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]]>Alienware notes that the monitor's AMD FreeSync Premium and VESA AdaptiveSync certification can enable tear- and stutter-free gaming. The AW2524HF has a low latency response time of 0.5ms which, according to Alienware, eliminates motion blur and ghosting effects.
The monitor is HDR10-compatible and it has 99 percent sRGB color coverage. The Fast IPS panel is said to enable consistent visuals from any viewing angle. Alienware also claims the TUV-certified ComfortView Plus hardware feature reduces harmful low blue light while still ensuring the display delivers true-to-life colors.
The monitor has a built-in retractable hanger for your headset and a height-adjustable hexagonal base that's designed to take up less space on your desk. As for connectivity, there are two DisplayPort 1.4 slots, one HDMI 2.1 port and five spaces for USB 3.2 cables.
You can snap up the AW2524HF from Dell's website starting on September 12th. The monitor costs $650. Alienware will reveal UK pricing and availability later.
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]]>The post Alienware’s new Aurora desktop can overclock to an astounding 6.1GHz appeared first on Best News.
]]>As a matter of fact, Alienware says this is the company’s first system to reach beyond 6Ghz. This is due to the inclusion of an Intel Core 14th Gen processor, a two UDIMM memory architecture and a custom motherboard based on the Intel Z690 chipset. You can overclock via a BIOS switch to fly past that 6GHz benchmark.
Gaming PCs are also largely defined by the GPU, and the R16 ships with the scarily-powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card with 24GB of GDDR6X memory, though that’s the top-of-the-line model. You have plenty of GPU options here, all the way down to the GeForce RTX 3050 with 8GB of GDDR6 memory. You can also choose up to 64GB of DDR5 XMP memory and up to 4TB of SSD storage.
Aurora desktops have been a mainstay with PC gamers since 2009, but this latest release represents a near-total redesign. The R16’s inspired by the industrial form factor of the company’s Legend 3 gaming laptop. You get a nifty cube design that’s 40 percent smaller than last year’s R15, while still emphasizing accessibility and user upgrades. The chassis ships with either a solid door or a clear side panel so you can marvel at all of those sweet techy innards. The new cube shape also makes it easier to find the perfect spot on or under your desk.
With all of that new power comes new thermal regulation requirements. The R16 boasts larger air-intakes and exhausts than the R15, with hexagonal side vents and a new vertical stadium to provide a larger surface area for airflow. The top face also features a larger surface area for the purposes of exhaust. All told, the company says these upgrades contribute to a seven percent reduction in overall temperature when compared to the R15, despite the added power. You also have your choice of air-cooled or liquid-cooled CPUs.
The R16 also integrates with the company’s Alienware Command Center 6.0 software suite, a first for desktops. This software lets you adjust nearly every aspect of the PC, from the AlienFX lighting, thermal regulation, game presets and much more. As for user upgrades, you have two DIMM slots for memory, 2x M.2 PCIe slots for SSD storage and an additional 3.5” HDD slot. All configurations also support Wi-Fi 6E and 2.5 Gbps ethernet.
The Alienware Aurora R16 will be available for purchase tomorrow and starts at $2,200. This is for a bare-bones model, however, so you could potentially pay hundreds more for access to each and every bell and whistle.
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]]>The post Alienware's latest gaming laptop is the first to feature AMD's Radeon RX 7900M GPU appeared first on Best News.
]]>The term AMD Advantage is marketing speak for a computer that’s built from the ground up for gaming via various AMD chipsets and technologies. To that end, the m18 is the first computer to feature the all-new AMD Radeon RX 7900M laptop graphics chip. These laptops also come equipped with the well-regarded AMD Ryzen 7945HX CPU. So, yeah, this thing’s a beast, with Alienware calling it a “performance juggernaut.”
The Radeon RX 7900M has been engineered to deliver “desktop-class” visuals even when playing power-hungry AAA titles. The GPU is filled with techy features, like second-gen raytracing accelerators, 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM and other “advanced capabilities to push the limits of gaming and content creation on the go.”
The Ryzen 9 7945 CPU helps everything move along thanks to 16 performance cores, 32 processing threads and AMD’s proprietary Zen 4 chiplet technology. The CPU was manufactured using the new 5nm design, the first for gaming laptops, which promises better power efficiency and faster performance.
These laptops ship with AMD’s Adrenaline Edition software suite, so you can access the SmartShift tool to shift power between the GPU and CPU in real-time to boost performance. Additionally, the company’s proprietary SmartAccess graphics tech automatically prioritizes game performance and reduced latency when using FreeSync.
Laptops are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet, however, and the m18 has some other perks worth mentioning. These computers come equipped with Alienware’s Cryo-tech thermal regulation technology. This thermal interface material extends to both the CPU and GPU, with an expanded vapor chamber covering each component, helping to dissipate heat across the entire system. Four thin fans finish this process by pulling heated air through eight heat pipes and out via five vents.
You also get an 18-inch display panel equipped with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, with a 16:10 aspect ratio, QHD+ resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. You can overclock this refresh rate all the way to 480Hz at the expense of resolution for competitive gaming scenarios. An FHD webcam and an IR camera for facial recognition are also on board.
