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Conclusion

Will we ever see the limit to how fast a monitor can refresh? Alienware’s promotional video talks about the limits of human perception, and after spending time with a 500 Hz monitor, I’m starting to see what that means. While it’s easy to say, “you can’t have too many frames per second,” there will be a point where higher rates won’t make a visual difference. I thought that might be true when 360 Hz monitors first appeared on my desk. However, I can now say that 500 Hz does make a visual improvement.

The AW2524H is clearly better than the 360 Hz screens I’ve reviewed. It’s not a huge difference, but when you’re going for every possible ounce/milligram of performance, this monitor delivers it. I didn’t see a big jump in motion clarity since 360 Hz is already fast enough to eliminate any need for blur reduction, overdrive or Adaptive-Sync. But with sustained frame rates over 450, the control response is quicker and better. Movement is more natural and efficient. It absolutely provide a competitive edge.

It would be easy to finish this review with, “The Alienware AW2524H runs at 500 Hz, what more do you need to know?” But it is much more than just a fast monitor. With greater color saturation and tremendous HDR contrast, it delivers a better image in all scenarios than any 360 Hz display I’ve reviewed. Since you’re looking at nearly double the price for that 500 Hz, I’m glad Alienware has made an effort to improve image quality. You’re getting a better picture all around.

The final consideration for purchasing an AW2524H are its system requirements. To explore its full potential, a PC with an RTX 4090 and a fast CPU is an absolute must. I only managed around 200fps with an RTX 3090 running Doom Eternal at full detail. With that system, a 500 Hz monitor is wasted. But if you’ve already spent the money on a bleeding-edge PC, the AW2524H is the way to maximize its potential. You can buy a high-end 4K screen and pack in the pixels, but the fastest you’ll go is 240 Hz if you buy Samsung’s Neo G8.

The Alienware AW2524H is a next-level gaming experience when paired with the proper hardware. Gamers seeking the highest possible frame rates should definitely check it out.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.