Compare ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27ACDNG vs Dell Alienware AW2523HF

Individual OLED pixels eliminate the zone-transition and halo artifacts associated with conventional local-dimming backlights.

The absence of effective local dimming leaves HDR unable to show bright highlights beside deep blacks.

The integrated KVM is a practical benefit for using one keyboard and mouse with a desktop and laptop, even if initial configuration is needed.

Despite several video inputs, the missing KVM makes it less convenient to share a keyboard and mouse among connected computers.

Deep blacks and vivid QD-OLED color create dramatic HDR images, particularly in dark scenes; bright full-screen scenes and some tone-mapping choices are less convincing.

Basic HDR support does not deliver meaningful high-dynamic-range impact. Reviewers repeatedly point to weak contrast, no effective dimming and limited color range.

Pixel-level light control delivers exceptionally strong dark-scene contrast and convincing image depth without LCD-style backlight halos.

Contrast earns both above-average-for-IPS praise and clear criticism beside OLED or VA. Dark content still lacks the depth needed for cinematic presentation.

Its combination of deep blacks, bright accents and vivid color makes both SDR and HDR images exceptionally appealing.

Colorful, sharp-enough SDR action looks good for esports; weaknesses in dark scenes, high-end color and fine detail prevent a premium all-purpose image.

It stands out among several QD-OLED competitors in SDR and can deliver striking small HDR peaks, but broad bright HDR scenes remain comparatively dim.

Measurements and impressions generally point to strong brightness for a 1080p esports screen, although one reviewer wanted a punchier presentation.

Some tests find near-reference accuracy without calibration, while others recommend tuning specific modes for the best sRGB or HDR results.

Accuracy is generally considered solid for gaming and can improve with adjustment; a few reviewers found the default temperature or individual colors less convincing.

The joystick-based menus offer lots of control and are generally easy to navigate; desktop software adds a more convenient alternative.

The centered joystick and accessible shortcut menus are easy to navigate, even if the graphics themselves look dated or pixelated.

Adaptive sync generally keeps games tear-free and responsive, although fluctuating frame rates can introduce OLED flicker and mitigation tradeoffs.

FreeSync operation is broadly praised, and multiple testers found G-SYNC-compatible mode worked over DisplayPort. It does not have a native NVIDIA G-SYNC module.

Fine shadow nuances remain visible alongside bright accents, taking advantage of OLED's pixel-by-pixel light control.

Weak blacks and HDR shadow crushing can obscure dark areas, especially in cinematic games.

Measured white and dark-field uniformity is impressively consistent, with little visible discoloration across the tested panels.

A few units showed brightness falloff or brighter corners; the visibility and annoyance vary by sample and content.

Sending it 4K for desktop use produces softer text than native QHD, so the higher accepted input resolution is not a substitute for a native 4K panel.

Support for downscaling a 4K input gives it a modest compatibility advantage for consoles versus some rival esports monitors.

The KVM, docking-friendly USB-C and strong color make light creative and desktop work feasible, despite the static-content tradeoff.

The 24.5-inch Full HD canvas feels cramped for spreadsheets, document editing and multiple simultaneous windows.

QHD strikes a useful balance between visual detail and the frame rates needed for high-refresh gaming, but it cannot match native 4K sharpness.

1080p is a deliberate performance trade-off: easier to drive at esports frame rates, but noticeably less crisp than 1440p for games and work.

Truly deep blacks are a highlight in dark rooms, but ambient light can turn them grayish or purple on this QD-OLED panel.

Fast-IPS blacks lack the depth of OLED or VA displays. Dark scenes can look gray, flat, or washed out despite a few more favorable contrast impressions.

The broad QD-OLED gamut produces exceptionally vivid reds and rich colors, with sRGB clamping available when restraint matters more than saturation.

Standard sRGB performance is adequate for SDR games, while the narrower DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB coverage leaves richly colored and professional work behind wider-gamut alternatives.

Games and photos look crisp at QHD, and VividPixel can assist text; native 4K screens remain sharper for desktop fine detail.

1080p leaves text and fine interface elements less crisp than modern 1440p displays, even though fast gaming remains enjoyable.

The semi-glossy finish keeps images crisp and colorful without the grain of heavy matte coatings, though it trades off some glare resistance.

The matte surface reduces glare but can create an oil-slick texture on bright white desktop areas, usually not noticeable in games.

