You’ve been hunting for the right gaming monitor.
There are so many different brands and models, each of which has special features.
Don’t worry about making the wrong choice. Dell Alienware has designed the AW2521H with your specific needs in mind. So whatever you want, they’ve got it.
The Dell Alienware AW2521H monitor has a very high-end design and builds, with a very impressive specification and feature list. It has a 25-inch display and offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and an aspect ratio of 16:10. With its 1920×1080 resolution and 360Hz screen, the monitor offers a high-end gaming experience, and the AW2521H will be a great addition to any PC build. It also features an onboard OSD and backlight, making it a very user-friendly device. These features make it a great choice for anyone who wants to work with a lot of detail while still having a crisp, bright display.
The Dell Alienware AW2521H is a high-performance gaming monitor that delivers exceptional speed, responsiveness, and immersive visuals. Designed with gaming enthusiasts in mind, this monitor offers a blazing-fast refresh rate, low response time, and vibrant colors. In this comprehensive review, we will explore the features, performance, and overall suitability of the Dell Alienware AW2521H for gamers seeking a competitive edge.
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Introduction
The Dell Alienware AW2521H is a 25-inch gaming monitor that boasts a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. With its 16:9 aspect ratio and IPS panel technology, the monitor provides a vibrant and immersive gaming experience. The sleek design and customizable AlienFX lighting add a touch of style to your gaming setup, creating an atmosphere of gaming excellence.
REASONS TO BUY
✓360Hz refresh rate.
✓Exceptionally low input lag.
✓Incredible response time.
✓Native G-SYNC support.
REASONS TO AVOID
✗Low contrast ratio.
Screen Size
The Alienware AW2521H monitor is built for professional gamers. It offers incredible response time, low input lag, and a fast IPS panel. In addition, it features NVIDIA’s Ultra Low Motion Blur technology. This will reduce motion blur and help you play games more smoothly.
The Alienware AW2521H has a 25-inch IPS panel. IPS technology allows the screen to be extremely bright and display accurate colors. However, the panel produces backlight strobing, a common feature of LCD displays. Backlight strobing reduces brightness.
Dell Alienware AW2521H has an extremely small bezel. When viewed sideways, the monitor’s bezel is only 15mm wide. There is a large Alienware logo on the bottom of the monitor.
The display has a resolution of 1920×1080 Full HD, which is not too demanding for a PC. It is rated to 400 cd/m2 of peak brightness. While the panel is not as vibrant as other displays, it provides decent viewing angles.
It is also compatible with HDR10. Because of the IPS panel, the screen does not show ghosting and lacks a color shift.
The Alienware AW2521H is available in two colorways. One of them is the Lunar Light version. Each colorway has a distinctive Alienware identity.
You can customize the RGB LEDs on the monitor’s display. These can be set to your liking in the AlienFX application.
The monitor’s stand has an ergonomic design with a wide v-shaped base. As a result, the stand is stable when you are gaming. The stand also has an adjustable pivot and height.
The AW2521H’s stand is compatible with a 100x100mm VESA mount. It also includes an on-screen display joystick. With the joystick, you can easily adjust the sensitivity of the display’s brightness.
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Refresh Rate
The Dell Alienware AW2521H is a 25-inch display with an IPS panel with a Full HD 1920×1080 resolution. This panel can have a 360Hz maximum refresh rate, a 178-degree viewing angle, and an average brightness of 400 nits.
One of the best features of the Alienware AW2521H is its ultra-low motion blur technology (ULMB). Using this feature reduces the perceived motion blur of the monitor, making it an excellent choice for gaming.
Its IPS panel delivers a smooth and stutter-free response time. An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the image brightness depending on the room lighting. During gaming, the AW2521H’s backlight is flicker-free.
Another great feature of the Alienware AW2521H’s IPS panel is its wide viewing angles. The monitor’s 178-degree angle is ideal for widescreen applications such as streaming videos or watching movies. In addition, the Alienware AW2521H’s screen has a 99% SRGB color gamut.
With its high resolution, full-color picture, and lightning-fast response, the AW2521H is a fantastic gaming monitor. However, its price tag is prohibitive to many gamers.
The AW2521H is G-Sync compatible. However, this is not a standard feature and can only be enabled on the monitor at a fixed refresh rate. You’ll need a graphics card with G-Sync support to use G-Sync with this monitor.
Other than the lack of G-Sync, the AW2521H is mediocre when it comes to input lag. Although the monitor’s input lag is under 2ms, it’s not as fast as the other premium monitors on the market.
Lastly, the AW2521H’s IPS screen has a low contrast ratio. Despite the low contrast, the monitor’s IPS panel produces good colors.
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Display Resolution Maximum
The Dell Alienware AW2521H is a premium gaming monitor. With a 25-inch IPS panel, it has an incredible response time. It also features G-SYNC and a wide viewing angle. Combined with its excellent ergonomics, this is a great monitor for fast-paced games.
The AW2521H has a ‘Fast IPS’ panel, which provides brighter colors. However, it has a limited contrast ratio and is not the sharpest monitor in its class.