As for RAM and storage, there’s user-replaceable dual-channel DDR5 memory and you can shop options with up to three M.2 SSDs for a combined total of 8.5TB of storage. The laptop boasts some aesthetic flourishes, like an aluminum lid and bottom cover, an aluminum die-cast inner frame and an embossed “18” on the exterior. The m18 is available today with a starting price of $2,800.
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]]>The post Alienware teases a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor at CES appeared first on Best News.
]]>First up, there’s the Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED (AW3225QF), which the company calls the “world’s first 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor.” This display has Dolby Vision HDR, a curved panel and a peak luminance up to 1000 nits. The AW3225QF also boasts a 240Hz native refresh rate, a 0.03ms gray-to-gray response time and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility.
You can expect inky dark black levels and lots of color coverage. In fact, Alienware promises blacks that are 10 times darker than a standard picture. It also claims you’ll have access to “colors never seen before on a screen,” which seems like a lofty promise, but hey, we won’t have long to find out. It’ll be available on January 11, with a list price of $1,200.
Alienware also announced the AW2725DF 360Hz QD-OLED gaming display. As you can tell from the name, this screen boasts an astounding 360Hz native refresh rate. Alienware touts another record being smashed here, calling this the “world’s first” 360Hz QD-OLED display.
The screen also features a 0.03ms gray-to-gray response time for “near instantaneous pixel response” and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400. The monitor comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA AdapativeSync tech. The stand is fully adjustable to suit different setups and the minimal hexagonal base allows for added real estate on the desk for accessories.
The 27-inch AW2725DF will also be available on January 11, coming in at $900. Both of these monitors come with a 3-year limited warranty for OLED burn-in, which is certainly handy given the increased risk of this issue with OLED displays.
We’re reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
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]]>The post Alienware m16 R2 hands-on: A sleeker gaming laptop design for CES 2024 appeared first on Best News.
]]>Unlike the 2023 M16, which could accommodate RTX 4090 cards, the m16 R2 tops out at an RTX 4070. In return for lowered top-end performance, you get a sleeker and lighter laptop with a larger 90 Whr battery, slimmer bezels, and a larger touchpad – all in a package with a 15 percent smaller footprint.
As before, display options will go up to a 16:10 QHD+ panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, while CPU options are getting a bump to Intel’s latest batch of Core Ultra H-series chips. Meanwhile, by eliminating the old model’s thermal shelf (which was the big protrusion that stuck out past the hinge), Alienware was able to shave off about an inch and a half in depth while also redesigning its cooling system to provide 43% more airflow. Notably, even though the new model is significantly smaller, it still offers a solid selection of ports including Ethernet, a full-size HDMI 2.1 jack, two USB Type-A 3.2 and two USB-C (one of which supports Thunderbolt 4).
There are also a handful of subtle, but much-appreciated, aesthetic changes, including a new RGB lightning loop that runs around the perimeter of the touchpad. That said, if you want to quickly hide your power level, you can instantly turn off all of the laptop’s lighting and set the system to quiet by hitting F2 and activating Alienware’s Stealth Mode. It’s a small but very handy addition that makes it easy for you to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Other small changes and features include user–upgradeable DDRR5 RAM and M.2 SSDs (two slots each), a new FHD IR webcam with support for facial recognition and Windows Hello and AI-powered noise-cancellation for improved video calling. Additionally, all new Alienware laptops for 2024 will receive upgraded far-field microphones, support for Wi-Fi 7 and the latest version (6.1) of the company’s Command Center app.
But most importantly, the new Alienware m16 R2 feels like it’s better designed for gaming on the go. It’s not quite as powerful as last year’s model, but it’s almost a pound and a half lighter (5.75 pounds vs 7.17 pounds). It should have better battery life too, and it’s just easier to carry around thanks to its slimmer dimensions. You still get a premium construction with smooth matte aluminum panels on top and bottom. And if you really want a 16-inch thin-and-light gaming laptop with big graphics, there’s always the Alienware x16, which hasn’t gotten a redesign but will have updated specs for 2024 including support for up to an RTX 4090.
The new Alienware m16 R2 is scheduled to go on sale on January 11 with select configs starting at $1,650 before more options become available later this quarter.
We’re reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
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]]>The post Alienware’s 32-inch 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor is total overkill, but in a good way appeared first on Best News.
]]>Alienware’s $1,299 32-inch QD-OLED monitor, which I’ve been testing for a few months, is notable for being one of the first 4K screens of its size to offer a 240Hz refresh rate. The 27-inch model is even speedier — it hits an eye-bleeding 360Hz. To the average consumer, those numbers probably don’t mean much. But for gamers, higher refresh rates means the ability to effectively see higher framerates and experience smoother gameplay. It could also lead to competitive advantages: You might spot an opponent in Apex Legends a fraction of a second faster, or have an easier time sniping someone over long distances in Overwatch 2.
Alienware’s 32-inch 4K QD-OLED is the pinnacle of gaming monitors, featuring rich colors, deep black levels and impressive contrast. Gameplay also looks silky smooth thanks to its class-leading 240Hz refresh rate.
