Alienware AW2524HF 500 Hz Gaming Monitor Review: Exotic Speed and Response

Alienware’s AW2524HF is a 25-inch FHD IPS gaming monitor with 500 Hz, Adaptive-Sync and HDR.

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Alienware AW2524HF
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(Image: © Tom's Hardware)

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The 500 Hz monitor category is a small one. And no wonder because they are exotic pieces of hardware. They are expensive, but you’ll need a premium video card to get the most from them. Even a GeForce RTX 4090 can’t sustain framerates in FHD resolution at 500 fps. But at 450 fps, the action has a smooth feel that can only be replicated by a 240 Hz OLED. And nothing else can boast the incredibly low input lag that comes with such a high frame rate.

(Image credit: Dell)

The Alienware AW2524HF is the second 500 Hz monitor I’ve reviewed, and it represents a value option if one can say that $650 is a good deal compared to $820. That $170 buys you more HDR contrast and a G-Sync module with Nvidia’s Latency Analyzer, and the lowest input lag I’ve ever measured. But I found no reason to spend the extra cash when it comes to actual gameplay.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The AW2524HF presents an excellent image with more color volume than its Alienware counterpart and other premium 360 Hz monitors. And it makes a solid HDR effort with 4,400:1 contrast and accurate color. SDR contrast is a nice 1,200:1, and calibration is not required. Video processing is matched only by the AW2524H. Panel response and input lag times are so low that they don’t register visually.

So, if the lowest possible input lag is your goal, an AW2524HF and GeForce RTX 4090 are the best way to achieve that. If the smoothest possible moving image is more important to you, check out a 240 Hz OLED like AOC’s AG276QZD.

In the realm of the exotic, the Alienware AW2524HF is matched only by the AW2524H. If you want to save a few bucks, it’s a great choice.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test PC Monitors

MORE: How to Buy a PC Monitor

MORE: How to Choose the Best HDR Monitor

Christian Eberle
Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

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.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Sluggotg
    When the early First Person Shooters showed up, (Doom, Rise of the Triad, Descent etc.), 10 FPS was considered playable. 24 FPS was thought to be perfect because that is the Frame Rate of Film. Then the hardware caught up and we saw what 60 FPS looked like. That was a "Game Changer", (Pun intended).

    I love a high frame rates. 144 FPS is great. Do I need 500 FPS, not likely, but I do want to try it. My only complaint is the size. I wish it was bigger.
    Reply
  • Kamen Rider Blade
    My main issue is that it's using IPS for 500 Hz VRR.

    IPS doesn't have the pixel reaction time to support 500 Hz w/o ghosting.

    It's not like OLED or classic CRT.

    Yes, you can OC the panel to support it, but there will be issues with it.
    Reply
  • Sleepy_Hollowed
    Kamen Rider Blade said:
    My main issue is that it's using IPS for 500 Hz VRR.

    IPS doesn't have the pixel reaction time to support 500 Hz w/o ghosting.

    It's not like OLED or classic CRT.

    Yes, you can OC the panel to support it, but there will be issues with it.
    I don't know about 500 Hz, but it works pretty good up to 160 Hz, no ghosting.

    I'd imagine that's imperceptible at those refresh rates, but I'd have to see it in person.
    Reply
  • UnforcedERROR
    Sluggotg said:
    My only complaint is the size. I wish it was bigger.

    Whose Line is it Anyway moment: Comments your girlfriend might say about you or your TV.

    Joking aside, 25" at 1080p is about all you'd ever want, really. Unless you're gaming at a considerable difference, I'd never personally recommend a monitor larger than 25" if it's 1080p, because the pixel density is pretty low up close. I mean, the 500hz is because it's at 1080p, and this is mostly for diehard FPS players, but I'd still prefer lower refresh for higher pixel density.
    Reply