Dell Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor 24.5-inch 500Hz 0.5ms 24.5" Review
The Alienware AW2524HF offers a blistering 500Hz refresh rate for esports, but its 1080p resolution and average image quality make it a specialist tool, not a daily driver.
The 30-Second Version
The Alienware AW2524HF has a 500Hz refresh rate, making it one of the fastest monitors available. Everything else about it is average or worse, including its 1080p resolution and middling color performance. Buy this only if you need the absolute highest refresh rate for esports.
Overview
The Alienware AW2524HF is a monitor that makes one promise and delivers it spectacularly: speed. Its headline feature is a 500Hz refresh rate, which lands it in the 88th percentile for performance in our database. That means it's one of the fastest gaming monitors you can buy right now. It's a 24.5-inch panel with a 1080p resolution, so you're not getting the sharpest image or the biggest screen, but you're getting a refresh rate that's basically unheard of outside of esports labs. Everything else about this monitor is built to support that single, blistering goal.
Performance
This thing is fast. The 500Hz refresh rate is its entire identity, and it puts the AW2524HF in the top tier of gaming monitors for sheer motion clarity. In our benchmarks, it's a standout for performance, meaning it will handle the most demanding competitive games without a hiccup. That 0.5ms response time claim backs it up. The trade-off is that the specs supporting that speed are more modest. The display quality sits in the 32nd percentile, which is about average, and its color performance is similarly middle of the pack. It's a specialist, not a generalist.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 500Hz refresh rate is one of the best on the market for sheer speed. 87th
- 0.5ms response time supports the ultra-high refresh rate perfectly.
- Full ergonomic adjustability (height, tilt, swivel, pivot) is included.
- Performance ranking is a standout, landing in the 88th percentile.
- Anti-glare screen coating helps in bright environments.
Cons
- 1080p resolution on a 24.5" screen is a mediocre display experience. 28th
- Color performance falls behind most monitors, ranking in the 30th percentile. 28th
- Connectivity is underwhelming, with only DisplayPort and HDMI. 28th
- Feature set is basic, ranking in the 31st percentile. 30th
- It's not compact or portable, scoring a 10.6/100 in that category.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 24.5" |
| Resolution | 1920 (Full HD) |
Performance
| Refresh Rate | 500 Hz |
Value & Pricing
Prices for this monitor range from $550 to $696 across different vendors, so shopping around could save you over $140. For that money, you're buying a single, exceptional trait: the 500Hz refresh rate. You're not getting a great display, rich colors, or extra features. The value is entirely in the speed. If you're a competitive gaster who needs that edge, it might be worth it. If you care about image quality or a bigger screen, you're paying a premium for a spec you won't fully appreciate.
vs Competition
Compared to other high-end gaming monitors, the AW2524HF is a pure speed machine. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 and ASUS ROG Swift 4K 240Hz offer much higher resolutions and better color, but max out at 240Hz. The MSI MPG 322URX QD-OLED gives you 4K, OLED quality, and 240Hz, but again, half the refresh rate. Even the LG UltraGear's 330Hz mode is slower. This Dell wins in raw refresh rate, but loses badly in resolution, screen size, and overall image quality. It's a trade-off: do you want the fastest motion, or the best picture?
| Spec | Dell Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor 24.5-inch 500Hz 0.5ms 24.5" | LG UltraGear LG - UltraGear 27" IPS Dual Mode (4K UHD 180Hz, | MSI MAG MSI MAG 321CUP QD-OLED 31.5" 4K HDR 165 Hz Curved | ASUS ROG Swift ASUS ROG Swift 32" 4K OLED Gaming Monitor PG32UCDP | Samsung Odyssey Samsung Odyssey G95C 49" Dual 1440p HDR 240 Hz | Apple Studio Display Apple - Studio Display - Standard glass - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 24.5 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 49 | 27 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 | 5120 x 1440 | 5120 x 2880 |
| Panel Type | - | IPS | OLED | OLED | VA | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | 500 | 180 | 165 | 240 | 240 | 60 |
| Response Time Ms | - | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | - |
| Adaptive Sync | - | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | FreeSync Premium Pro | - |
| Hdr | - | HDR400 | HDR400 | HDR10 | HDR10+ | ✗ |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Color | Compact | Display | Feature | Ergonomic | Performance | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Alienware AW2524HF Gaming Monitor 24.5-inch 500Hz 0.5ms 24.5" | 28.1 | 28.2 | 30.2 | 30.1 | 27.8 | 87 | 30.5 |
| LG UltraGear 27" Dual Mode Compare | 89.8 | 80.4 | 90.5 | 82.4 | 96.5 | 94.1 | 99.9 |
| MSI MAG 321cup Qd-oled 31.5" Compare | 99 | 8.2 | 98.7 | 97.2 | 96.5 | 99.8 | 89.4 |
| ASUS ROG Swift 32" Compare | 99.9 | 72.4 | 98.7 | 82.4 | 87.8 | 81.3 | 96.7 |
| Samsung Odyssey G95C 49" Dual Compare | 97.2 | 50.4 | 87.6 | 82.4 | 87.8 | 96.3 | 98.1 |
| Apple Studio Display Studio Display Standard glass Tilt-adjustable stand Compare | 96.7 | 80.4 | 99.4 | 99.6 | 72.3 | 22.5 | 96 |
Common Questions
Q: Is 500Hz really noticeable over 240Hz?
For most people, the difference is minimal. The jump from 500Hz to 240Hz is smaller than from 240Hz to 144Hz. The benefit is most apparent to professional esports players in extremely fast games. Our data shows this monitor's performance is a standout, but the visual quality trade-offs are significant.
Q: What kind of PC do I need to use this monitor?
You need a very powerful gaming PC. To actually benefit from 500Hz, your system needs to consistently output 500 frames per second in your game. That requires a top-tier CPU and GPU, often in less demanding titles like esports games. If your PC can't hit that framerate, you're paying for a spec you can't use.
Q: Why is the resolution only 1080p?
Higher resolutions require more data to refresh, making it harder to achieve ultra-high refresh rates like 500Hz. A 1080p panel is easier to drive at that speed. Our rankings show its display quality is about average, so the choice prioritizes speed over sharpness.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this monitor if you care about image quality, a larger screen, or playing visually stunning games. Its display and color rankings are mediocre, and the 24.5-inch 1080p screen is a weak spot compared to modern 1440p or 4K options. Also skip it if your PC isn't a absolute powerhouse capable of pushing 500 fps. You'll be paying for a Ferrari but driving it in a school zone.
Verdict
We can only recommend the Alienware AW2524HF if you are a serious competitive gaster playing fast-twitch titles like Counter-Strike or Valorant, and you have a PC that can reliably push 500 frames per second. Its performance is leading, but everything else about it is solid or worse. For anyone else, a 240Hz 1440p or 4K monitor will offer a much better overall experience. This is a tool for a very specific job.