Skip to main content

A 500Hz refresh rate Alienware gaming monitor? Yes, please

Alienware has announced at CES 2023 the world’s fastest refresh rate gaming monitor with up to 500Hz refresh rate. If you thought 360Hz was already absurd, you’ll likely think 500Hz is downright ludicrous. One thing’s for sure — it’s about as fast as monitors get these days,

Don’t worry — if that speed doesn’t seem necessary, then the rest of its specs might.

Dell’s Alienware division has revealed a truly specced-out gaming-focused monitor that seems to have been made just to prove that it can. The AW2524H (updated from the AW2523H) offers a 500Hz refresh rate 1920 x 1080p IPS panel focused in a Legends 2.0 esports-inspired footprint and adjustability. Supporting that insane refresh rate is the low 0.5ms response time gray-to-gray (GtG) plus Nvidia G-Sync combo, which keeps on-screen action from tearing and ghosting.

Alienware AW2524H on desk.
Alienware

As Dell notes, the 25-inch size and 1080p resolution are still preferred by esports pros — and the refresh rates just can’t get fast enough. That might rule out the average gamer, who’s likely more interested in a more well-rounded gaming monitor.

Alienware also claims that the product is capable of 99% sRGB, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification (for increased color punch), and TUV-certified Low Blue Light (to reduce eye stress for those long gaming sessions).

Alienware AW2524H rear RGB with headset slider.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A gaming monitor would be remiss if it didn’t have RGB lighting. It’s customizable and is located in the Alienware head and numerals in the rear, and the power button at the bottom. Another cool feature is the slide-out headset cradle on the left side of the frame.

Now, the advertised refresh rate has a couple of caveats. 500Hz is only achievable by overclocking over a DisplayPort connection, otherwise, the monitor caps out at 480Hz native. When connected via HDMI, the refresh rate drops to 240Hz.

Alienware AW2524H front and rear view.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

And speaking of ports, the AW2524H has two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, four USB-A 3.2 (two downstream, one downstream/charging, one downstream with Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer), one USB-B 3.2 (upstream), a Kensington lock, and a 3.5mm audio port.

Alienware AW2524H stand on desk.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With sustainable packaging pretty much de rigueur nowadays, Alienware is boasting that the packaging the AW2524H ships in uses 75% recycled cardboard, or 50% less than previous methods. A quarter of the display’s stand and enclosure are made of 25% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastics. Going a step further, the carry handle is made of Ocean Bound Plastic. It’d be great to see more of the latter in future products.

Pricing is unknown at the time of writing, but availability in North America is expected to be March 2023.

Editors' Recommendations

Aaron Leong
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Aaron enjoys all manner of tech - from mobile (phones/smartwear), audio (headphones/earbuds), computing (gaming/Chromebooks)…
This surprise 480Hz QHD OLED gaming monitor just won CES
The Asus 480Hz OLED gaming monitor set up at a press event.

Well, I didn't see that one coming.

Asus may have brought the first true 480Hz OLED gaming monitor to CES 2024. The ROG Swift PG27AQDP is a 1440p resolution OLED monitor that comes with a staggering 480Hz refresh rate -- that alone tells you what you need to know about this beast.

Read more
Alienware’s new second-gen QD-OLED monitors are stunning
The Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED on a table with a game on the screen.

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED took the world by storm. As the first really great OLED gaming monitor, it had little in the way of competition.

But in 2024, that's not true. And to keep its lead, Alienware has launched two new QD-OLED gaming monitors that take things even further. There is now a 32-inch 4K model (AW3225QF) and a 27-inch QHD model (AW2725DF), both of which use the second-generation QD-OLED tech from Samsung Display. I got to see both models in person at a preview event ahead of CES 2024, and I came away extremely excited for these new gaming monitors.

Read more
This is a first for Alienware gaming laptops
The back of the Alienware m16 R2 on a table.

The Alienware m16 is only on its second generation, but the company is already hitting the reset button on the design. The m16 R2, announced at CES 2024, has both a redesigned chassis and reengineered thermals, plus one very notable feature never seen in an Alienware gaming laptop.

Most Alienware laptops have proudly featured a "thermal shelf" on the back, which purportedly helped with air ventilation and positioned the ports out of the way. The problem with the thermal shelf is the extra size it adds to the footprint of the laptop. It also adds a rather large bottom chin and hinge under the screen -- and sometimes results in a small palm rest and touchpad.

Read more