ProsExcellent QD-OLED screen with deep black levels and rich colorsIncredibly fast 240Hz refresh rateSolid 1,000 nit peak brightnessDolby Vision and HDR supportTons of port options for PCs and consolesConsExpensiveDesign may be too geeky for some$1,299 at Dell
I’ll admit, I was a bit disappointed to see Dell go smaller with its QD-OLED displays this year, but the company’s logic makes sense. Most gamers prefer sticking with 1440p and 4K screens, instead of jumping to slightly unwieldy ultrawide aspect ratios (which also aren’t always supported in games). It’ll also be cheaper for Alienware to produce these monitors in more-common proportions. Competitive players tend to prefer smaller screens so they can have a full view of their gameplay, whereas they may have to turn their heads a bit to take in all the action on an ultrawide screen.
Alienware’s 32-inch 4K QD-OLED (model number AW3225QF) shares the same sci-fi aesthetic as the company’s previous ultrawide. There aren’t any sharp corners across its two-tone black and white case, and it looks like a movie prop that you’d find in an ’80s space opera. Its dual-leg base is fittingly sturdy for a screen this size (more so than monitors that only rely on a single central leg), but its overall shape and rear LEDs also give off Pixar vibes. I could almost see this monitor hopping around my office when I close the door, just like Buzz Lightyear.
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Alienware 32 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor rear view
While I love Alienware’s retro look, it’s admittedly not as refined as Apple’s Studio Display, which is a glorious work of brushed metal art. Then again, that screen is only 27 inches, costs $1,599 and doesn’t support high refresh rates for gaming, so the Alienware is a far better value. Dell also gives you all the ports you’d need: A DisplayPort connection with 240Hz support; HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120Hz console gaming; HDMI eArc/Arc to connect to soundbars and receivers; USB-C 3.2 with power charging; three USB-A 3.2 downstream ports; and a USB-B upstream connection to your PC.
The Alienware’s QD-OLED panel has all of the benefits of OLED — inky dark blacks and high contrast — along with the power of Quantum Dots, allowing for richer colors and potentially greater brightness. The most striking thing about the 32-inch monitor is that games and movies look like they’re practically painted on. It’s like a direct digital feed to your eyeballs. An anti-reflective coating keeps distracting ambient light out of sight, while its ability to cover 99 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut makes colors appear rich and vibrant.
There’s also support for Dolby Vision and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, both of which mean you can expect deep black levels in games and movies, while very bright elements in the same scene are well-balanced. The monitor supports 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is enough to make your eyes tear up while staring at the sun in Halo Infinite (Pro-tip: don’t do this in real life). Most LCD-based 4K TVs are far brighter, but those are better-suited to living rooms where you’re sitting far away, rather than a screen that’s just a foot or two away from your eyes.
As a gaming monitor, the 32-inch Alienware QD-OLED excelled at everything I threw at it. Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077 and Helldivers 2 all looked incredible, with eye-searingly bright highlights and bold-yet-realistic colors. During some sessions, it almost felt like I was truly seeing those games for the first time. I noticed details in my Halo character’s armor I completely missed on other displays, and the neon glow of Cyberpunk‘s Night City almost leaped off the screen. Mostly, though, I just felt completely immersed in whatever I was playing. It was as if the edges of the monitor bled away and their digital worlds were being directly injected into my eyeballs. Or maybe I’ve just been playing too much Helldivers 2.
I knew from the start that I wouldn’t be reaching 240 fps in 4K with most titles (even while running on an RTX 4080 Super and Ryzen 7900X), but the 32-inch Alienware still delivered smooth gameplay in Halo Infinite while I hovered around 130 fps. (You can also thank NVIDIA’s G-SYNC tech for that, since it locks in the refresh rate to avoid screen tearing and lag issues.) 4K gaming becomes more palatable when you’re upscaling titles using NVIDIA’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR technology, but even then it’s still tough to crack 150 fps or more. I had to play most games in 1440p to go beyond 200 fps. (For fast-paced shooters and racing games, I’d much rather have a higher refresh rate than a minuscule 4K fidelity bump.)
While super-fast 4K gaming is a bit unrealistic at the moment, it may become more feasible as GPUs get beefier and upscaling tech becomes even more efficient. The Alienware 32-inch QD-OLED is ready for that future. The real question for gamers today, though, is if it’s worth shelling out $1,299 just to be primed for what’s to come. It’s still a fantastic display, and looks great while watching films and putzing around the web. Text looked crisp and clear, and that crazy high refresh rate makes scrolling through websites silky smooth. As with most monitors though, it’s worth waiting a bit to see how it depreciates. The excellent 34-inch Alienware QD-OLED ultrawide also launched at $1,299 two years ago, but now you can nab it for $900.
Like Alienware’s QD-OLED ultrawide before it, the company’s 32-inch 4K gaming monitor is a marvel, with excellent brightness, contrast and rich color depth. It’s so immersive that at times it feels more like a virtual window than a mere screen. It’s also completely overkill for most games. But for the few that can justify the price, it’ll be a worthwhile gaming investment for years to come.
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