A medium matte anti-glare screen surface is used, as explored shortly. The setting is found in Manage 3D settings under Vertical sync, where the final option (Fast) is equivalent to AMDs Enhanced Sync setting. Whilst this setting did tone down the blue channel from the factory defaults and reduce blue light output as a result, it was far from an effective LBL setting. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the monitor provided an excellent performance in all cases, with no noticeable weaknesses. This reflects another significant reduction in perceived blur due to eye movement. This, coupled with the inclusion of a flipped version of the shade sheet, allows both accuracy and colour consistency to be visually assessed. Turning it on allows the image to vary in brightness with your rooms lighting. Aquamarine (4) is particularly good at highlighting this relative strength. And slight gamma corrections, assuming the unit behaves like our sample in that respect. Some shades appear a touch oversaturated due primarily to the slight extension in the gamut, the most noticeable being dark lime green (18) which appeared a touch more neon. At 60Hz, above, the UFO appears soft without sharp focus or clear internal detailing. The monitor is also listed as such on Nvidias website. Lagoms viewing angle tests help explore the idea of colour consistency and viewing angle performance. Laras skin also appeared much as it should, without the overly tanned appearance that a wider gamut would provide. The colour gamut provided just a bit of extension beyond sRGB, injecting some extra vibrancy without the strong saturation of a much more generous colour gamut. We wont be going into this in detail as its a GPU feature rather than a monitor feature. If you activate the Frame Rate feature under Game Game Enhance Mode in the OSD, this will display the refresh rate of the display and therefore indicate the frame rate if FreeSync is active and the frame rate is within the variable refresh rate range of the display. Performance on the white saturation test was good. Most users will probably wish to enable VSync when using FreeSync to ensure that they dont get any tearing. The luminance uniformity was quite good. You should then ensure that the first slider, Radeon FreeSync is set to Enabled as shown below. As noted earlier, AMD FreeSync makes use of Adaptive-Sync technology on a compatible monitor. Together, the monitor certainly didnt provide a deep and atmospheric look to dark scenes and is more suited to viewing in a well-lit room. The Fast setting shows a clear lack of overshoot at 240Hz and relatively low overshoot at much lower refresh rates, though, whilst still providing rapid pixel responses overall. In contrast to models with G-SYNC modules, which feature variable overdrive that re-tunes things dynamically to a wide range of different refresh rates. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. The panel at the rear includes DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and four USB 3.0 ports for peripherals. Both our responsiveness article and the G-SYNC article linked to explore the importance of these two elements being synchronised. Perceived blur (pursuit photography) Is there any configurations I'm not aware of that I should turn on for the 240hz be used on games? For users who wish to disable Adaptive-Sync they can just stick with Fast without worrying about strong overshoot, too. Input lag Still there are some weaker IPS performers out there in that respect. The Fast setting was quite close to the reference here, with slightly stronger but still by no means extreme overshoot. This feature is used regardless of VSync setting, so its only above the ceiling of operation where the VSync setting makes a difference. The monitor was tested at 60Hz (directly below), 144Hz and 240Hz using all available Response Time settings; Fast, Super Fast and Extreme. There are again varying levels of trailing behind the UFOs due to weaknesses in pixel responsiveness, but this takes a different form to at 60Hz. The monitor also includes a Low Blue Light (LBL) setting called ComfortView. Standard accessories include a power cable, DP cable, HDMI cable and USB 3.0 upstream cable. We wont be going into this in detail as its a GPU feature rather than a monitor feature. The setting is listed as Wait for Vertical Refresh. We wish the brand included an upgraded pair for the price which is quite steep, but built-ins are rarely missed since the intended audience will most likely have gaming headsets or speakers. The default is Off, unless application specifies which means that VSync will only be active if you enable it within the game itself, if there is such an option. We enjoyed the same experience in Call of Duty WWII, which definitely looked better with HDR engaged. For users who wish to disable Adaptive-Sync they can just stick with Fast without worrying about strong overshoot, too. Its something were sensitive to, as long-time readers of our website will be well aware. Gradients showed no visible banding, viewing angles are great thanks to the IPS panel, and gamma followed the 2.2 curve closely, deviating just a tad on the brighter end of the spectrum. The final point to note is that FreeSync only removes stuttering or juddering related to mismatches between frame rate and refresh rate. The monitor is also listed as such on Nvidias website. 