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The game consoles of today are pretty cool. They can make Ultra HD graphics with HDR and wide gamut color at 120 frames per second. But they don’t show the best possible level of performance. Speed and response time are more important than anything else, even the number of pixels on the screen, for any serious esports player. Only a 360 Hz screen will do for competitive gaming, especially at the pro level.
The best gaming monitors have a lot of options, but they tend to be pricey. It’s hard to imagine paying $650 for a 25-inch FHD screen. Alienware has a different option, though. The Alienware AW2523HF has all the features of a premium screen, like a 360 Hz IPS panel, AMD FreeSync, and Nvidia G-Sync, but it only costs $450. Nowadays, that sounds like a great deal, and a Dell monitor or Alienware coupon might make it even better.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Design
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Because it has a simpler design than its predecessors, the Alienware AW2523HF is easier to match with themed setups. Since the monitor’s frame is matte black, it doesn’t stand out as much as earlier Alienware models did. Even though the display has no bezels on three sides, you may still be able to see some inner borders if you look closely enough.
The fact that the product’s overall size has shrunk when it’s all put together is also a big plus. It’s not a big display. Now, you only need 9.6 inches of depth, while some versions have bases and stands that are huge. It weighs 12.2 pounds, which is light enough to carry to sports games or LAN parties with your friends. You can buy this gaming monitor from its official website.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Features
The Alienware AW2523HF from Dell is a 25-inch, 1080p monitor for gaming that has a refresh rate of 360Hz. It replaces the Dell Alienware AW2521HF, which had 240Hz, and is similar to the Dell Alienware AW2521H, which has G-SYNC built in. It has all the features you’d expect from a gaming monitor, like native FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility.
It also has a few extra gaming modes that let you use night vision or add a virtual crosshair that your system can’t see, giving you an advantage in games. A comfortable stand and a USB hub with four USB-A ports are also included.
Alienware AW2523HF review: RGB lightning
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The FHD resolution of the Alienware AW2523HF’s IPS panel works with the sRGB color gamut. That doesn’t matter because there isn’t yet a 360 Hz display that covers the DCI-P3 standard. I checked the sRGB volume, which was around 108%, meaning there is a lot of color.
With a contrast ratio close to 1,200:1, the panel is slightly better than average contrast, which is good for IPS screens. Three HDR modes and a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification support HDR10 signals, but the HDR picture won’t blow you away.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Refresh Rate
The Dell AW2523HF has a high maximum refresh rate, but it can only show 8-bit colors and can only be used with a DisplayPort connection. Because of this, there will be more banding, but you can still get the most out of the monitor. Whether you use an HDMI cable connection or a 10-bit signal, the refresh rate is limited by how much bandwidth you have.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Performance
The FHD resolution of the Alienware AW2523HF’s IPS panel works with the sRGB color gamut. That doesn’t matter because there isn’t yet a 360 Hz display that covers the DCI-P3 standard. I checked the sRGB volume, which was around 108%, meaning there is a lot of color.
With a contrast ratio close to 1,200:1, the panel is slightly better than average contrast, which is good for IPS screens. Three HDR modes and a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification support HDR10 signals, but the HDR picture won’t blow you away.
Gamers choose 360 Hz monitors because the way they handle video is like the performance of an expensive sports car. When the frame rate is 300 or higher, there is no motion blur, so adaptive-sync is not needed. Compared to 240 Hz panels, these panels are smoother and respond faster. 144 Hz? Yes, I do remember that critics like me said the same thing about these monitors when they were first introduced. Now, though, 360 Hz is the highest.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Gaming
Since this is the case, Alienware has been busy in the gaming industry lately. Dell seems to be very serious about the gaming business. We’ve seen brand-new M series laptops that look great, and a few years ago, we tested one of their Auroura towers. Now we have something that is even more special. The AW2523HF, their brand-new gaming monitor, has a refresh rate of 360Hz. You probably already guessed that we’ll talk about it in today’s video, and you’re right.
With the stand in its lowest position, the Alienware AW2523HF is 39 cm tall, 24 cm deep, which is about the base plate size, and 56 cm wide, which is the size of the screen with its very thin bezels. If the full height of the stand is used, the rise is about 56 cm. You can tilt, swivel, and rotate the device to make the screen have a vertical aspect ratio. But I have to say that the stand is pretty strong. It differs from the slim, stylish stands made for work monitors and even from the thin legs of the previous AOC gaming line.
Alienware AW2523HF review: Conclusion
The Dell AW2523HF is a strong laptop for gamers. With a fast refresh rate of 360Hz and a resolution of 1080p, you can play games at a high frame rate while putting less stress on your graphics card. It has a good response time, so motion looks smooth, and it works with FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC to reduce screen tearing. Low contrast means that blacks look gray in the dark, which is terrible for gaming in dark places.
Alienware AW2523HF Rating