Blur Busters Forums

Hello, I have been looking at the new Alienware AW 2521HF, I am moving over from a Samsung 144hz monitor, and I am wondering if it is a good option, or if you guys have any other suggestions? I play competitive games such as Valorant, COD Warzone, Apex Legends, CSGO, and occassionally other games like League of Legends, etc.

I have also found the MSI Optix MAG251RX for £313.

This is the link to the Alienware, I am able to get it for around £280 with a student discount, which I assume is a good deal.
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/dell-al ... j/monitors

I am wanting to get this right.

Any input welcome, thanks!

Those new IPS panels are really nice, they have better colors than your generic TN panel, however they're still not faster than the fastest TN panels. So if competitive advantage is your #1 priority, go for one of the top TN panels, as those will have the lowest response times/input lag, aswell as clearest motion. Some of the new IPS panels actually have lower response times but arn't as clear when it comes to motion.

The XL2546 is one of the best, however it's quite expensive - also depends on if you want to use BFI since it has that feature. (XL2546S is available soon tho)
Acer XF2 XF252Q is a lower budget option, however it's still one of the fastest monitors with BFI.
The HP Omen X 25f is the monitor I went for, since it has some of the lowest response times/input lag, but comes without BFI, however since that adds more input lag, and I'm also sensitive to it, it was the perfect panel for me.
If you end up going for it, keep an eye on Amazon DE, it dropped to 250€ last friday, which is quite a good deal for such a monitor.

Overall it's the usual matter of your personal priority - how high do you rank competitive advantage? If you can drop some response time/input lag/motion clarity for significantly better colors, the MAG251RX is a solid choice. And the values of the MSI are actually extremely close to solid TNs, so you'll have to make a choice of priority here.

icemann, it's not the NEW aw2521hf. It's the same exact AHVA panel as the 27 inch version that came out in mid 2019. Only difference is, the 25" version is black and the 27" version is colored white.

Pixel response timesAW>>>MSI

AW is extremely quick, just as quick as the MSI. As a matter of fact, the MSI's second overdrive at "super fast" if double cert. adaptive sync is turned on, the AW will have no noticeable overshoot. yes folks, "super fast" is literally at around 2ms. You will still see a lot of "glowign" but you wont' see artefacts or halos or inverse ghosting bcuz although there's a 20-25% overshoot rate, overshoot becomes onlyh noticeable by making every thing more bright/sharp/glowy. In my opinion, i found that distracting but it won't hinder your gameplay.

Stick to "fast"(the first overdrive setting). it's legitimately 3ms just like the MSI but it has way less overshoot. The MSI's overshoot rate is close to 8-9% which is very tolerabler especially at higher refresh but the alienware has ZERO overshoot errors . Basdically, the MSI's fastest overdrive is equal to that of the alienwares slowest overdrive of "FAST". With that being said, the MSI wasn't dethroned, the alienware just TIED it. (btw, if the AW user uses "super fast" overdrive, then the MSI is beaten, but then again, get used to objects looking more sharp/ bright than usual bcuz i found it distracting.

keep in mind, if you turn on g-sync and dbl cert freesync, the slight overshoot at "super fast" is mitigated making it even more playable(then again, why would u even want to turn on adaptive sync on a 240hz monitor, all it does is add input lag). So yes, we are talking 2ms g2g here with ZERO ghosting. This makes the alienware the fastest 240hz IPS monitor if u add gimmicks like adaptive sync.

honestly, i would still pick the MSI. Although the alienware TIED the MSI in performance(and is capable of going faster due to overshoot mitigation thanks to its double certified adaptive sync apabilities), the MSI has it beat at everything else except the stand and the build quality.

1. 1200:1 for the msi and contrast ratio vs 800:1 contrast ratio for the alienware. the AW will look more noticeably washed out(aka there's a tint of white glow throughout the monitor since the contrast isnt' good.)
2. 10 bit color depth>>>8 bit color depth
3. 8 bit+FRC(anti banding)>>>8 bit
4. Backlight strobing>>>no backlight strobing
5. console gaming. Both are good, but the MSI's "faster" overdrive(which is the fastest) works perfectly well at 60hz. Which means y ou're looking at 3ms resonse times. I cannot wait to use my MSI when xbox series x come out.
6. HDR>>>no HDR
7. $360>>>$510(it's $385 right now but if you're living in the united states, have fun waiting until July to order one.(esp. the 25 inch versioN)


one thing i will give the alienware is it has a better stand and build quality. It's beautiful monitor and it's also just as fast(if not faster) than the MSI. The overdrive tuning for the alienware is probably one of the best i've seen. (although not as good as the MSI if you factor in lower refresgh rates)

tldlrlr;

whichever is available first OR its cheaper, buy it.

