The Alienware AW2524H is the first gaming monitor to offer an impressive 500Hz refresh rate, making it a top pick for E-Sports gaming. It utilizes Fast IPS technology, unlike the 540Hz PG248QP, which went back to TN for its speed and motion clarity. It’s far from a budget model, so let’s take a closer look to know if it is worth the investment.
Alienware AW2524H Specifications
- Screen Size: 25 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 500Hz
- Response Time: .5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 5, 3.5mm Jack x 2
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.9” x 15.4” x 9.6”
- Weight: 14.99 lbs
Design and Features
The Alienware AW2524H adopts the simpler design the brand uses on monitors like the AW2724DM instead of the popular Lunar Light aesthetic. This model has a matte black finish, so it looks more discrete. The display doesn’t have bezels, but it still has an inner border and a thicker bottom strip.
The monitor is packaged like any Dell monitor in the standard clamshell layout. You will find cables for DP to USB-C, DP to DP, and one for USB upstream. It also has a small Alienware box with a metallic alien head logo sticker inside alongside some documentation for the product.
It also has AlienFX lighting at the back and the power button on the front. It’s all RGB-capable, meaning you can change colors and themes within the OSD. Your adjustments can be made via the monitor’s menus, or you can simply download the AlienFX app from the official website.
It’s not an oversized monitor by today’s standards, so it should fit on most desks, including the compact ones. It needs less than 10 inches of depth and is 22 inches wide, so it shouldn’t displace most of your peripherals. When fully assembled with cables, the device weighs 14.99 pounds, so it is possible to lug it around with you to a gaming event or a LAN party.
It’s a premium model, so it won’t disappoint when it comes to build quality. The monitor itself is built like a tank and is free from defects or weaknesses, so it should last a while before it deteriorates. The stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t wobble or sag while you are in the middle of an intense session.
The Alienware AW2524H has an OSD joystick just below the Alienware logo on the bottom bezel. It is great that you don’t have to lean it to access it, making tweaks on the fly quicker and more convenient. It also has a headset hanger on the left of the screen, which pops in and out for your convenience.
Its stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Getting a comfortable viewing angle is essential for extended hours of use to save your eyes and neck from strain. You can use VESA mounts, but it is not necessary unless you have multiple screens on deck.
The monitor’s connectivity layout has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a total of four USB 3.0 slots at the back and on the bottom bezel. It’s a native G-Sync model, but it is not limited in this regard like the older variants that had the exclusive FPGA module.
Display and Performance
The Alienware AW2524H boasts a 25-inch Fast IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 500Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms minimum response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS panels. This model has DisplayHDR 400 certification, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to measurable and discernable HDR performance.
The AW2524H loaned to use did not instantly go up to its 500Hz maximum output once plugged in. Nvidia Control Panel showed only up to 480Hz, and the screen blacked out and de-synced when we activated that. It turns out that you have to activate the monitor’s 500Hz overclock and deactivate the standard preset for it to release from its power-saving mode.
That’s a minor inconvenience, but it is noteworthy for this test since it can make some owners worry about the monitor’s integrity. It may have been a fluke as well since we only used a single newly built gaming PC to test this product.
1080p monitors are not attractive for those who are after eye candy, but they are valuable for high-FPS gameplay. It is easy to get higher framerates with numerous GPUs on them, so they are primarily used now for competitive gaming. You won’t need a flagship card to reach 500 FPS, but a top-end processor with maybe an overclock might be necessary since games can become CPU-bound at 1080p.
The Alienware AW2524H covers 100% sRGB and 84% DCI-P3 for decent color saturation in most applications. It is not the most vibrant out there, but that’s expected from panels with extra high refresh rates. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.12, so users won’t need to calibrate it for a balanced appearance.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.4, putting it next to some prosumer monitors in that regard. You will need a colorimeter to achieve comparable results, and those are not expensive. We can’t recommend it for a gaming model like this since it is already too expensive and specific for its intended purpose, but it’s ideal if you do color-critical work.
Its backlight reached 393 cd/m2 at 100%, but it peaked at 469 cd/m2 when its HDR was active. Its contrast reached 1010:1 at 43% brightness, so it’s not great on black or dark backgrounds. This was expected coming from an IPS panel, and it is detrimental to the monitor’s HDR performance.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no backlight leaks on any of its parts. The edge-lit local dimming did introduce some issues when it was working since each of its limited zones covers a larger-than-ideal area. It is best to turn off the HDR mode due to this issue since the panel looks better and even better without it.
The Alienware AW2524H’s main strength is its fantastic response time, which doesn’t show any level of blurring. Leaving its overdrive at the Fast setting is ideal since it doesn’t add overshoot while keeping minor persistence at bay. Pushing beyond that will induce overshoot, so it is highly unnecessary even if you play competitive games like CSGO.
The Alienware AW2524H is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, even if it has native compatibility for the latter. Dual compatibility is essential now, especially for expensive displays like this, since it saves you from having to buy a new one if you switch to another GPU brand. Its input lag is just under 2ms, making it one of the fastest monitors you can buy for gaming.
Thoughts on the Alienware AW2524H
The Alienware AW2524H is a fantastic gaming monitor for competitive play, thanks to its unnaturally high refresh rate and response time. It’s blur and lag-free, so it is perfect for serious gamers who want to eliminate every vulnerability in their systems to help guarantee victory. It is designed well and has a decent number of features, so it should satisfy your requirements for a pro-grade E-Sports battle station.
Our only complaint here is its high price, but that’s natural for a pioneering monitor. Its only natural competitor is the Asus PG248QP, but that’s even more expensive. Overall, it is an excellent choice if you want the benefits of IPS and the fastest gaming performance today.
Pros:
- Fastest IPS Gaming Monitor
- Excellent Color Quality
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
- Robust Design and Features
Cons:
- Expensive for 1080p
About the Author: Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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