Swapped Ugly QHD To An Awesome UHD Display Alienware R4 Tutorial

I couldn't do it anymore. Looking at my shiny new $3000 laptop and the screen that I look at 99% of the time was ahh killing me so softly. The horizontal striping line debacle is a real issue for my eyes and to many others. Dell is in the midst of addressing the issue but I couldn't wait any longer and took it upon myself and bought my own screen.


UPDATE: AUO B173ZAN01.2 UHD is now available with GSYNC enabled. Panel available in matte or glossy.
AUO B173QTN01.4 QHD is now available without any line issues.


AUO B173ZAN01 IPS UHD
One of the best displays on the market. Quoted from one of the reviews "Not only does the screen cover all the sRGB colors but it scores 100% on the Adobe RGB space as well. In fact, the panel covers a good number of the DCI-P3 and it’s pretty close to Pointer’s Gamut meaning it can reproduce almost all of the natural occurring colors around us."
Check one of the reviews here.... http://laptopmedia.com/review/acer-...nd-advanced-successor-of-the-predator-lineup/
Specs Here.... http://laptopmedia.com/screen/auo-b173zan01-0/


Bought it on Ebay for $89 shipped from China. But it feels like its worth a $1000 bucks in my eyes



So lets start by pulling the LCD bezel apart. There are two tape strips both on top and bottom of the bezel. Just dig your fingernail under one of the corners and give it a nice tug until it start unclipping itself. Work your way around the LCD until the whole thing come apart.


Lets take out all 6 screws. The two lower ones will release the Alienware Light strip. Don't worry about the lcd falling on you after you unscrewed them. The LCD is magnetize to the back cover.


Now lets lower the LCD face down. Always good to rest it on something soft like a piece cloth. Watch out for the LCD cable..


Take out the 40 pin cable and you're done! Work in reverse to put everything back together. About a 30 minute job.


The results are in. It is a huge difference coming from the broken QHD to the UHD display. Its really night and day difference and I couldn't be happier. One look and you know the colors are better in every way. The images are much sharper, the contrast and brightness are a tad better and so is the viewing angle being an IPS display. But the whole idea behind doing this was to no more staring at the darn Horizontal striping filth.

Before with QHD display(Warning: if you're viewing this on QHD display then you may not see the difference)


And now awe....The new UHD display. No more line issues!

 

Great! Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Kudos...

Cheers!

@DeeX, @Mobius 1, @zergslayer69 .... <--- Screen guys....

 

Good job! It IS better that's for sure. The banding is barely visible on mine. If I had not been aware of it, I might even haven't noticed it.

Did you have any issue with Tobii eye tracking system ?
How does G-sync cope with a different screen ?
Did you have to "tell" win10 you swapped or was the new screen detected ?

 

Apart from the banding issue which appears to have been particularly bad on your example (mine was rather unnoticeable) I find the colour and sharpness of the Qhd to be better than the uhd. The Uhd looks washed out. Might just be bad photos...

 

definitely just photos
the 4K uhd display is absolutely the best panel you can buy for a 17" laptop in terms of color reproduction right now (sharp or auo)

 

Great job. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Would this teardown also apply to a 15r3?

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

 

Just plug n play. Win 10 automatically detects it. Just have to adjust your personal own resolution and scaling afterwards.
No issue with Tobii eye tracking.
G-sync should work but I will have to verify that later.

 

Just the photos as I was trying to capture the banding/striping issue close up at a certain angle. The Qhd isn't really bad. It's one of the better TN displays out there besides the banding defect. But it is in no comparison to the 4k IPS UHD once you look at both of them.

 

15R3 has a different display mounting assembly but how you would remove the bezel is the same

 

Thanks Mobius

Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk

 

Nice job! Hope those fixed QHD screens come sooner than later. Couldn't tell from the pictures but did you have to separate the screen half of the laptop from the bottom half? Or was everything swappable with both halves intact?

 

Yep all major cosmetic parts remain intact besides the LCD bezel. Once that is off then it's just a matter of removing 6 screws and that's it. I have to give it to Dell/Alienware for finally making something so easy to do. You can hot swap a screen in this one in 15 minutes or less.

 

@SUADE8880 could you please comment how the scaling looks on UHD? For example Performance Monitor or Services windows. And if you switch to 1920x1080 resolution how blurry is it (blurry fonts etc.)?

I would be most grateful to see some screenshots examples, if possible.

 

I'm currently running it on 4k with 150% scaling. It does a good job for the most part. There are some windows within windows that are not updated to scaling and can be a little blurry. Some programs are like that as well. But boy, when its scale properly it is super sharp. I'll take more screens shots tomorrow since today is the big day for my Seattle Seahawks. I'll be a little tipsy!