The 1440p resolution is more achievable at high frame rates than 4K, but taking full advantage of 360Hz still demands fast games and a suitably capable PC.

To benefit fully from 360Hz, games need unusually high and stable frame rates. Several reviewers struggled to approach the panel's ceiling even on capable systems.

Photoshop images appear detailed and richly colored, while calibration and sRGB options help make the display suitable for serious image work.

Casual work is possible, but the limited 1080p workspace and gamut are poor fits for detailed or color-critical image editing.

Black-frame insertion sharpens motion at 120Hz or 180Hz, but the substantial brightness loss and inability to combine it with VRR or HDR limit its appeal.

The absence of a dedicated backlight-strobing or black-frame-insertion mode is a recurring complaint, particularly alongside competitors built for maximum motion clarity.

The coating keeps some reflections under control but cannot entirely overcome direct light, and stronger illumination can raise black levels.

The matte anti-glare coating controls room reflections well, helping maintain visibility in bright spaces.

OLED contrast and color make story-driven games striking, but 360Hz is often unnecessary and bright-scene HDR can be less compelling than higher-resolution alternatives.

The narrow gamut, limited resolution and gray blacks reduce immersion in richly detailed or moody single-player titles, although one owner enjoyed the compact view.

The screen assembly looks and feels sturdy, but opinions split over the more ordinary plastic stand and its fit with the premium ROG aesthetic.

The sturdy materials, smooth adjustments and refined gray finish make the monitor feel more expensive than some competing gaming designs.

Routing behind the stand is basic, and one hands-on setup found cables hanging visibly when the monitor was raised.

A channel through the stand helps tidy cables, but some owners find the routing or visibility of the power cord less elegant than expected.

1440p at 27 inches looks sharp in games and photographs, but text is not as finely defined as on higher-density 4K OLED displays.

About 90 pixels per inch makes small text and fine edges visibly coarse, even though many esports players accept the trade-off.

There is a substantial collection of crosshairs, frame counters, shadow enhancements and custom controls, with more tuning options than several competitors.

Presets, a frame-rate counter, crosshair and AlienVision modes add choice, though some features seem gimmicky and the lack of strobing is noticeable.

Multiple HDR modes make it possible to prioritize peak highlights or a steadier image, but none is ideal for every brightness level.

Several HDR modes are available, but added edge enhancement makes the Movie and Game options less attractive than Desktop.

PS5 and Xbox can take advantage of HDMI 2.1, 120Hz and compatible VRR/HDR modes, though accepted 4K signals are displayed at native 1440p.

The monitor can work with consoles, and one enthusiast enjoyed the experience, but other reviewers find the 1080p, HDMI 2.0 and 360Hz-PC focus poor value for modern consoles.

QD-OLED's self-emissive contrast, vivid color and responsiveness are central to the appeal, though brighter rooms can expose its characteristic raised blacks.

Fast IPS combines responsive gaming with wide viewing angles and reasonable color, though it cannot match deeper-black panel technologies.

The overall experience is strongly praised for fast, gorgeous gaming and abundant features, with lighting, HDR brightness and value providing the principal caveats.

Feedback is favorable when the display is judged as a competitive gaming specialist, but a minority question whether 360Hz justifies its compromises and price.

Two HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort, USB-C and multiple USB connections form a flexible setup for PCs, consoles and peripherals.

DisplayPort, dual HDMI, multiple USB-A ports and audio outputs provide useful flexibility; missing USB-C is the most common connectivity limitation.

Colors and contrast hold up impressively from off-center positions, giving a forgiving viewing sweet spot.

Fast IPS provides consistently good off-axis viewing, helping color and clarity hold together while moving around the desk.

FreeSync, G-SYNC Compatible and HDMI VRR give good support across modern hardware, though some settings require care to avoid disabling the feature.

FreeSync works across supported connections, while NVIDIA variable refresh worked in multiple tests over DisplayPort despite lacking native G-SYNC hardware.

Fast transitions and 360Hz make moving detail look unusually sharp and stable, with little visible smearing.

Extremely fluid motion is a standout strength, though a few testers note residual blur and rivals with strobing can look cleaner.

The stand feels solid during adjustments, with smooth travel and little reported looseness or wobble.

Most praise the secure, wobble-free stand, though one owner saw tilt when a headset hung on the side.

The 27-inch flat screen balances gaming immersion with a manageable amount of desk space, and its size is praised as practical for QHD pixel density.

