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Alienware's 500Hz Gaming Monitor Might Be the Fastest at CES

This monitor zips past recreational gamers.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Lori Grunin
The Alienware 500Hz gaming monitor connected to a laptop, surrounded by Alienware accessories and showing motorcyclists on the screen
Alienware

It wouldn't be CES without the requisite "OMG fast" gaming monitor, and Alienware's 25-inch AW2524H gaming monitor is this year's contender. 

Read more: CES 2023: How to Watch the Biggest Announcements from Samsung, LG, Nvidia

Alienware's display isn't the first to hit 500Hz refresh rate, the speed at which the screen can completely redraw -- that honor went to the Asus ROG Swift 500Hz in May 2022. But that model's screen is based on TN, a technology renowned for its speed but not much else. Alienware's model is based on IPS, which has better color, better viewing angles and higher brightness, and it's the first time we've seen IPS pushed this hard. It's also a rarefied speed that only a pro esports player would appreciate.

It's not 500Hz native; it's actually 480Hz and hits 500Hz when overclocked, and that's only via DisplayPort. It's restricted to 240Hz over HDMI. It has a tiny stand base, but it's VESA-mountable as well.

Other specs include Nvidia G-Sync and Reflex Latency Analyzer support, four USB-A connections, two HDMI and one DisplayPort. It's DisplayHDR 400 certified, for whatever that's worth, with 99% SRGB gamut coverage and an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust for different lighting conditions.

It's slated to ship in late March in the US (early February in China), but pricing isn't available yet.