CES 2026: MSI introduces the MPG 272QRF X36, its first Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar monitor

MSI has officially launched the MPG 272QRF X36, a monitor developed in close partnership with Nvidia to spearhead the arrival of G‑Sync Pulsar technology. Aimed at the competitive gaming market, this 27‑inch Rapid IPS display pairs a native WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution with a 360Hz refresh rate. While high‑refresh displays are increasingly common in the competitive scene, the MPG 272QRF X36 distinguishes itself by finally unifying variable refresh rate (VRR) and backlight strobing without the traditional compromises of flickering or screen tearing

Nvidia’s G‑Sync Pulsar technology is what makes this possible. Historically, gamers had to choose between the stutter‑free experience of G‑Sync and the superior motion clarity of backlight strobing (ULMB). Pulsar eliminates this by using variable‑frequency backlight strobing to synchronise with the GPU’s fluctuating frame rate. By dividing the backlight into multiple horizontal sections and utilising a “rolling scan” technique, the monitor pulses the backlight for only 25% of each frame duration. This ensures pixels have time to stabilise before they are illuminated, resulting in what Nvidia claims is a fourfold improvement in motion clarity (240 FPS has the motion clarity of 960Hz).

Beyond raw speed, the MPG 272QRF X36 integrates several quality‑of‑life features for varying environments. The G‑Sync Ambient Adaptive system utilises an on‑board light sensor to monitor the user’s surroundings, automatically adjusting brightness and colour temperature to maintain optimal contrast while reducing eye strain. Competitive players who still prefer lower resolutions for performance reasons will also find value in the 25″ Mode simulation. This feature provides pixel‑perfect scaling for resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 960, allowing players to use a smaller windowed area with reduced interpolation artefacts or blur.

The monitor uses a Rapid IPS panel with 10‑bit colour support (8‑bit + FRC) and a peak brightness rating of 500 nits. Connectivity includes dual HDMI 2.1 ports and a DisplayPort 1.4a input. The display also supports user‑updatable firmware directly from Nvidia, allowing the G‑Sync module to receive performance optimisations post‑purchase. The MPG 272QRF X36 is priced at $649.99.

KitGuru says: Nvidia's G-Sync Pulsar is very promising. However, considering you're getting a 27-inch IPS panel when you could get a 27/32-inch 4K OLED monitor for the same price, potential buyers will have to evaluate if they really value motion clarity that much.

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