237fps) instead, avoiding any VSync latency penalty at frame rates near the ceiling of operation or tearing from frame rates rising above the refresh rate. The Dell Alienware supports a variable refresh rate range of 48 240Hz. This reflects a moderate amount of perceived blur due to eye movement and is something shared with the reference screen. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Shadow of the Tomb Raider told a similar story. On models with a significantly wider gamut, this shade and candy apple red (14), to name but a few, tend to look significantly more neon than they appear here. Its accessible on the right-hand side at the back if you are facing the display, so it shouldnt be too difficult to reach over. The remaining presets make specific adjustments to those and cant be manually altered. 80 240fps). FreeSync also boasts reduced latency compared to running with VSync enabled, in the variable frame rate environment in which it operates. As with AMD FreeSync this technology worked very well, although there was a momentary stutter when it activated or deactivated. Medium orange (3), Persian pink (6) and looked slightly undersaturated in person, but they appear much less saturated and overly bright in the image compared to how they actually looked on the monitor. The driver setting change noted in the article setting Output dynamic range to Full is the simplest method. Pixel response behaviour was similar under the Fast setting whether Adaptive-Sync was active or not both in this test and more broadly. The darkest blue block blended into the background a bit too readily. The IPS screen provides decent viewing angles with little color shift or light reduction when viewed up to 45 degrees off center. It's an IPS panel so viewing angles . But not the strong saturation levels youd see from models with more generous gamuts. The brightest point recorded was quadrant 5 in the centre of the screen (168.2 cd/m). The best price for Alienware AW2521HF 25" Gaming Full HD IPS 240Hz right now is $651.75. The monitor is also listed as such on Nvidias website. Candy apple red appeared with a bit of an orange-red tone due to extension in the red to green edge of the gamut. Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: 1080p, 1920 x 1080, 1ms, 240Hz, 25 Inches, Alienware, DisplayHDR 400, FHD, freesync, Full HD, G-Sync compatible, HD, hdr, HDR 400, IPS, Your email address will not be published. This is quite common on LBL settings as reducing the green channel negatively impacts contrast, but in this case it was rather noticeable and you were left with a warmish but very green image. Aside from for our Test Settings, where various adjustments were made, assume factory defaults were used. When the frame rate rises above 240fps, the monitor will stay at 240Hz and the GPU will respect your selection of VSync on or VSync off in the graphics driver. In contrast to models with G-SYNC modules, which feature variable overdrive that re-tunes things dynamically to a wide range of different refresh rates. Relaxing evening viewing (see below) 2.1 4314K We created out own LBL setting as described below. Colour reproduction Make sure this is selected (it should be if youve set everything up correctly in Set up G-SYNC). Where possible, the monitor dynamically adjusts its refresh rate so that it matches the frame rate being outputted by the GPU. So better than some IPS-type models, weaker than others but very much as specified. A futuristic sci-fi prop look which some will find quite endearing. Some users prefer to leave VSync enabled but use a frame rate limiter set a few frames below the maximum supported (e.g. The monitor is also listed as such on Nvidias website. For those who play a variety of games, some competitive and some casual, having a screen that offers a 240Hz refresh rate and good colour quality can be very attractive. We also tested movie content, which was much more limited in frame rate (generally 24fps, 30fps or 60fps). Note that wavy patterns surrounding some UFOs in the background are slight image retention. The consistency is also very good in most cases, superior to VA models and far superior to TN models (references here). Alternatively, static interlace patterns may be seen with some shades appearing as faint horizontal or vertical bands of a slightly lighter and slightly darker version of the intended shade. The screenshot below is for a different model, but the settings and layout of the page are the same. It cant compensate for other interruptions to smooth game play, for example network latency or insufficient system memory. Well therefore just focus Battlefield