The MSI MAG CH130 X gaming chair is the latest addition to the company's growing line of gaming gear, and there is nothing special about it that sets it apart from the ever-growing pack of chairs, such as the piston-activated lumbar found on the Razer Iskur. Instead, it follows the design of racing chairs that are now ubiquitous. Frankly, unless you play the game in a racing car, this design doesn't make much sense.

But I digress; MSI still managed to create one of the better looking, dare I say "premium" gaming chairs. It's upholstered in black leather and soft black velvet on both sides, with sexy white pipe stitching.

The white MSI Dragon logo stands out proudly against the black, and two carbon-fiber-like strips on the back give the chair a more racy look. However, as much as I like the velvet finish, there are a surprising number of crumbs and dust. I worry about how long it will last.

The same carbon fiber finish is applied to the lumbar and neck cushions, and the MSI logo is etched in black instead of white. There is something about the all-black finish that makes the product look cool.

What is not so sweet, however, are the plastic armrests, which are in marked contrast to the chair's other qualities. The armrests rattle badly and have only a slight range of motion, up, down, left, and right, a far cry from the 4D armrests used in most modern gaming chairs.

Speaking of range of motion, the CH130 X is a perfect recliner; the seat tilts 15 degrees and can be lowered back up to 150 degrees. This means, in theory, that one can snooze in the chair between games or during work. And since the chair can support a maximum weight of 150 kg, I could lay down my bony 70 kg body and not worry about the chair breaking.

The chair's adaptable height is 165-185 cm, but at 190 cm I am just outside that range. It took a few days for the CH130 X to adjust to the cushions, but once it did, it was much more comfortable. I had a hard time finding a really comfortable position.

The lumbar pillow is not curved to fit my spine, but rather boxy, making it difficult to fit the small of my back. Also, because I am tall, I have to keep pushing the neck pillow up, otherwise my shoulders push out and my posture becomes even worse. I prefer the Razer Iskur's built in adjustable lumbar. It's not perfect, but it's certainly more flexible than a single pillow.

That said, the cushion is not glued to the chair, and I'm sure you can find a lumbar pillow on the aftermarket that does a better job. The cushion attaches to the backrest using a clasp that goes through a notch in the seat, making it easy to adjust its position. These complaints notwithstanding, I have been sitting in this chair for 12 hours and have had very few complaints from my back.

Assembly of the chair was surprisingly easy and did not require a second person; MSI wisely sent me the main seat, backrest, and arms already mounted in the box. All that remained was to install the stand, pistons, and levers, which was very easy, with very clear instructions and the necessary Allen wrenches provided. It probably took less than 20 minutes to assemble, so it's perfect for someone who doesn't like to tinker.

Priced at $350, the MAG CH130 X is a great gaming chair, but aside from the design flourishes, there is nothing outstanding about it. It could easily be mistaken for any other gaming chair out there. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does put MSI in a bit of a bind. In addition, more and more brands are moving away from the standard racing-char vibe to true ergonomic designs.

However, not everyone can afford the more expensive Razer Iskur or Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody. Also, be sure to check out our guide to the best gaming chairs.