Alienware has existed for many years. Its diverse laptops, desktops, and design styles have become mainstays in the PC gaming sector. Their recent move into offering everything for your setup has not, however, been without hiccups.
Expensive gear is commensurate with the brand’s ostentatious price point. The Alienware AW2723DF may be one of the greatest gaming monitors that we have evaluated, despite its price of $649 and the fact that it has a fresh coat of paint and a plethora of tools.
Important specifications
- Screen size: 27-inches
- Panel type: IPS
- Resolution: 2560×1440
- Brightness: 600 nits (peak)
- Contrast ratio: 1000:1
- Refresh rate: 240Hz/280Hz overclocked (via DisplayPort)
- Response time: 1ms
- Color gamut: 100% sRGB, 95% DCI-P3
- Connectivity: 2 x HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-B Hub (USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream with Battery Charging 1.2, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream, USB 3.2 Gen 1 upstream)
- Price: $649
Design
Despite having a reputation for having somewhat garish aesthetics, Alienware has managed to achieve a clever balance with the AW2723DF. The style of futuristic gamers works nicely with the new, sleeker, and less gaudy design. It still seems to be a gaming device, but its appearance is more subtle.
What we did not anticipate being calming is the lighting emitted by a few LEDs. Similar to the design chosen by Samsung and Philips, it gives a soothing light for late-night activities. During a few late-night sessions with Resident Evil 4 Remake over the weekend, it fit in well. Often, gaming RGB items might get a little tiring on the eyes after a while.
We’re also great admirers of the matte, eggshell finishes on the monitor’s plastic, which give it a beauty that is frequently lacking in gaming displays. We believe this is the appropriate phrase to use, and it’s completely odd to say that about an Alienware device. It is an exquisite mechanism that seems like a slight provocation against expectations.
Like with the majority of new displays, setup was a breeze. Around five minutes after opening the package and creating space on the desk, we were immediately logged into Windows. It was still necessary for us to adjust the refresh rate of the display, but this is not unusual.
Features
The AW2723DF is brimming with features. Some feel quite incomplete, such as the supplied headset arm. It is only an unusual addition that we did not employ. We are now utilizing a pair of Audeze LCD-GX headphones for gaming, and they are significantly heavier than the other headsets we have. Leaving them for hours or days at a time increases the likelihood that the monitor’s headphone holder may break.
Alienware monitoring tools and configurations
Uncertainty exists over the monitor’s software-level tools. Many tracking capabilities, including as on-screen framerates and the ability to isolate a portion of the screen for aiming assistance, are included into the display.
Those who do not understand this for esports reasons are unable to appreciate the large crosshair and numerous colors it may display. Even while testing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, we saw no use for it outside of the most extreme edge scenarios.
Alienware aw2723df
We are in no way criticizing the feature since it is very fantastic that Alienware is creating the Swiss army knife of gaming displays. But, it’s such a limited use case that we question why it’s among the first possibilities displayed.
We appreciated the monitor’s refresh rate indication, which is typically measured in hertz (Hz). That is a good bonus that provides further confidence that you are receiving the performance for which you paid.
Shade and HDR
The monitor’s strengths lie in the screen’s colors and vitality. As previously said, we’ve started playing Resident Evil 4 Remake, and despite the game’s somber tone, it really pops when played. This display regularly impresses with the quality of its gaming visuals.
Like with other displays, HDR on this panel still feels like a compromise. We are in a unique situation where real HDR-calibrated displays are available. After you’ve viewed the vacuum of a calibrated Eizo panel and worked in the color correction area, you begin to recognize the deficiencies of many gaming monitors.
HDR on Windows is inferior. Even when HDR is forced on or Windows AutoHDR is used, the screen seems darker than intended. Certified at DispalyHDR 600 by VESA, HDR must be at least 1000 nits. These variances and lower HDR ratings are not always negative, but they are system flaws.
In this case, it serves its intended audience effectively. We wouldn’t use this for HDR color grading or color-accurate work in Lightroom or Capture One, but in a hurry, it could perform a passable job but at a high cost.
Pixel density and refresh rate
The combination of resolution and refresh rate is remarkable. Unless you’re going all out with a GPU, we believe that 1440p is the optimal resolution for PC gaming right now. In doing so, you are able to attain substantially greater frame rates in your video games.
On a personal level, 240Hz has never been of much significance. We spend the majority of our time on single-player games or titles locked at 60FPS for balancing reasons. The few occasions we’ve played multiplayer games with a frame rate greater than 144, we hardly felt the difference. Those who are more interested in esports will notice the difference, though.
The Alienware AW2723DF is not an exception. While playing Magic: The Gathering Arena and utilizing Windows, it was evident that both the game and operating system overcompensated with excessive motion blur.
We are confident that individuals who can distinguish between the refresh rates will do so. Yet, the few esports games we played did not make this abundantly evident to us. That is unquestionably a lesser difference than 60Hz to 144Hz. Nevertheless, a brief check-in with Blur Busters revealed the benefits of higher refresh rate monitors, particularly the distinction between 144Hz and 240Hz.
USB Hub
A problem we have with Alienware is an issue that persists across many displays. On the rear is an inbuilt USB hub that uses a USB-B cable to bridge the connection between the computer and display.
In the future, we expect that manufacturers will begin utilizing the far more durable USB-C standard. Having yet another sort of hyper-specific data cable instead than a universal one is aggravating, particularly if you lose the USB-B cable.
Alienware AW2723DF performance in gaming
We enjoyed gaming on the Alienware AW2723DF immensely. Despite HDR difficulties, the vibrant colors made this very smooth. Using it into various game settings was never a challenge.
Even while utilizing different refresh rates in games where they were offered, we never missed a beat, since the monitor constantly displayed its finest image.
Obviously, with a 240Hz refresh rate and the panel’s ability to reach 280Hz on strong computers, this monitor is a delight in virtually any gaming scenario.
After setting it up and calibrating it properly, we found it to be a terrific companion for exploring Destiny 2’s new locations or combating foes in our favorite collection of old FPS games.
It is also GPU-independent. With both AMD Freesync and Nvidia’s G-Sync onboard, this monitor will fit seamlessly into your setup.
Verdict – 4/5
Huge admirers of the Alienware AW2723DF we are. It offered a deluxe gaming experience and a plenty of tools for those that require them. We would want to see Alienware’s current design for their devices stay, since we would miss the rounded corners if it is reverted.
If you can afford the $700 price tag, we believe this monitor should be considered for your next purchase.