AW15r1 - upgrading FHD to UHD? eDP 30 pin vs. 40 pin?

I have an Alienware 15r1 that currently has the AUO B156HAN01.2 display. It's a great display and is better than the one that came with the laptop ( this one), but I'm wondering about the possibility of upgrading to a UHD panel in the future.

Looking at the specs of the 4k displays though, there's a problem:
http://www.panelook.com/LQ156D1JW04_SHARP_15.6_LCM_overview_23899.html
The connector for this display is eDP 40 pins/4 lanes, and the other 4k displays also have that interface.
The connector for the FHD display is eDP 30 pins/2 lanes

So the question is, does anyone know if the FHD and UHD motherboards used in the AW15 have different connectors? Or does the FHD version have the same 40 pin connector, with unused pins and a different cable?

 

Great question, I'm interested in doing the same thing. I have the Samsung display and I quite like it, but would like to upgrade to the 4k in the future as a project!

Did you get a price for the 4k screen?

 

No, but when I was searching for compatible 4k displays on ebay a while back they were $200-$300, so not cheap.
Looking at this picture here, the "edp" connector in the upper left certainly looks like a 40 pin connector..at least as far as I can tell from zooming in a lot and using the mouse to count pins.
This image is from the same page....and the service tag is visible!

According to its configuration page @ Dell's support site - it shipped with a FHD display. This means that FHD AW15r1's might have the 40 pin connector.

So that means taking a gamble and buying the panel and hoping it is compatible, but the harder part might be finding the right 40 pin eDP cable, since they don't usually come with displays.

 

I'm not sure if this will help, but I took this when I tore my AW15 down to do a repaste!



I didn't know the displays did not come with the cable attached. Are you thinking of using the cable from the original panel?

I'd say the connections on the motherboard are the same across all screen types, FHD or UHD. The cable may be the same then as well, just the UHD uses 4 lanes on the cable and the FHD uses 2, but that's just a guess!

 

Yeah, your photo looks like looks like a 40 pin on the motherboard to me.

I just looked at my LG panel that got swapped out of the AW15, and unfortunately the connector on it looks like it is just 30 pins. When you see it side by side with a photo of the 40 pin, it is visibly more narrow.

In all the times I've received replacement panels to repair laptops at work, I don't think a cable has ever been included. The cables look like they are part of the screen, but they are actually just taped on usually.

 

Right on, so getting the 40 pin to 40 pin cable is probably going to be necessary!

 

It's definitely a 40 pin connector on the MB anyway, I read that eDP can be 44 pin as well, so I double checked!

 

Thanks, I had no idea about 44 pin. I wonder what kind of display would use that?

Anyway, the hardest part about getting the cable is that unlike HP or Lenovo, Dell tends to keep their part numbers/FRU's a secret. There might be a better way that I don't know about, but whenever I call/chat with them they will only talk to me about *my* system, not any other configurations. Maybe if we could find a service tag for a 15 that does have the UHD display, the part number might be find-able on Dell's support site.

 

Hey guys
Am trying to sort this out ..
Back year ago I purchased my laptop and I successfully replaced TN screen with IPS ..
Now I was looking for 4k screen AUO https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...78.html?spm=2114.13010208.99999999.262.BlJLUc
but it has 40 pin eDP 4 lanes .. IPS has 2 lanes .. 30 pin
Is there chance it will work this screen in my laptop ? Will 30 pin to 40 pin adapter cable make it work ?
Thnx

 

You need a 40 to 40pin cable, 4k screen frame tp convert the fhd holes to 4k and ofcourse screen.

 

So on my motherboard is 40 pin going to 30 pin cable ??

 

AS far as I know that is correct indeed. Parts-people.com often sells a full touhscreen 4K display assembly by the way.

 

I disassembled laptop but only to instal ssd..
Looks like will have to dig further to reveal connector n check..
Thnx so much for info and site is just for dell.. I have MSi laptop..