Display
23.6 in, VA, 1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080p
23.6
Refresh Rate
48 Hz - 180 Hz
48 Hz
Brightness
300 cd/m²
300 cd
Contrast Ratio
3000 : 1
3000
Overview
Built around a VA panel, the MSI MAG 242C runs at 1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080p with a 48 Hz - 180 Hz refresh range. Motion handling is rated at 1 ms (MPRT) MPRT. Colour and light output come in at 300 cd/m² typical brightness, 3000 : 1 contrast and 115.8 % sRGB coverage. Ports include 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2.
BrandMSIPanel TypeVAResolution1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080pRefresh Rate48 Hz - 180 Hz
Key Highlights
- VA panel at 1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080p
- 48 Hz - 180 Hz refresh range
- 1 ms (MPRT) MPRT response time
- 3000 : 1 contrast ratio
- 300 cd/m² typical brightness
- 115.8 % sRGB colour coverage
- Connectivity: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.2
- 3 years standard limited warranty
Who Should Buy the MSI MAG 242C
+ Best For
Fast-paced gamers | 48 Hz
180 Hz gives real motion headroom for competitive play
Shared or public spaces
a security lock slot helps deter theft
Smoother-than-standard gaming | 48 Hz
180 Hz beats a basic 60 Hz display for everyday gaming
Wall or arm mounting
100 x 100 mm VESA pattern fits standard mounts
Bright-room use
anti-glare coating cuts window and lamp reflections
× Not Ideal For
Ergonomic-conscious buyers
the stand has no height adjustment; a VESA arm is the workaround
Sharp-text buyers
93 ppi / 36 ppcm is coarse for fine detail at typical desk distance
Docking setups
no USB-C or USB hub is included
Audio-light desks
there are no built-in speakers
Portrait-rotation users
the stand doesn’t swivel or pivot
Two-PC power users
no KVM switch is listed for sharing peripherals
Display Performance
Refresh Rate
48 Hz - 180 Hz
High-refresh gaming range
Brightness
300 cd/m²
Typical brightness as specified; peak figure not published
Contrast
3000 : 1
Strong VA dark-scene contrast
Colour Gamut
115.8 % sRGB
Standard game and web colour
Gaming Performance
Refresh Rate48 Hz - 180 HzHigh ceiling supports competitive frame rates
Response Time1 ms (MPRT) (MPRT)MPRT uses strobing and is not directly comparable to GtG
GPU Requirement1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080p up to 180 HzMid-to-high-end GPU recommended to approach the refresh ceiling
Connectivity & Ports
HDMI1x HDMI 2.0Published port count and version
DisplayPort1x DisplayPort 1.2Primary high-refresh PC connection
USB-CNot publishedNo one-cable laptop or charging function
USB HubNot publishedNo listed peripheral expansion
Audio Out3.5 mm audio out / headphone outExternal audio may still be preferred
Desk Fit & Ergonomics
Size / Footprint539 mm x 394.5 mm x 220.1 mm (W x H x D)Check desk width and depth before purchase
StandRemovable: YesA separate arm can replace the supplied base
VESA Mount100 x 100 mmUse a matching arm or wall mount
Tilt-5 ° to +20 °Covers the published forward and backward range
Height AdjustNoScreen height is fixed
Swivel / PivotNo swivel; No pivotMovement is limited by the supplied stand
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 3000 : 1 contrast is well above typical IPS panels
- 115.8 % sRGB coverage solid coverage for everyday colour accuracy
- Backed by 3 years standard limited warranty
- VA panel gives deeper native blacks than typical IPS panels
- 100 x 100 mm VESA mount compatibility works with third-party arms and stands
- Low blue light and/or flicker-free modes support longer viewing comfort
Cons
- Stand has no height adjustment
- Stand doesn’t swivel or pivot
- No USB-C or USB hub for peripheral connectivity
- No listed built-in speakers
- No KVM switch for controlling two PCs from one keyboard/mouse
- VA panels typically respond slower than IPS or OLED at the pixel level
Score & Ratings
6.6/10
Good
Model Information
12
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | MSI |
| Model | MAG 242C |
| Full Product Name | MSI MAG 242C |
| Model Year | 2025 |
| Monitor Type | Gaming Monitor |
| Market Position | Mainstream Gaming |
| Primary Use | Competitive & Immersive Gaming |
| Region / Variant | Global (regional SKU suffixes may vary, e.g. US/EU/APAC) |
| Launch Status | Available (2025 model-year, per manufacturer data) |
