The Alienware AW2724DM is a strange proposition for some since it’s from a known premium brand with a budget-friendly price point. It competes in a very rough segment with value champions like the Gigabyte M27Q P, so it’s a steep climb to become a best seller. Let’s take a deeper look to gauge how it will perform in this market
Alienware AW2724DM Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180 Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- 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 2, HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB 3.2 x 3
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 24.07″ x 20.42″ x 9.6″
- Weight: 14.88 lbs
Design and Features
The Alienware AW2724DM has a simpler design than its predecessors, but it still looks like a premium variant. The monitor has a nice gunmetal finish, along with some AlienFX RGB lighting at the back. The display has a three-sided bezel-free design, but it still has minimal panel borders like most modern monitors.
It is not a gigantic monitor, but it can present an issue if you have a small desk with lots of other peripherals. The monitor needs almost ten inches of depth and is around 24 inches wide. It weighs in at around 15 pounds, so it shouldn’t be too heavy to move around when needed.
The monitor’s build quality is excellent, even if it was made to be a cheaper Alienware option. The plastics used are silky smooth yet thick and durable, plus there were no signs of cosmetic defects. The stand is firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake in the heat of battle.
The Alienware AW2724DM has a joystick under the Dell logo on the bottom bezel. We prefer this location since its not hard or awkward to reach and use. It’s also compatible with the brand’s software, so manipulating it to make the most out of its capabilities should be easy as peas.
The stand included in the package offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Its easy to get a comfortable viewing angle with the stock setup for those long gaming sessions. You can also use VESA mounts, but it is only necessary if space is an issue or if you have multiple displays on deck.
The Alienware AW2724DM has a unique layout like the Dell G2724D since it has two DisplayPort 1.4 slots and a single HDMI 2.1 port. The difference here is that you will also get USB 3.2 slots, as opposed to the Dell version, which only has video inputs. Both monitors do not have a 3.5mm jack, but that’s okay since those are seldom used anyway.
You also don’t get speakers with this model, although that’s also acceptable since its primary audience will most likely prefer headsets. They are better for immersion and focus, plus built-ins aren’t usually powerful enough for gaming and entertainment. It’s nice to have extras, but not if having them means that the price will be higher.
Display and Performance
The Alienware AW2724DM sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 limit, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1, like most IPS monitors. This model is certified for HDR 600, but it only has edge-lit local dimming with limited zones.
27-inch 1440p monitors are popular because they are considered to be the sweet spot of the monitor business. They are sharper and clearer than 1080p variants, but they are also easier on the eyes compared to 4K screens. They are more demanding on GPUs, but you don’t need a flagship card for amazing performance.
The Alienware AW2724DM covers 100% sRGB and 96% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. its also pre-calibrated from the factory, so the deltaE average out of the box is only at 1.66. Most users won’t have to do anything, although basic tweaks like adjusting the brightness will be essential.
Calibrating it with a colorimeter reduced the dE average to an excellent 0.45, making it suitable for editing work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to get the same results since copying settings or ICC profiles cannot guarantee it. We can only recommend the gadget if you are into color-critical work, but it’s pointless otherwise.
The Alienware AW2724DM’s backlight reached 401 cd/m2 in SDR, and it peaked up to 629 cd/m2 when its HDR mode is active. Its contrast wasn’t as impressive at 1043:1 at 30% brightness, plus the limited local dimming wasn’t enough to expand it. You need more zones for that to happen, and it usually isn’t available at this price range.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was decent since its backlight issues were minimal by default. However, the edge-lit local dimming feature affects that adversely since it adds clouding in some instances. Note that other units might have better results, but all of them will be susceptible to clouding when that HDR mode is active.
The Alienware AW2724DM’s pixel response time is fantastic when it’s running at its maximum refresh rate. Blurring is kept at a minimum, so most gamers will not notice them. We recommend its overdrive to be at its Extreme level when VRR is active, but you need to drop it down to its Fast level if you don’t use VRR.
The Alienware AW2724DM is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Its invaluable to have dual compatibility so you don’t have to buy a new monitor if you upgrade to the other GPU brand and would rather have VRR. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so it’s ideal for games like Valorant or CSGO.
Thoughts on the Alienware AW2724DM
The Alienware AW2724DM is an excellent choice if you want high-end performance at a lower price. It’s built nicely and has all the right features for a gaming monitor, so you are not getting a low-end product. Its panel is fast and vibrant, giving you the best image quality and performance possible at this price.
However, it is not perfect due to the poor HDR implementation, which would have made it the best in its class. Other options for the same amount do not have HDR 600, but it’s unusable for the most part anyway. There is some room for improvement, but we still think that it is an excellent buy for most gamers, including those who are into E-Sports.
Pros:
- Excellent Colors
- Great Build Quality and Design
- Affordable
- FreeSync and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Dismal HDR Performance and Low Contrast
- NO USB-C
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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