and sprawling open-world RPGs to daily productivity and media consumption. This is where the monitor truly revealed its character.

Gaming Performance: Speed, Fluidity, and Immersion

This is the arena where the MAG 244C was born to compete, and it does not disappoint. The jump from a standard 60Hz or even a 144Hz monitor to 180Hz is immediately noticeable. In fast-paced shooters like Counter-Strike 2, the world feels incredibly connected and fluid. Whipping the mouse around to track an opponent is no longer a blurry mess; targets remain clear and distinct, making aiming feel more precise and natural. The 1ms response time of the Rapid VA panel works in perfect harmony with the high refresh rate, effectively eliminating any ghosting or smearing that can plague slower panels. We experienced clean, sharp motion in every scenario we tested.

The 1500R curve adds another layer to the experience. While sitting at the desk, the gentle wrap-around effect fills your peripheral vision, pulling you deeper into the game world. In titles like Cyberpunk 2077, cruising through the neon-lit streets of Night City felt more cinematic and enveloping. The curve makes the 24-inch screen feel larger than it is, creating a more personal and focused gaming environment. Furthermore, enabling Adaptive Sync was a game-changer. With our NVIDIA graphics card, it worked flawlessly to synchronise the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame output, resulting in a completely tear-free experience. Even when frame rates dipped slightly in graphically intense scenes, the gameplay remained smooth and stutter-free.

Visual Fidelity: The VA Panel’s Secret Weapon

While speed is paramount for gaming, it means little without good image quality. This is where the choice of a VA panel for the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor truly shines. The standout feature is its 3000:1 native contrast ratio, which is roughly three times higher than what you’d find on a typical IPS monitor in this price range. In practice, this translates to stunningly deep blacks. Playing atmospheric horror games like Alan Wake 2 or watching dark scenes in a movie like The Batman was a revelation. Shadows have depth and detail, and there’s none of the distracting greyish glow (often called “IPS glow”) that can wash out an image on other panel types.

Colours are also rich and vibrant, thanks to the 105% sRGB colour gamut coverage and support for 1.07 billion colours. While it may not be calibrated for professional photo editing out of the box, the colours looked punchy and accurate enough for an excellent gaming and media experience. We also tested MSI’s AI Vision feature, which claims to enhance details in dark areas. It subtly brightens shadows without blowing out the highlights, making it easier to spot enemies lurking in dark corners without ruining the overall image contrast. It’s a genuinely useful feature for competitive play. The matte screen finish is also highly effective at diffusing reflections, ensuring a clear view even in a brightly lit room.

Design, Ergonomics, and Everyday Use

Living with the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor day-to-day is a pleasure. The physical design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The stand provides tilt adjustment (-5° to 20°), allowing you to find a comfortable viewing angle, though it lacks height or swivel adjustment. For those wanting more flexibility, the 100x100mm VESA mount compatibility is a welcome inclusion, allowing you to use any third-party arm.

The 5-way OSD joystick on the rear is a highlight of its usability. Instead of fumbling with multiple confusing buttons, a single, intuitive control allows you to effortlessly navigate menus, change inputs, and adjust settings like brightness, contrast, and gaming modes. MSI’s OSD is well-laid-out and offers a wealth of options, including various pre-set display modes for different game genres (FPS, Racing, RTS) and the ability to enable an on-screen crosshair. During long work or gaming sessions, the eye-care technologies proved their worth. The Anti-Flicker technology reduces the invisible screen flicker that causes eye strain, and the Less Blue Light mode warms the colour temperature to make late-night sessions more comfortable. These aren’t just marketing buzzwords; we felt a noticeable reduction in eye fatigue after several hours of use compared to older monitors lacking these features.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience is strongly corroborated by feedback from the wider user community. Many owners highlight the monitor’s exceptional value, with one user stating they were “shocked at how amazing not only the monitor quality is” for the price. The crisp image quality and vibrant lighting are frequently praised. The ease of assembly is another common theme, with one reviewer noting, “It is very easy to assemble and put together, has a very handy control centre at the back.”

The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, especially concerning the core gaming performance, where users report “no tearing or flickering.” However, there is a recurring, minor critique that aligns with our own findings: the included cable. As one user pointed out, “a HDMI cable is provided and not a display port one,” which can be an inconvenience for those whose graphics cards have limited HDMI ports or who want to ensure they can access the full 180Hz refresh rate without buying a separate cable. This is a small cost-saving measure from the manufacturer but one that potential buyers should be aware of.

Competitors and Alternatives to the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor

While the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor excels as a dedicated desktop gaming display, your needs might be different. If portability is your number one priority, allowing you to create a dual-screen setup anywhere, then a different class of monitor is required. Here’s how the MSI stacks up against three popular portable alternatives.

1. Dopesplay 15.6″ 1080P Portable Monitor

The Dopesplay Portable Monitor is designed for a completely different purpose: mobility. Its 15.6-inch screen is significantly smaller, and it forgoes high refresh rates and curvature in favour of a slim, lightweight design that can be powered via USB-C. This is an ideal choice for students, frequent travellers, or anyone needing a second screen for their laptop on the go. While it can be used for casual gaming with consoles like the Switch or PS5, it lacks the 180Hz speed and Adaptive Sync of the MSI, making it unsuitable for competitive PC gaming. Choose the Dopesplay if your desk is wherever your laptop is.

2. UPERFECT 15.6 Inch FHD 1080P Portable Monitor

Similar to the Dopesplay, the UPERFECT portable monitor is all about versatility and travel-friendliness. It features an IPS panel, which typically offers better viewing angles than a VA panel—a useful trait for a screen that might be used in various positions and environments. It includes a smart cover that doubles as a stand and connects via both USB-C and standard HDMI. Again, the trade-off is performance. You’re getting a standard 60Hz refresh rate, so it cannot compete with the MSI on gaming fluidity. It is an excellent choice for productivity, presentations, or as a secondary display for coding or streaming.

3. ASUS ZenScreen MB166C Portable 15.6″ 1080P USB-C Monitor

ASUS brings its reputable brand quality to the portable monitor space with the ZenScreen. This model focuses on simplicity and a premium feel, connecting with a single USB-C cable for both power and video signal. It also features an IPS panel for great colours and viewing angles, along with ASUS’s own eye-care technologies. The ZenScreen is a direct competitor to the UPERFECT and Dopesplay models, not the MSI MAG 244C. It’s a superb option for professionals who need to extend their laptop’s display while maintaining a clean, single-cable setup, but it is not a gaming monitor in the performance sense.

Our Final Verdict: Is the MSI MAG 244C Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor is an absolute triumph in the budget-to-mid-range gaming monitor market. It strikes an almost perfect balance between speed, image quality, and price. The combination of a 180Hz refresh rate, a 1ms response time, and a high-contrast VA panel creates a gaming experience that is both incredibly fluid and visually immersive. The 1500R curve genuinely enhances engagement, and thoughtful features like the OSD joystick and eye-care technology make it a pleasure to use every day.

Its few weaknesses—namely the lack of an included DisplayPort cable and its 1080p resolution—are entirely reasonable compromises for its price point. For any gamer looking to make the leap to high-refresh-rate gaming without breaking the bank, this monitor is not just a good option; it’s one of the best you can buy. It delivers a premium, competitive-grade experience that punches far above its weight class.

If you’ve decided the MSI MAG 244C 24 Inch FHD Curved Gaming Monitor is the right fit for your setup, you can check its current price and availability here.