V for this section. Below you can see how things appear with refresh rate ramped up to 240Hz. The setting is listed as Wait for Vertical Refresh. The colour gamut provided just a bit of extension beyond sRGB, injecting some extra vibrancy without the strong saturation of a much more generous colour gamut. Also on white places ingame, it looks blurry when i move it fast. IPS glow also came with the territory. To configure VSync, open AMD Radeon Software. An X-Rite i1Display Pro was used to measure the luminance of black and white using a range of settings. Fast flat panels used to rely on TN technology for their speed, but that is no more. You should then ensure that the first slider, Radeon FreeSync is set to Enabled as shown below. Refresh rate (Windows setting)= 240Hz. It appears as a cool-tinted silverish haze towards the bottom left. Performance on the white saturation test was good. Quite gamery, but in in a less aggressive and sharp-lined or flashy colourful way than usual. 237fps) instead, avoiding any VSync latency penalty at frame rates near the ceiling of operation or tearing from frame rates rising above the refresh rate. The colour temperature is warmer by default but the blue channel remained strong on our unit and green channel very strong. The environments looked in-place, with good variety and some good earthy browns and rich green shades. The Dell Alienware supports a variable refresh rate range of 48 240Hz. IPS glow also featured, but appropriate room lighting took the edge off this. Color was rich and saturated with natural hues, but shadows were still more gray than black. Best Overdrive Setting: Off: Black Frame Insertion (BFI) Yes: Dark Overshoot Error: 0.0%: . The responsiveness of the monitor was also quite impressive which is a good thing given that its a key focus of 240Hz models like this. The Alienware AW2521HF has a great contrast ratio that reaches 1190:1 at around 30% to 40% brightness. As shown in the image above, the monitor uses the usual RGB (Red, Green and Blue) stripe subpixel layout. ASUS TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A; LG UltraGear 27GN850; Alienware AW2521HF; Samsung Odyssey G7 Series 27" BenQ Zowie XL2411K; Best HDMI 2.1 Monitor For Warzone - ASUS TUF Gaming . The greyscale gradient appeared smooth without obvious banding or dithering. Such an option does usually exist it may be called sync every frame or something along those lines rather than simply VSync. The high refresh rate and frame rate combination can be particularly attractive for competitive gamers, but also appreciated by fans of less competitive fast-paced action. Responsiveness (Adaptive-Sync) Aside from for our Test Settings, where various adjustments were made, assume factory defaults were used. This gives easy access to the ports from the front as well. Video inputs include two HDMI 2.0, limited to 240 Hz, and a DisplayPort 1.4, which is the one to use for G-Sync and 360 Hz (see our DisplayPort vs HDMI article for more). The technology worked well and offered a very similar experience to AMD FreeSync. The AW2521HF supports FreeSync Premium via DP 1.2a and HDMI 2.0 on compatible GPUs and systems. Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor AW2518H at Newegg for $798.70. The pixel response requirements are slacker at such frame rates and the visual fluidity is greatly limited by the frame rate itself. Most pixel transitions were performed fast enough for a solid 240Hz experience, with either no additional trailing or just a little light powdery trailing in places. In the review of the Alienware AW2518H, it says that they calibrated the monitor to offer better colors but i can`t seem to find the exact settings that they used. The cable bundle includes two DisplayPorts, one with a mini connector, and a USB 3.0 wire. Aquamarine (4) is particularly good at highlighting this relative strength. The monitor also includes a Low Blue Light (LBL) setting called ComfortView. Negatives The SpyderX Elite was used to assess the uniformity of lighter shades, represented by 9 equidistant white quadrants. Inside the upright, visible from the front, is a convenient graduated number scale so you can remember your height setting when moving the AW2521H from place to place. Depending on angle, the glow may take on a subtle cool-silver appearance or slightly warm green hue. Further information on supporting our work. Assume that any setting not mentioned was left at default, with the exceptions already noted in the calibration section. The Super Fast setting just slightly reduces this, replacing it with a very small amount of overshoot. TN models show obvious saturation shifts vertically. Use the code 'SAVE350' to get $350 more off. With the AW2521HF, you need to connect the monitor up via DisplayPort and enable FreeSync in the Game section of the OSD. It still helps demonstrate some of the relative differences between the original intended sRGB shade and what the monitor outputs, however. R Gain= 100% It includes blended grey height