I purchased the 27" version just now and ima keep it along side by MSI. The response time was the reason why i chose it above all the other IPS 240hz monitors. Alienware 27"/25" versions(aw2521hf, aw2720hf), 280hz asus vg279qm/vg259qm, and the MSI MAG251rx are the only three monitors who can legitimately stand up to the best TNs.

So if there are two players. one is using TN and other using an IPS. There is basically zero differences and the only difference in their performance is skill and not any advantages of the monitor they used. Yes, when i said "zero differences" i really mean it. 240hz will greatly reduce tearing, motion blur and reduce input lag. TN's faster response time becomes redundant and counter productive at 240hz FPS

DaveN, I have looked at the Omen, but I don't particularly like it, I was considering the other TN options but yeah, it is hard at this point and time is scarce, I am going nuts without a monitor and its only been a day

RLC, thank you for the information, I am having a hard time deciding, due to me being indecisive, I have missed the opportunity to purchase the MAG251RX, yesterday, there were 5 units left and they sold out within 6-12 hours for £313, which I assume was a very good price. I would mostly play competitive games on the monitor, and when I play games like The Witcher, I switch to my higher resolution TV, though an IPS panel would be nice. I got rid of my Samsung 144hz monitor yesterday, and waiting until June 15th for the MSI to be back in stock is too long (I contacted MSI UK, and they estimated mid June).

It now leaves me with Alienware AW2521HF, or to pick from the TN panel range. If I were to go with the TN, it would be between the Alienware AW2518HF, BenQ Zowie XL2540/XL2546. Someone is currently selling the Zowie XL2740 on eBay for £400, condition being "New" but I think the 27 inch is too large, as my desk is not wide enough, and I would be sitting too close.

The Asus VG279QM is also 27", but is in stock for roughly £360.

Acer also released the Predator XB273GX, but I heard that Acer QC is terrible, as well as the customer service.

I am serious about competitive gaming, but I also like what I am looking at. I am worried about motion blur on the Alienware AW2521HF, that is why I am hesitant, even for £280. I would rather spend a little extra to get something that ain't experimental.

So should I go with the TN 240hz panel for best input lag, performance, or with the ips? If it is the same performance. Thanks

Icemann wrote: ↑

08 May 2020, 07:29

So should I go with the TN 240hz panel for best input lag, performance, or with the ips? If it is the same performance. Thanks

Depends on your need.
The best IPS are lagging behind only with a 1ms/0,5ms compared to the best TNs, average best IPS panels are 3ms, and the best TN 2.5ms (average response time). Plus IPS panels have the lowest input lag compared to TN panels.
And above all you have better colors and viewing angles, the only drawback of the IPS panels is the ghosting (which you won't even see it in games) and the petty response time compared to TNs which for me isn't much important when it's a difference of 1ms, input lag is much important as a FPS player.

Now giving those arguments, you have a clear idea of which monitors you want.
If you really want a TN panel, go for the Acer XF252Q (one of the fastest TN panels to date). Otherwise get a 240 IPS panels.

Stayle wrote: ↑

08 May 2020, 10:10

Icemann wrote: ↑

08 May 2020, 07:29

So should I go with the TN 240hz panel for best input lag, performance, or with the ips? If it is the same performance. Thanks

Depends on your need.
The best IPS are lagging behind only with a 1ms/0,5ms compared to the best TNs, average best IPS panels are 3ms, and the best TN 2.5ms (average response time). Plus IPS panels have the lowest input lag compared to TN panels.
And above all you have better colors and viewing angles, the only drawback of the IPS panels is the ghosting (which you won't even see it in games) and the petty response time compared to TNs which for me isn't much important when it's a difference of 1ms, input lag is much important as a FPS player.

Now giving those arguments, you have a clear idea of which monitors you want.
If you really want a TN panel, go for the Acer XF252Q (one of the fastest TN panels to date). Otherwise get a 240 IPS panels.

Great! Thank you for clearing it up for me. I am just looking for the best performance. What IPS 240hz monitor would you personally recommend? With the lowest input lag, as for the TN panel, do you have a 2nd suggestion other than the Acer?

Asus, or MSI for 240hz IPS panels. For the TNs, they are all almost the same I would say, I won't bother much, except if there is one you really want is the Acer Nitro

I'd take the MSI (I own it) over any TN panels, I'm very perceptive to motion blur and am more than pleased with the 251RX. Well worth the price which isnt too high.

Ah, alright. Thank you guys. I heard many good things about the AW2521HF, from a lot of owners.

So I should take the Alienware out of account? As I heard that it is a good option, despite not having motion blur tech.
All I want is to not be disadvantaged against players who use TN 240hz panels like for example the BenQ XL2540/XL2546, in terms of input lag/response time, and performance in general.