A
lienware’s AW2721D is built for fast-paced gaming,
with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh
rate, a 3ms response time and Nvidia G-Sync
Ultimate. It lives up to the hype, with no tearing or stuttering
and noticeably improved responsiveness compared with
144Hz panels. We tested it in fast-paced games, including
CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege and Doom Eternal – and in
BlurBusters’ benchmarks – and it was crisp and smooth.
The 3ms response time can also be tightened to 2ms or
1ms with overdrive modes. However, these modes introduce
noticeable inverse ghosting, so it's not worth using them.
The only way to get a much faster refresh rate is to switch
to a 360Hz display (see the Asus display opposite), but
most gamers will be sated by 240Hz. You can find 1ms or
0.5ms panels elsewhere if you’re a particularly demanding
esports player, but those displays don’t have the features or
quality of the Alienware. The only notable omission is motion
blur reduction technology.
The panel’s default brightness level of 235cd/m² is ample
and the black point of 0.23cd/m² is reasonable for an IPS
display. The contrast of 1,022:1 is solid – some other IPS
displays are a little better, but it’s only significantly improved
on a VA panel. The delta E of
2.03, colour temperature of
6,458K and gamma level
of 2.23 are great, and the
Alienware rendered 99.8 per
cent of the sRGB gamut at
136 per cent volume. Colours
are punchy and vibrant, with
decent depth.
Meanwhile, enabling HDR
allows the Alienware to hit
a maximum brightness of
663cd/m² and a black point
of 0.1cd/m². The revised
contrast level of 6,630:1 is
great here, and this display
exceeds DisplayHDR
600’s requirements while
rendering 95.5 per cent of the
DCI-P3 gamut.
The Alienware does deliver
a reasonable improvement
in HDR games, but its
relatively unsophisticated
edge-lit dimming system
means it lacks subtlety
when compared with
pricier DisplayHDR 1000
VERDICT
Fast, smooth, crisp and feature-packed, this attractive
monitor is ideal for fast-paced gaming.SPEC
Screen size
27in
Resolution
2,540 x 1,440
Panel technology
IPS
Maximum refresh rate
240Hz
Response time
3ms
Contrast
1,000:1
Active sync
G-Sync Ultimate
and FreeSync
Display inputs
1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 2 x HDMI 2
Audio
Headphone jack
Stand adjustment
Height, pivot, rotation, tilt
Extras
100 x 100mm VESA
mount, RGB LEDs
HDR standard
DisplayHDR 600ROSWELL
+ Smooth, stutter-
free operation
+ Great image quality
+ Attractive design^NOT WELL
- No motion blur^
reduction - Inverse ghosting in
overdrive modes - HDR could^
be better
SUPPLIER dell.com
ALIENWARE AW2721D /£700 inc VAT
27 IN GAMING MONITOR
OVERALL SCORE
85 %
IMAGE QUALITY
26 / 30
GAMING
27 / 30FEATURES
17 / 20
VALUE
15 / 20panels with full-array dimming. Nvidia’s G-Sync Ultimate
spec originally called for displays to hit 1,000cd/m² and
use multi-zone backlighting, but Nvidia has relaxed those
rules, so G-Sync Ultimate displays don’t need to hit those
marks any more. There are other minor considerations.
While this screen uses 10-bit colour, it’s restricted to 8-bit
beyond 144Hz. FreeSync also only works over DisplayPort,
and this display can’t handle the Adobe RGB gamut.
The Alienware is impressive physically too. It’s fully
adjustable, robust and good-looking, with a monochromatic
design, slim bezels and RGB LEDs. The OSD is navigated by a
sturdy joystick, and the on-screen menu is slick. It also sports
four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, but no USB Type-C.Conclusion
The Alienware AW2721D delivers fast, crisp, and smooth
gaming in high-end single-player titles and competitive
games, and it's bolstered by good image quality, adjustability
and design. The inverse ghosting in the overdrive modes,
and the lack of motion blur reduction, may prompt the most
demanding esports players to look elsewhere, though, and
HDR fans also won’t be sated by this display. For fast-paced
gaming and esports, though, the Alienware is one of the best
displays around – it’s expensive, but it’s delivered with superb
features and execution.
MIKE JENNINGSc
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