CONS

• No headphone jack
• Still a pricey prospect

ALIENWARE 500HZ GAMING MONITOR (AW2524HF) SPECS

Earlier this year, we acquired Alienware’s groundbreaking 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524H), which was the first of its kind. Although it performed admirably, we did have a few reservations about it, particularly its steep price and limited appeal. However, a few months later, a revised version of this esports-oriented monitor has made its way to PC Labs. The Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524HF) now boasts a reduced down from the original AW2524H), features AMD FreeSync Premium instead of Nvidia G-Sync, and includes an additional DisplayPort connector for enhanced data transfer. This time, the price is much more reasonable, and while it remains a monitor targeted at a niche group of PC gamers, if you happen to be part of that demographic, you’ll be treated to one of the fastest monitors currently available. Just ensure that your PC hardware is compatible to fully capitalize on its capabilities.

A Monitor Refreshed at 500Hz.

The AW2524HF, the new Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor, bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the AW2524H, and this is certainly not a negative aspect. This 24.5-inch monitor showcases the same sleek and futuristic design as other Alienware products. The hexagon stand, which is back again, is particularly suitable for gamers with compact keyboards who prefer to position their boards directly against the monitor. Additionally, the monitor’s left side conceals a retractable headphone hanger, providing a convenient spot to hang your preferred gaming headset for easy accessibility. However, the AW2524HF does make some omissions. Notably, the AlienFX RGB lighting that adorned the back of the AW2524H is absent in this model.

The dimensions of the AW2524HF are consistent, measuring 12.9 by 21.8 by 3.3 inches (HWD) without the stand. It also weighs 15 pounds with the stand, making it relatively lightweight. Its compact size is even smaller than the MSI Oculux NXG253R, making it a great choice for gamers looking to optimize their gaming setup.

The monitor’s port hub offers a variety of connectivity options. It includes one HDMI 2.1 port, two USB-A connectors, a USB-B port, a security lock, and a notable addition of two DisplayPort jacks. To fully utilize the screen’s impressive 500Hz refresh rate, a DisplayPort connection is required, as HDMI 2.1 ports are limited to 240Hz. Below the screen, there are two additional USB-A ports conveniently located next to the screen’s control stick. However, one noticeable omission in this refresh is the absence of the AW2524H’s headphone jack.

The AW2524H monitor differs from this monitor in one final aspect, which is the incorporation of AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA Adaptive Sync certification. In contrast, the previous model exclusively supports Nvidia G-Sync. Both technologies share a common objective of eradicating screen tearing resulting from varying frame rates. However, the dissimilarity lies in their compatibility with your computer’s GPU. While AMD FreeSync Premium is optimized for AMD hardware, it is also compatible with Nvidia GPUs.

The monitor utilizes a Fast IPS display, enabling it to achieve low response times and a wider color gamut compared to regular IPS monitors. With its 500Hz full HD (1,080-by-1,920-pixel) resolution, it offers enhanced visual clarity. Moreover, it has upgraded from VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification to HDR10 certification, further enhancing its display capabilities.

Evaluating the Alienware 500Hz (AW2524HF): A Familiar Display Experience.

The Alienware 500Hz prioritizes performance over resolution, however, when investing a significant amount of money, it is essential to ensure that picture quality is not compromised. In order to identify any potential issues, we conduct tests on color gamut, brightness, color accuracy, and contrast ratio using our Calman monitor calibration software, Murideo Six-G signal generator, and Klein K-80 colorimeter.

In its default picture mode, our initial test evaluates the monitor’s brightness over an SDR signal. The AW2524HF achieved 360 nits of brightness, just under its 400-nit rating and the previous model’s 381 nits. Despite this, it remains sufficiently bright for a gaming environment. To assess peak HDR brightness, we conducted the VESA DisplayHDR compliance tests, which can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft Store. The AW2524HF registered 435 nits in this test.

In its default picture mode, our first assessment examines the monitor’s brightness over an SDR signal. The AW2524HF achieved 360 nits of brightness, slightly below its 400-nit rating and the older model’s 381 nits. Nevertheless, it still provides ample brightness for a gaming setup. To determine peak HDR brightness, we utilized the VESA DisplayHDR compliance tests, which are accessible for free on the Microsoft Store. In this evaluation, the AW2524HF displayed 435 nits.

In terms of color-gamut coverage, the AW2524HF monitor achieved a full 100% coverage of the sRGB color gamut, 81% coverage of Adobe RGB, and 84% coverage of DCI-P3. These readings are commendable and almost indistinguishable from those of the previous model.

The color accuracy of both monitors was also comparable. The AW2524HF had a Delta E of 1.8 (while the AW2524H measured 1.5). A higher Delta E indicates a greater deviation from the intended colors. Ideally, a value below 1 is preferred, but most gaming monitors typically have a Delta E closer to 2, particularly with default settings.

Ultimately, we examine the contrast ratio, which showcases the variance in brightness between the brightest white and darkest black that a monitor is capable of displaying. This factor significantly impacts the overall picture quality, particularly in dimly lit scenes during gaming sessions. The AW2524HF displayed a contrast ratio of 935:1 with a black level of 0.23, aligning closely with the static contrast ratio of 1,000:1 promoted on the monitor’s official website, and showing minimal deviation from the previous model’s 840:1 ratio.

Game Performance

The audience that Alienware is targeting is primarily concerned with input lag and frame rates, rather than brightness and color measurements. In essence, the refresh rate plays a crucial role in determining the frame rate ceiling, and a higher refresh rate results in a smoother picture on your screen. This distinction is particularly noticeable in fast-paced shooter games, where speed and accuracy are of utmost significance.

However, it is essential to have the appropriate input in order to achieve those incredibly high refresh rates. Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly examine your personal setup to ensure that your GPU, CPU, and RAM are capable of handling exceptionally high frame rates that fully utilize the capabilities of the Alienware system. In our practical game testing, we utilized an NZXT Player: Three desktop PC equipped with an Intel Core i7-13700KF, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti, and 32GB of RAM to run Rainbow Six: Siege.