Dell Alienware AW2724DM 180Hz QHD IPS with DisplayHDR 600
As an Amazon Associate and Newegg Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the “Buy” button at the bottom of this post. Where possible, you'll be redirected to your nearest store. Further information on supporting our work.Medium refresh rate 27″ QHD (1440p) models hit the sweet spot for many gamers. The Dell Alienware AW2724DM provides this, with its 180Hz QHD IPS panel. The monitor features familiar styling for the brand, with dark matte materials used extensively and a hexagonal stand base as part of the so-called ‘Legend 2.0 ID’ design. The top and side bezels are dual-stage, with slim panel border flush with the rest of the screen plus thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by a joystick which faces downwards in the central region of the bottom bezel. The power LED can have its colour customised as an ‘AlienFX’ RGB lighting zone.
Misleading marketing alert: the bezels are not as slim as they appear in the press image below, which includes an image superimposed over the monitor. Refer to the video material on the product page (linked at the end of this article) for a more accurate representation.
A 27″ IPS-type panel is used with 2560 x 1440 (QHD or 1440p) resolution and support for a 180Hz refresh rate (165Hz + mild factory OC). Two panels are used interchangeably on this product, according to AMD’s FreeSync monitors listing, with one part an IPS-ADS panel from BOE. The other panel is confirmed as the LG Display LM270WQD-SSB1. Adaptive-Sync also features, including Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro with 48 – 165Hz (possible 180Hz ceiling with factory OC) VRR range plus LFC. The monitor is also AdaptiveSync Display certified. Other aspects of note include a matte anti-glare screen surface, 1000:1 static contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles and 10-bit colour support. The monitor is factory calibrated with specified DeltaE <2 and includes a flicker-free WLED backlight. This provides a 600 cd/m² typical maximum luminance and 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut, with 'ComfortView Plus' included (TÜV Rheinland certified Low Blue Light Hardware Solution). This means the blue light peak is shifted to less energetic wavelengths, designed to promote greater viewing comfort.
The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 600 certified, allowing it to output some decent bursts of brightness with basic local dimming providing a situational edge in contrast. And with 10-bit colour support and the reasonably DCI-P3 coverage being put to potentially good use. A 1ms grey to grey response time is specified, which as usual you should put little weight on. The monitor includes 2 further ‘AlienFX’ lighting zones at the rear – an ‘Alien Head’ logo plus ’27’ to denote the screen size. The screen attaches centrally via a quick-release mechanism, with the stand offering full ergonomic flexibility including 110mm (4.33 inches) height adjustment and pivot into portrait. You can remove the stand to reveal provision for 100 x 100mm VESA mounting. The ports face downwards and include; AC power input (internal power converter), USB Type-B upstream, HDMI 2.0 and 2 DP 1.4 ports. Outside the main port area, just to the left of the OSD joystick (viewed from the front) there are 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports, one with BC 1.2 charging capability.
Further details can be found on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for ~$400 USD.