| Available Colors | Black |
| Warranty | 3 years standard limited warranty (MSI global policy; exact term/region may vary by country - see msi.com/page/warranty) |
| Burn-In Warranty | Not applicable (non-OLED panel) |
Display & Panel
11
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 23.6 in | |
| Exact Diagonal | 599 mm (23.58 in) | |
| Radius of Curvature | 1500 mm (59.06 in) | |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | |
| Active Display Width | 521.395 mm (20.53 in) | |
| Active Display Height | 293.284 mm (11.55 in) | |
| Display Area | 88.74 % | |
| Panel Type | VA | VA affects viewing angles, black depth and color consistency — each panel technology trades these off differently. |
| Backlight Type | W-LED | |
| 3D Support | No | |
| Screen Coating | Anti-glare/Matte |
Resolution & Pixel Details
3
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Native Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels / Full HD / 1080p | |
| Pixel Density | 93 ppi / 36 ppcm | 93 ppi / 36 ppcm indicates how much scaling may be needed in the operating system for comfortable reading. |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.272 mm (0.01 in) |
Picture Quality & Color
11
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Bit Depth | 10 bits (8 bits + FRC) | |
| FRC | Yes | |
| Display Colors | 1073741824 colors / 30 bits | |
| Typical Brightness | 300 cd/m² | |
| Static Contrast Ratio | 3000 : 1 | |
| Dynamic Contrast Ratio | 100000000 : 1 | |
| Horizontal Viewing Angle | 178 ° | |
| Vertical Viewing Angle | 178 ° | |
| sRGB Coverage | 115.8 % | 115.8 % indicates how much of that color space the panel can reproduce, which affects color accuracy for photo/video work. |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 91.5 % | |
| Adobe RGB Coverage | 89.9 % |
Refresh Rate, Response & Gaming
6
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Native Refresh Rate | 180 Hz |
| Refresh Rate Range | 48 Hz - 180 Hz |
| MPRT Response Time | 1 ms (MPRT) |
| Adaptive-Sync | Yes |
| AI Gaming Features | Yes |
| Console Mode | Yes |
Ports & Connectivity
8
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| HDMI Ports | 1 |
| HDMI Version | 2.0 |
| HDMI Bandwidth | 98.496 kHz - 392.4 kHz |
| HDMI CEC | Yes |
| DisplayPort Input | 1 |
| DisplayPort Version | 1.2 |
| Audio Output | 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Output | 3.5 mm Audio Out |
Audio, Camera, Network & Smart Features
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Built-In Camera | No |
Ergonomics & Stand
11
| Specification | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| VESA Mount | Yes | |
| VESA Size | 100 x 100 mm | |
| Removable Stand | Yes | |
| Height Adjustment | No | Not available on the stock stand; a VESA-mount arm is the usual workaround. |
| Tilt Adjustment | Yes | |
| Forward Tilt | 5 ° | |
| Backward Tilt | 20 ° | |
| Swivel Adjustment | No | |
| Portrait Mode | No | |
| Security Lock | Yes | |
| Anti-Theft Lock | Kensington Lock |
Dimensions, Weight & Design
4
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions With Stand | 539 mm x 394.5 mm x 220.1 mm (W x H x D) |
| Dimensions Without Stand | 539 mm x 319.7 mm x 70.2 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight With Stand | 3 kg (6.61 lbs) |
| Stand Depth | 220.1 mm (8.67 in) |
Power & Operating Conditions
5
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| 110V Input Range | 100 V - 120 V |
| 220V Input Range | 220 V - 240 V |
| AC Frequency | 50 Hz - 60 Hz |
| Sleep Consumption | 0.5 W |
| Off Consumption | 0.3 W |
Eye Care, Protection & Additional Features
5
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Flicker-Free | Yes |
| Low Blue Light | Yes |
| AI Visual | Yes |
| Anti-Theft Slot | Yes (Kensington lock slot) |
| Additional Monitor Features | AI Vision; Frameless Design; Game Assistance; HDR Ready; Wide Color Gamut |
Included Accessories
1
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| HDMI Cable | HDMI cable |
Packaging Information
5
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 640 mm x 410 mm x 140 mm (W x H x D) |
| Package Width | 640 mm (25.20 in) |
| Package Height | 410 mm (16.14 in) |
| Package Depth | 140 mm (5.51 in) |
| Package Weight | 4.8 kg (10.58 lbs) |
Reviews
DISPLAYINPUT · INDEPENDENT · SPEC-BASED · NO SPONSORED PLACEMENT
SHEET № MAG 242C