The revised base generally leaves useful room for a mouse and keyboard, although one owner still found the stand chunkier than slim productivity designs.

High refresh, flexible video inputs and adaptive-sync support suit powerful PCs particularly well, with access to the monitor's full 360Hz speed.

DisplayPort-driven 360Hz and responsive controls work best on high-frame-rate PCs; ordinary systems may leave much of the capability unused.

The native 360Hz panel delivers wonderfully fluid motion, especially over 240fps; that advantage shrinks in slower games or on consoles.

360Hz delivers exceptionally fluid play and a low-latency feel, but several reviewers find the improvement over 240Hz subtle unless frame rates stay very high.

360Hz operation, near-instant response and low lag are excellent for shooters and esports when the PC can deliver high frame rates.

Rapid 360Hz refresh, low lag and responsive pixel transitions make this a strong esports specialist, provided the PC can sustain high frame rates.

Near-instant OLED transitions keep action crisp with exceptionally low blur and very little meaningful pixel-response delay.

Pixel transitions are fast enough for responsive play and minimal perceived blur, with some dissent about whether this IPS is quicker than tuned 240Hz competitors.

A standard power cable connects directly to the monitor, avoiding a separate external power brick and making cable replacement straightforward.

An internal power supply avoids a bulky external brick and makes setup neater.

Racing mode receives praise for natural balance, while certain stylized presets look exaggerated or poorly calibrated without adjustment.

There are many genre and color presets to customize, but some enhancement modes create distracting sharpening or edge effects.

Three USB-A ports and the upstream connections add useful peripheral access, especially alongside the KVM for a two-computer desk.

Four USB-A ports add useful peripheral connections, and some users appreciate that charging power remains available without the upstream data cable.

Height, tilt, swivel and full portrait pivot are generous and generally smooth, although one assessment finds the maximum height merely average.

Height, tilt, swivel and dual-direction pivot make positioning easy; a tall user found the maximum height insufficient.

The package is generous, with multiple video and USB cables, cleaning supplies and a mounting adapter that make first setup easier.

The bundled DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort and USB cables feel useful and higher quality than expected.

Controls feel immediate, with measured low processing delay that makes the monitor highly responsive in fast games.

Lag is consistently described as extremely low, translating to near-instant feedback in twitch shooters and fast mouse movements.

A supplied VESA adapter and standard 100×100mm support make monitor arms and wall mounting straightforward.

Standard 100×100 mm mounting and a readily detachable stand make aftermarket arm installation practical.

Moving objects remain clean and well defined, with minimal smearing or overshoot even during rapid action.

Most testers saw remarkably little trailing at high refresh, though aggressive overdrive can introduce inverse ghosting.

Full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 connections are a genuine advantage for modern consoles and PCs, adding flexibility over some competing OLED monitors.

The lack of HDMI 2.1 matters little to some 1080p PC gamers but weakens its appeal as a modern-console or high-bandwidth display.

A three-year burn-in-inclusive warranty offers reassurance, but actual coverage and conditions depend on the buyer's region.

The cited three-year US coverage and exchange options sound reassuring, but policies can vary by region and seller.

Feature-rich 360Hz OLED performance is appealing at a discount, while full-price comparisons with cheaper 240Hz panels and newer OLEDs require care.

Pricing below some premium 360Hz rivals earns praise, particularly on sale; others view a cheaper 240Hz or sharper 1440p monitor as the better use of money.

Stand parts snap or screw together quickly, and the included mounting adapter eases the move to a monitor arm.

Tool-free assembly and an easy locking stand make initial installation straightforward.

Extensive gamut, gamma, color-temperature and saturation adjustments make the image highly configurable; the best presets differ according to the task.

Custom color settings give useful white-balance and saturation adjustments, but there is no dedicated sRGB clamp and optimal accuracy may need calibration.

The screen housing and mechanical parts generally feel solid; some find the stand's plastic finish less premium than similarly priced rivals.

Sturdy plastics, a substantial base and well-fitted construction earn consistent praise, with little flex or creaking during normal adjustment.

The 27-inch format is comfortable for normal desk gaming, though some users want a larger, higher-resolution option.

The 24.5-inch size keeps gameplay compact and focused but feels small to those accustomed to larger gaming or productivity panels.

Thin top and side borders make the monitor look tidy and help it sit neatly next to a second display.

Thin side and top borders support the clean appearance and reduce visual clutter at the desktop.

