The AW2525HM is a small screen by choice. A 24.5-inch panel makes it easy to take in the whole game at close range, and Full HD is easier to drive at 320 frames per second than a larger pixel grid. Both choices pay off most clearly in a familiar competitive title.
In depth
Alienware AW2525HM review
Published
Best forCompetitive players whose desktop can already deliver several hundred frames per second at 1080p.
At a glance
- Screen size
- 24.5 inches
- Panel technology
- Fast IPS
- Native resolution
- 1920 × 1080
- Refresh rate
- 320 Hz
Pros
- 320 Hz at native resolution through DisplayPort.
- Compact screen and modest pixel count suit a high-frame-rate desk.
Cons
- HDMI runs below the DisplayPort maximum.
- Full HD gives text and large editing canvases less room than QHD.
Display
- 24.5 inches
- 1920 × 1080
- Fast IPS
At this size, Full HD works out to about 90 pixels per inch. That is useful context if the same monitor must also show a page of small print. A 27-inch QHD panel gives letters finer edges and accommodates more material at the same scale.
Motion
- 320 Hz
- Adaptive sync
Tom’s Hardware found the overdrive well controlled on its sample, with little visible blur and no ghost trail in the test described. That is more informative for tracking a moving player than the shortest response time on the box. Your own PC must still supply the frames. 1
Connectivity
- 320 Hz via DisplayPort
- Up to 255 Hz via HDMI
Use the DisplayPort socket for 320 Hz. HDMI accepts up to 255 Hz at 1080p, already beyond the output of a current 120 Hz console. The USB upstream cable is a separate connection if you want to use the ports on the monitor.
Alternatives
The 27-inch AW2725DM is a more comfortable split between games and documents. It trades some available refresh for 2560 × 1440 detail. An owner of a 240 Hz screen should first check a frame-time graph in the game they play most often.
Verdict
Pick the AW2525HM for high-speed play at a compact desk. A machine that spends most of a match below 180 fps will get more out of a sharper screen or a graphics upgrade.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Tom’s HardwareAlienware AW2525HM 25-inch 320 Hz gaming monitor review: Colorful and competition-ready (opens in a new tab)https://www.tomshardware.com/monitors/gaming-monitors/alienware-aw2525hm-25-inch-320-hz-gaming-monitor-review
Observed overdrive behavior, motion resolution and ghosting on the AW2525HM.