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    Alienware 17 r4 60HZ 1080p display upgrade question

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Djommar, May 7, 2017.

  1. Djommar

    Djommar Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was wondering if it was possible to upgrade my 1080p display to maybe a 1440p 120hz display or 4k 120hz? The one i have now is okay but it has a lot of back light bleed and insane screen tearing.


    Thanks!
     
    Djommar, May 7, 2017
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  2. gthirst

    gthirst Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm in the same boat, would like to know.
     
    gthirst, May 7, 2017
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  3. SUADE8880

    SUADE8880 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes but the two screens your are referring to are very hard to obtain much less impossible because there are no 4k 120hz at the moment. The updated fixed version of the 1440p are only available through Dell and because it is too new they are very hard to find. You can upgrade to the original 1440p screen (AUO B173QTN01) which has the horizontal line problems or to the 4k 60hz (AUO B173ZAN01). Both can be bought on Ebay for very cheap. Both upgrades will also require a display 40 pin cable from Dell.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2017
    SUADE8880, May 7, 2017
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  4. Djommar

    Djommar Notebook Enthusiast

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    You the man! Exactly what I needed thank you! How would I go about getting the cable though? Is it only through Dell or can I get it through Amazon or ebay?

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
     
    Djommar, May 7, 2017
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  5. SUADE8880

    SUADE8880 Notebook Evangelist

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    Very hard to find else where but directly from Dell. Less than $15. Part# WTNR3. Otherwise there is one on ebay from the UK but way overprice.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DELL-...696000?hash=item2a7e116680:g:XmQAAOSwol5Y17ZC
     
    SUADE8880, May 8, 2017
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  6. Djommar

    Djommar Notebook Enthusiast

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    Perfect! Thank you! Dell won't ship to P.O Boxes or US territories which I'm from haha. Little expensive but exactly what I'm looking for! Again thank you! Have a good day

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
     
    Djommar, May 8, 2017
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  7. Djommar

    Djommar Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'll post over here once I'm done with the upgrade!

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
     
    Djommar, May 8, 2017
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  8. weavenation

    weavenation Newbie

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    it can be done, i bought the 1070 variant with 1080p and 60hz display and i use an ultrawide at home and treat it as a desktop. but i honestly just wanted to try it. i bought the screen off newegg for ~100 bucks and i found out i also needed to get a the proper cable the one listed above is correct wntr3 or something similar. you can find it on ebay right now for~30 bucks. i had to take mobo out and the display assembly out and then had to partially disassemble the hinge to route the cable through. but after about 2 hours of work for the 3rd time. i had everything seated right and cables routed properly and i turned it on and walah. 1440p at 120hz. its game changing. its not easy however and i broke the connector on the cable for the 1080p cable when i was trying to reconnect the display after i realized i needed a different cable.
     
    weavenation, Aug 3, 2017
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  9. shine2007

    shine2007 Notebook Enthusiast

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    helo..
    after upgrading screen from fhd to uhd,is there any issues or bug?
     
    shine2007, Aug 10, 2017
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  10. shine2007

    shine2007 Notebook Enthusiast

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    helo
    how about the upgrade?do you sucess?
    im planning to purchase 4k lcd for my AW17R4 1050TI
     
    shine2007, Aug 31, 2017
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  11. Djommar

    Djommar Notebook Enthusiast

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    Didn't end up doing it. Ended up selling the laptop for a more portable one. I do hear however that it works and it's quite easy along as you have the right parts! If you are planning on doing it good luck!

    Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
     
    Djommar, Sep 22, 2017
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  12. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Guys I am also interest on that, can you give me the model specific of this 1440p 120hz screen?
     
    gunbolt, Oct 11, 2017
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  13. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    gunbolt, Oct 11, 2017
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  14. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Guys I am really interested in to doing that.
    Somebody who had this screen did this change?
    Thanks
     
    gunbolt, Oct 16, 2017
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  15. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Guys, does anybody have tried to do that to confirm it works?
     
    gunbolt, Nov 5, 2017
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  16. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Vasudev, Nov 5, 2017
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  17. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    If the display is a genuine B173QTN01.4 and being used with the WTNR3 cable on a system with the Tobi module and not the IR Tobi , then it will work just fine.
     
    bloodhawk, Nov 5, 2017
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  18. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Hello, can you explain me better about this Tobi module or IR tobi?

    Mine R4 has a black piano toolbar right above the screen which blinks res because of the Tobi eye tracker, and inside it there is a flat cable which connects the screen on the motherboard called tobii.

    Thanks


    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Nov 6, 2017
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  19. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    Is the black bar under the screen or top?
     
    bloodhawk, Nov 6, 2017
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  20. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Is the black bar under the screen.


    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Nov 6, 2017
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  21. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    Ahh sweet , then those parts should work just fine. I did the same upgrade on my own machine. Just make the panel you are buying is a genuine AUO panel for the AW and not a compatible one. Im using the exact same WTNR3 cable with the UHD panel as well.
     
    bloodhawk, Nov 6, 2017
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  22. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Good to know, thanks!
    Did you find the pars on ebay? Can you recommend me a seller?


    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Nov 7, 2017
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  23. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    bloodhawk, Nov 7, 2017
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  24. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Hey Sir would you mind to help me regarding the correct model? I can see several variants

    https://www.ebay.com/sch/Laptop-Scr...&_dcat=31569&Brand=AUO&_trksid=p2046732.m1684

    I see B173QTN0 1.2, 1.4 another with F, but all with this message:

    Notice:If your notebook resolution is not dell 3840x2560 or 2560x1440,Please don't buy it!

    Do you have the exactly specification of the screen that you bought?

    Thanks!
     
    gunbolt, Nov 9, 2017
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  25. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    I got the B173QTN01.4. This is the newer version of the 120Hz panel without the pixel/banding issue.
    From what i know the reason they put up that message is because Dell has 2 different part numbers for their 40 pin cables that are used with the 4k panel and the 3k panel. I have both the cables, but havent really hand the chance to try the second one out yet. Currently im using my AW17 R4 with the 4k panel and the WTNR3 cable.
    B173QTN01.4 also worked fine for me with the WTNR3 cable.
     
    bloodhawk, Nov 9, 2017
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  26. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Ok, so I will buy the newest revision along with the 40 pin cable.

    The replacement process was done by you without any issues?


    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Nov 9, 2017
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  27. bloodhawk

    bloodhawk Derailer of threads.

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    Yeah. But make sure you buy the right cable for the right model. My model is the one with the dedicated Tobii sensor and not the Tobii on top of the screen, so WTNR3 works. Maker sure yours is the same or get the appropriate cable if its not.
     
    bloodhawk, Nov 9, 2017
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  28. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    yeah, mine version has this dedicated sensor.
    Thanks
     
    gunbolt, Nov 10, 2017
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  29. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    So hey, I have been placed an order for the 1.4 version of the panel (latest) and also the cable, 2 different suppliers but both from China, when the parts arrive I will let you guys know.

    It will take 30-40 daya aprox.




    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Nov 12, 2017
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  30. gunbolt

    gunbolt Notebook Guru

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    Guys I am still waiting to receive the items


    Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk Pro
     
    gunbolt, Dec 30, 2017
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  31. weavenation

    weavenation Newbie

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    It does work. Only downside is no gsync. I can email you a picture of you would like our it with 120 he and 1440p if you would like
     
    weavenation, Dec 30, 2017
    #31