markers on the inside of the stand neck, from 1 to 8 with each number approximately 2cm apart. Black levels arent all that deep, so shadow areas looked more like dark gray. Alienware Tenkeyless Gaming Keyboard - AW420K. The backlight hits 400 cd/m2, while the contrast ratio is rated at 1000:1 like most IPS panels. You get a countdown timer, an FPS . It doesnt show strong graininess or a heavily smeared appearance, however. The lower 1080p resolution ensures you can push as many frames as possible to reach that super-fast refresh rate, so while it isn't ideal for desktop work, it's all your graphics card can probably handle for gaming this smooth. The blue block appeared consistent royal blue throughout. You could assign such settings to Game 2 or Game 3 as well as theyre identical its easy to flick between these presets and another one by assigning them to a Shortcut Key in the OSD. But less of this behind the UFO cockpit for the medium background. The competitive advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate was irrelevant on this title, although we still noticed an edge in connected feel and perceived blur on the rare occasions frame rate got up high enough. The butter-smooth, blur-free motion of fast panels like the AW2521H is something you have to experience to understand, and it gives you this sense of control that 60Hz doesn't quite hit. Heres how it works. At 144Hz, above, the UFO appears narrower and more sharply focused, with better internal detailing. There is a little light powdery trailing behind the UFOs, particularly for the dark and medium backgrounds. It was free an obvious pink hue or saturation shifts that youd observe on models with weaker colour consistency. Some appreciate the extra saturation and strong vibrancy of a more generous gamut, but we feel a decent balance is struck here with a bit of extra saturation and good richness throughout the screen. Around 1000:1 even following adjustments to our Test Settings. Both our responsiveness article and the G-SYNC article linked to explore the importance of these two elements being synchronised. Press OK, then turn the monitor off then on again so that it re-establishes connection the technology should now be active. The camera is mounted slightly above centre so that the image is representative of what the eye sees from an ergonomically correct viewing position. Although not nearly as pronounced or obvious as stepping up from 60Hz to 144Hz (or even 120Hz). Most shades appeared very consistent indeed, with any slight deviation due more to uniformity than any viewing angle related weakness. Depending on angle, the glow may take on a subtle cool-silver appearance or slightly warm green hue. Instead, DC (Direct Current) dimming is used for the backlight. Current page: As things dipped even further, below the 48fps (48Hz) floor of operation for FreeSync, the monitor employed LFC (Low Framerate Compensation). //]]>. This contrasted starkly with competing TN models that would show an obvious gradient of saturation vertically and VA models which show shifts from centre to bottom and sides. Rather than simply reflecting the pixel response elements. The Response Time setting or Adaptive-Sync status didnt affect these observations. The very low signal delay of this model also aided the connected feel, but the very high frame and refresh rate combination also helped. Details can be found in this article. On models with a significantly wider gamut, this shade and candy apple red (14), to name but a few, tend to look significantly more neon than they appear here. Dips below this were common. Weve also included our preferred Response Time setting and the refresh rate used in Windows for most of the review, just for reference. Competing TN models certainly have something of a vertical detail gradient going on for dark content vertically, whilst VA models have black crush centrally and a bit of extra detail peripherally. Not to the extent seen on models with a more generous colour gamut, but enough to stand out and have the intended look overall. Donations are also greatly appreciated. Video review The Super Fast setting just slightly reduces this, replacing it with a very small amount of overshoot. As of driver version 417.71, users with Nvidia GPUs (GTX 10 series and newer) and Windows 10 can also make use of this Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology. It looks good on the https://www.testufo.com/ghosting, but when I enter CS:GO, Valorant, or any other games it just looks really bad. This further reinforces the idea of strong colour consistency, with large areas of individual shade. Any issues identified with FreeSync that were isolated to a specific title would indicate an issue with the game or GPU driver rather than the monitor as well. Extreme in particular showed very strong and eye-catching overshoot. For those who play a variety of games, some competitive and some casual, having a screen that offers a 240Hz refresh rate and good colour quality can be very attractive.