The Alienware AW2725QF is the ideal premium monitor for most gamers because of its unique dual-resolution capability. The ability to choose between higher a resolution or refresh rate is well suited for gamers often play both E-Sports and triple-A titles. Let’s take a closer look to know if this is the suitable upgrade for the coming holidays.
Alienware AW2725QF Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD/1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz/360Hz
- Response Time: 0.5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 400 cd/m2 (600 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4a x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD65W x 1, USB 3.2 x 3, USB-C Downstream x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 24.07″ x 20.42″ x 9.60″
- Weight: 15.76 lb
Design and Features
The Alienware AW2725QF uses the simpler aesthetic some of its siblings have, but it still looks quite good compared to other products. The monitor has the dark gunmetal finish which the brand called Dark Side of the Moon along some RGB LEDs at the back. The screen has thinner bezels, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
The packaging and assembly for this monitor are quite simple since everything is laid out in a neat clamshell box. You only need to take the base, hand-screw it into the stand, and then snap it into the chassis to get it upright. The small black box in it has some documents and an alien logo sticker you can use however you see fit.
No tools will be necessary as usual, so even beginners can handle this package while following the included picture guide. The base, stand, and cabinet can be assembled together in under five minutes. It’s a big difficult to plug the cables into down-firing ports, but you can simply rotate the screen for easy insertion.
Its build quality is fantastic, just like with most Alienware monitors we’ve handled in the past. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, and there were no signs of cosmetic issues. The included stand is robust and steady, so there is no sagging or wobbling of any kind.
The Alienware AW2725QF has an OSD joystick for easy access to its many settings and most important, its dual resolution capability. It gives the user quick access to most settings, but pressing up will reveal the OSD of the monitor. Other models have remotes, but a single yet functional tool is all most of us will need for daily operations.
The AW2725QF’s package includes cables for DisplayPort, HDMI, power, and a USB-A to USB-B for data upstream. This allows you to fully utilize the monitor with a gaming PC or a 4K 120Hz console. Note that the USB upstream cable is necessary if you want to use the built-in USB 3.2 type-A slots for peripherals like keyboards and mice.
The monitor’s connectivity layout is a bit better than what most gaming monitors have to offer. You get DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots for video inputs, although only the former can support the full 4K 180Hz or 1080p 360Hz outputs. You also get a USB layout at the back and a hub with the type-C at the front, although it doesn’t support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
We feel that type-C ports with DP Alt Mode should now be a staple for most modern monitors. The main characteristic the Alienware AW2725QF is trying to offer is flexibility, so adding functionality for work laptops would be the cherry on top. However, it is perfect for a dedicated gaming display since it can handle most gaming systems and their outputs.
Another extra that’s missing from it is the panel covers for the I/O layouts of the OLED models. The ports on this monitor are laid out in a different way so its understandable, but we really liked how those worked for cable management.
The Alienware AW2725QF also doesn’t have speakers, but that’s acceptable since it deserves a great gaming headset. They would be better for focus and immersion which are both essential for competitive and casual gaming. You even get a headset hanger that pops out of the monitor’s side so you can neatly stow your cans when they aren’t in use.
Display and Performance
The Alienware AW2725QF boasts a 27-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms response time. It can also be switched to 1920 x 1080 resolution but with a higher 360Hz overclocked refresh rate. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 typical output while the contrast is listed at 1000:1.
Note that the 180Hz 4K and 360Hz 1080p outputs are only made possible with the monitor’s overclocking features. The monitor is limited to 4K 165Hz and 1080p 330Hz without it, but that’s still plenty for most gaming purposes. The overclock can be easily activated in the OSD, so its not something that will take tweaks to achieve.
This monitor is HDR 600 certified, so its way brighter than most gaming monitors. However, it still has an edge-lit local dimming feature, so it can’t expand its contrast. Activating the monitor actually dropped the contrast, so its mostly unusable in our eyes.
Plugging the Alienware AW2725QF into our custom built PC didn’t have any hiccups, but it did not start with the overclocked refresh rate. Activating it the first time put it out of sync so it went to a black screen, but that’s probably because another 4K 160Hz monitor was plugged into our GPU. We didn’t run into the issue if it was the only monitor plugged.
The Alienware AW2725QF covered 98% of sRGB and 79% of DCI-P3, so it’s not the most vibrant in Alienware’s lineup. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.5, so it’s decently accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to do anything apart from turning off the HDR modes for better contrast and dropping the brightness.
Calibrating it improved the color accuracy to 0.5, making it usable for editing work and content creation. The downside is you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results since it will guide you in fine-tuning the monitor. However, the additional purchase isn’t necessary if you are only gaming since the default setting is already reasonable for it.
The Alienware AW2725QF’s maximum brightness reached 495 cd/m2, while its contrast reached 1008:1 at 61%. It cannot produce true HDR effects, but that’s obvious, considering that it is not equipped with a special backlight. That’s less of a focus for this specific model, but it would have been nice if it had that capability.
The biggest issue we saw on the test sample is its dismal panel uniformity. All sides of the panel had a noticeable difference from the center. The screen had a halo of backlight variance surrounding the panel, although it wasn’t noticeable in some instances. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The Alienware AW2725QF’s pixel response time is fantastic whether if its in 4K or 1080p mode. Leaving the overdrive in its Fast mode (default) is your best bet for both resolutions. Its great for all types of games, although the 360Hz output feels better when you are playing games like Valorant.
The Alienware AW2725QF is a G-Sync gaming monitor, but its also compatible with FreeSync like its OLED siblings. Dual compatibility is nice to have since it allows you to keep the monitor and its VRR even if you switch to the other GPU brand. Its lowest input lag sits at 3ms, making it highly suitable for competitive play.
Thoughts on the Alienware AW2725QF
The Alienware AW2725QF is a fantastic choice since its practical beyond description. It works great for both immersive and competitive gaming, and its priced like a true middle ground in a continuously growing monitor market. It carries necessary features, and its built like a high-end display based on its overall physical quality.
There is still room for improvement with this monitor. Its panel and control might be unique, but it lags behind when it comes to color quality and uniformity. Its contrast and HDR performance also leave a lot to be desired, unlike its OLED counterparts. However, the Alienware AW2725QF is an excellent choice for most gamers since it bridges the gap between competitive and immersive play.vv
Pros:
- Excellent Default and Calibrated Accuracy
- Fast Dual Resolution Performance
- HDMI 2.1
- Reasonable Price
Cons:
- Poor Uniformity
- Weak HDR
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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