It is possible to increase the monitor’s refresh rate by configuring the display. However, it should be noted that this feature will not work with AMD FreeSync. Instead, a better solution would be to purchase a monitor with a G-SYNC module that allows you to set the refresh rate.
The AW2521H’s backlight can be configured to strobe, a feature that mimics the action of an OLED. This helps with black frame insertion, but it prevents the use of FreeSync.
The display has a maximum refresh rate of 360Hz. Combined with its low input lag, the AW2521H is great for fast-paced games.
The monitor is also equipped with a Reflex Latency Analyzer. This tool measures the real-time frame rates of the screen and the input latency.
This feature is an option in AW2521H’s OSD menu. In addition, a ‘ComfortView’ preset mode reduces blue light emissions and provides a warm white point.
Despite its shortcomings, the AW2521H is a very good all-around gaming monitor. It has a low contrast ratio, but it still delivers sharp visuals. Also, the monitor has a very high refresh rate, making it suitable for fast-paced games.
While the AW2521H is a fantastic monitor for gaming, it’s a little pricey. If you’re on a budget, several other competitive monitors are available.
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Aspect Ratio
The Alienware AW2521H is a 25-inch HDR10-compatible gaming monitor. It features an IPS panel, G-Sync support, and fast response time. With a fast IPS panel, you can enjoy good viewing angles and color saturation, but you also have to deal with a low contrast ratio.
This monitor has a static contrast ratio of 1000:1, which is quite standard for IPS panels. However, the amount of IPS glow will vary from unit to unit. In dark environments, you might notice some ghosting and gray blacks. You can adjust the brightness of the backlight to a maximum of 400 cd/m2.
When it comes to performance, the Alienware AW2521H is excellent. You can get a fast response time with a high 360Hz refresh rate. Even better, you can also adjust the display backlight according to room lighting. There’s an ambient light sensor, too.
This monitor is made of quality materials and has a sturdy stand. The base is V-shaped, which leaves plenty of room between pegs.
Alienware’s AW2521H is compatible with HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen1 ports. These ports allow for faster charging. Moreover, it has four dedicated USB 3.2 Gen1 slots.
The Alienware AW2521H has an RGB LED on the back of the monitor. The AlienFX application can control this. As a result, you can manipulate the RGB LEDs to create your own custom color scheme.
The monitor’s case has a couple of light scuff marks on the edges, but overall it is in good condition. The RGB LEDs highlight the Alienware logo on the bottom of the monitor.
While it isn’t the most compact in its class, the Alienware AW2521H offers a great gaming experience and is priced reasonably. This is one of the best options if you’re looking for a high-end gaming monitor.
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Mounting Type
The Alienware AW2521H monitor is a premium 25-inch IPS monitor with a 360 Hz refresh rate. It also features NVIDIA’s Ultra Low Motion Blur technology. This technology reduces perceived motion blur while driving games at high frame rates.
The IPS panel provides decent viewing angles. The AW2521H also has an ambient light sensor that allows the image to vary with room lighting.
The monitor comes with an on-screen display (OSD) joystick. The joystick is positioned in the lower corner of the chassis. Four hotkeys accompany the OSD.
One of the main highlights of the monitor is its color accuracy. The IPS panel provides excellent gamma consistency, delivering a bright picture even when the screen is viewed at a distance.
The monitor also supports FreeSync via HDMI 2.0. The AMD drivers make FreeSync activation easy. However, FreeSync cannot be activated simultaneously with NVIDIA G-SYNC. If you want to use FreeSync, you will need a compatible AMD GPU.
Another feature is AlienFX, an RGB lighting system that lets you control the monitor’s LEDs. You can turn on the light with a single button or adjust the brightness with an adjustable slider.
The AW2521H is also an HDR10-compatible display. In addition, it has a VESA Adaptive-Sync protocol. These protocols are used by FreeSync, which means that the monitor can output most shades within sRGB color space.
Finally, the Alienware AW2521H features a stand that is built to last. It has a V-shaped base that leaves plenty of room between pegs. As well as being sturdy, the stand is lightweight.
For gamers who want to take their gaming to the next level, the Alienware AW2521H is a great choice. It is designed with professional gamers in mind.
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360 Hz screen
The Dell Alienware AW2521H monitor has many features that make it an excellent choice for gamers. It offers great ergonomics, low input lag, and a high 360 Hz screen. But its price is prohibitive for many. Thankfully, Amazon sells the monitor for $20 less than its usual price. This means you can get a great gaming monitor for less than a hundred bucks.
While the Alienware AW2521H does not have FreeSync support, it does feature the NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer. This tool measures input latency and captures end-to-end response time. You can then use the tool to analyze how your display is performing.
While the Alienware AW2521H has a good response time and low input lag, it does not have a high contrast ratio. Nevertheless, it has a bright display with wide viewing angles.