A futuristic ROG rear shell and customizable lighting look distinctive, while the comparatively plain plastic stand divides opinion.

The restrained gray Alienware styling, slim bezels and sculpted rear receive widespread praise without the brash RGB look of some rivals.

Some measurements show impressively accurate gamma in the right preset, while others find noticeable errors in several alternative modes.

One test praised near-perfect gamma while another found the factory setting a little high; settings allow some correction.

The oversized crosshair and centrally placed vision filters divide opinion, with several gamers finding them distracting rather than helpful.

Uniform Brightness can tame distracting changes as windows or bright scenes change, though it reduces peak output. Several tests find the default behavior less intrusive than on rival QD-OLEDs.

Adjustable Shadow Boost can expose dark gameplay details without excessively washing out highlights.

DisplayPort is the way to unlock 360Hz and usable NVIDIA variable refresh; HDMI has a lower maximum refresh rate.

Viewing more than one source is useful, though some accounts distinguish between available picture-in-picture and missing side-by-side options.

Some samples showed little or no bleed; other testers noticed glow or uneven patches, usually more visible in dark scenes than in active gaming.

Pixel-level OLED illumination keeps bright objects crisp against dark surroundings, without the glowing halos common to some backlit LCDs.

The illuminated rear logo gives the chassis a distinctive gamer look and offers customizable effects, but it is too subtle to meaningfully light up a wall.

There are no integrated speakers, a convenience drawback for anyone without a headset or separate desktop audio.

ASUS supplies extensive pixel cleaning, shifting and static-logo controls plus burn-in warranty coverage, but none removes the inherent risk of permanent marks.

The unboxing impression is positive about the simple, easy-to-follow printed manual.

Its OLED black-frame insertion can improve clarity at 120Hz and 180Hz; the loss of brightness, HDR and variable refresh makes it a niche alternative to normal 360Hz operation.

Molded-pulp recyclable packaging avoids crumbly foam and made a favorable impression during setup.

The menu provides convenient timers and a frame-rate display as small gaming extras.

The 10-bit panel delivers fine tonal steps and smooth gradients that complement both gaming and creative work.

Small HDR lights pop against true black, while larger highlights can dim or roll off, depending on the mode and content.

Easy-to-reach audio jacks beneath the screen and an extra output by the rear connections simplify headset hookups.

A retractable side hook wins praise for keeping a headset close at hand without taking up more desk space.

Static logos, taskbars and other fixed elements still present a risk of image retention or eventual burn-in, despite the monitor’s protective routines.

Compared with more expensive G-SYNC-module models, the missing NVIDIA Reflex Latency Analyzer takes away a specialized diagnostics feature.

Fast and Super Fast settings offer clean motion; Extreme can produce extra overshoot, so reviewers differ on whether its last bit of speed is worthwhile.

The protected packaging and tidy unboxing experience repeatedly impress, with recyclable materials and secure fitting mentioned positively.

A phone slot in the stand is surprisingly useful and can accommodate even some large handsets with cases.

The unboxing experience suggests a lighter-than-expected panel that is straightforward to lift and mount.

The integrated power supply uses a standard, easy-to-replace mains cable rather than a proprietary external adapter.

Changing certain HDR or flicker controls can unexpectedly exit HDR and require re-enabling it in the game, a frustrating setup quirk.

Third-generation QD-OLED reduces colored outlines around letters, but fine text remains less clean than on a conventional LCD and sensitivity varies.

A top-mounted threaded socket is convenient for placing a compatible microphone, camera or light above the display.

Up to 90W charging is a meaningful convenience for laptops and portable devices and a welcome addition to a fast gaming monitor.

Two conveniently front-adjacent ports avoid reaching behind the monitor every time a keyboard, mouse or charger is connected.

Flicker can be visible during fluctuating frame rates in dark games or menus; the mitigation settings may narrow VRR's operating range and cause other compromises.

The separate power button and straightforward joystick arrangement earn praise for quick access to common controls.

Unusually extensive HDR menus let owners adjust brightness, contrast and color rather than accepting a locked preset; tweaking can alter accuracy.

True Black mode can track its target well, but higher-peak modes trade accuracy and brightness behavior, with occasional clipping or dimming complaints.

DisplayWidget offers a convenient desktop interface for settings and shortcuts, making frequent picture adjustments easier than joystick-only navigation.

Flicker-free and low-blue-light options offer flexibility, while OLED anti-flicker settings can help some situations at the expense of VRR behavior.