It has a 1920×1080 native resolution. This resolution isn’t extremely demanding on a PC, but Windows games often push it to the limit. Fortunately, the Alienware AW2521H supports HDR10 signals. In addition, the backlight has a maximum brightness of 400 cd/m2 and can be configured for strobing.
Lastly, the Alienware AW2521H comes with an ambient light sensor, which is great for varying the display’s brightness according to the room lighting. Despite the absence of speakers, it does have a headphone jack.
All in all, the AW2521H is a great gaming monitor, especially for competitive games. With a great response time and fast IPS panel, this monitor delivers an unparalleled visual experience. However, its price is prohibitive for many gamers. Hopefully, Amazon will lower the price in the near future.
The Alienware AW2521H does offer an impressive array of features for professional gamers. While the AW2521H does lack FreeSync support, it is still one of the best competitive gaming monitors on the market.
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1080p resolution
The Alienware AW2521H is a high-end gaming monitor built for professional gamers. A top-of-the-line panel and NVIDIA’s ULMB technology deliver smooth motion, low input lag, and fast response time. But it’s also an expensive monitor and is not widely available.
The Alienware AW2521H offers a wide viewing angle, but the monitor isn’t quite as flat as most competitors. It’s also missing some features that make it ideal for gaming.
The panel is an IPS design, which provides decent viewing angles. However, it can be blindingly bright. In addition, the uniformity of the panel is average when the screen is all black.
The Dell Alienware AW2521H display backlight is flicker-free. This is because it adjusts its brightness according to the lighting conditions in the room. Also, the backlight is rated to 400 cd/m2.
Another feature of the AW2521H is its excellent response time. This is due to its great refresh rate and low input lag. A good refresh rate is crucial for a monitor to deliver quick movement. The monitor provides great viewing angle stability and responsiveness combined with the IPS panel.
Although G-Sync is not supported on this model, the monitor does include an ambient light sensor that allows it to adapt its brightness to the surrounding environment. Moreover, it has a very small bezel on the bottom.
The display is also an HDR10-compatible monitor. Considering its price, the monitor lacks some advanced image adjustment tools. Nonetheless, the display is very vibrant, and its colors are vivid.
Alienware’s monitor has an OSD joystick that makes it easy to set various settings. Four hotkeys accompany the joystick, positioned in the chassis’s lower corner.
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On-screen display (OSD)
In the OSD menu, you’ll also have access to three game modes: Game Enhance, FPS (First-Person Shooter), and Custom Color. These modes are mostly game-specific and allow you to tweak your RGB channel and colors for different games.
In addition, the monitor has an RGB lighting system that you can adjust using the OSD menu. It features a small alien logo and a range of colors.
There’s also a directional joystick for easier navigation of the OSD menu. This joystick has a range of four hotkeys. Each hotkey will enable you to switch between preset modes and access brightness and gamma settings.
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Backlight
The Alienware AW2521H monitor is part of the Dell premium gaming portfolio. It comes with a number of features and excellent build quality. You can customize your monitor with full RGB LEDs and the AlienFX application.
It has a full-fat G-Sync implementation, which smooths out gameplay and prevents screen tearing. The backlight is flicker-free.
Using the AW2521H, you can adjust the brightness level according to the room’s lighting. A special ambient light sensor is used so that the image brightness can vary with the lighting.
Another notable disadvantage is the absence of advanced image adjustment tools. Luckily, you can adjust the brightness using pulse-width modulation. This method does not affect the intensity of the backlight, but it does increase the motion blur of the screen.
Buy Dell Alienware AW2521H Monitor From Amazon
Buying a new Dell Alienware AW2521H monitor is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your workstation. When shopping, consider the size and price of the monitor you want. You can also choose from models with multiple input devices, such as HDMI and USB. If you’re on a budget, don’t worry, you can still get a quality screen.
Numerous retailers host monitor sales. These include Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Check out the best Prime Day monitor deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Dell Alienware AW2521H gaming monitor, along with their answers:
Q: Does the Dell Alienware AW2521H support HDR?
A: No, the AW2521H does not support HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology. However, it offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast for an immersive gaming experience.
Q: Does the monitor have built-in speakers?
A: No, the Dell Alienware AW2521H does not have built-in speakers. To enjoy audio, you will need to connect external speakers or use headphones.
Q: Can I mount the monitor on a wall or monitor arm?
A: Yes, the AW2521H is VESA mount compatible, allowing you to mount it on compatible wall mounts or monitor arms for a more customized and space-saving setup.
Q: Is the monitor suitable for console gaming?
A: Yes, the Dell Alienware AW2521H is suitable for console gaming. With its fast refresh rate, low response time, and NVIDIA G-SYNC support, it provides a smooth and responsive gaming experience for console gamers.
Q: Can I adjust the color settings of the monitor?
A: Yes, the AW2521H offers various color settings and presets, allowing you to adjust the color temperature, contrast, and saturation to suit your preferences or gaming needs.
Q: Does the monitor support cable management?
A: Yes, the Dell Alienware AW2521H includes cable management features to help keep your gaming setup organized and free from clutter.
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