 

Please, let us know if there's G-sync option in the NCP)

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

Thank you! Have a nice rest

P.S. Could you please also check if you can switch to the integrated graphics card with this new panel? - Already found the answer - it won't be possible to switch to iGPU. For this both GPUs should be connected to panel through MUX..

 

Since it is embedded with Gsync there won't be Optimus. Gysnc only works sometimes for some reason maybe drivers issue. For some reason the option disappears in Nvidia control panel from time to time.

1080p doesn't look as sharp as native but manageable.

4K native with 150% scaling. Super sharp!! Pictures doesn't do it justice.

 

Ah Dell.. I believe there should be a very simple workaround..
Thank you for the screen shots, I can see the difference. 4k seems to be smaller as you selected 150% scale (200% should match with FHD I guess), which makes everything even more sharper, especially all properly scaled windows with high DPI support.

 

I actually like it on 200% the best so the fonts don't get too small and it appears too be at its sharpest. For now its either Gsync or Optimus. Sad it can't be both.

 

What's the color RGB accuracy now with this new screen? The original one is kinda a disappointment.

Is this swap only possible if you have a QHD/UHD? What if you only have a 1080p screen does this method still apply? It sounds like a lot of value since upgrading the screen cost few hundreds from manufacturer and under$100 for DIY

 

So why didn't Dell offer this from the first place? I just worry that you may have some kind of problem that they know about but we dont. they never offered the 4K panel with the GTX1080

 

It covers 100% Adobe RGB. A pleasant screen to look at and the colors are so accurate that it is good enough to use in photo production.

It's a direct swap from QHD to UHD. Unfortunately upgrading from a 1080p will require a cable change to a 40pin connector which can be easily attained by contacting Dell.

 

There was an outcry when the 1080 was first offered only with QHD. Frank@Alienware tweeted that more display options will come and that at the moment Nvidia has a strangle hold on it's 1080 with Gsync and their approved only displays. Either the display work or it doesn't turn on so there should be no problems down the road.

 

Dell would simply change the connector as long as you ask them? Wouldn't the swap void the warranty? Wouldn't Dell resist us from doing this?

 

You will have to purchase the cable separately from their parts department. Dell is pretty good on honoring warranties even after a DIY job. Swapping display panels really isn't too hard but switching cable will add a few more steps. If you're tech savy enough then you'll be just fine.

 

By the way, have you tried checking if G-Sync works on your new UHD display?
Indicator can be enabled here:

 

Gsync does not work properly so far. Tried different drivers and its same. The option disappear and reappear for some odd reason and now I can't get it back on. It could be that the UHD I got is the newest from AUO and the older version B173AN01. 0 is the one currently offer for many laptops with Gsync that works.

 

Nicely done. Any issues with brightness control?

 

Thank you!! Everything else works perfect including brightness control!

 

Not sure if anyone know the part number for the cable? I ordered this and will report back once I get this swapped out.

 

Just talked to Dell and the cable is called ASSY,CBL,EDP,QHD,,AW17R4. Go figure they are out of stock. Wonder where I can get a replacement cable.

 

Were you able to get a part number? Should be five characters long.

 

Ok finally got off the phone again and now they have it in stock

1 WTNR3 Assembly,Cable,Embedded Display Port,QHD,GSYNC,AW17R4 $10.99
Just ordered and once the monitor and cable arrive I will update

 

I'm thinking of getting a 15r3. Anyone knows which model of screen I should get if I want a uhd? Thx!

 

Interesting what OP said about B173AN01. 0 vs B173AN01. 2. I was looking for the B173AN01. 0, but looking on Alibaba the B173AN01. 2 is listed as being a touch screen. I had emailed Sager with questions about the B173AN01. 0, and they responded cryptically that it was the only UHD for now. Does that mean they're going to enable touch screen 4K, or would that feature require a refreshed model?

I emailed more questions to Sager, no one got back to me. It's been just past 2 weeks. I was thinking about buying the NP9873-S when there was a deal, now that deal's over... and I got cold feet cause of Sager's lack of customer service. So I'm checking out Alienware again, if I can get the 4K screen just like you. Despite their problems, at least it seems like Dell is giving attention to their customers. Great find, OP!

 

Can someone post a few pictures of the cable?
I want to see how different they are from the Clevo ones. Mainly because the Clevo ones are stupidly expensive for a cable.

 

you might be right. I looked into this and the sceen B173ZAN01.2 ( https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/17-3-LCD-Screen-Touch-Assembly_60576647213.html) is for a touch screen. it's in the Dell Inspiron 17 7000 (7778) 2-in-1 and it is a touch screen laptop.

 

Have you come across a superior QHD panel or only UHD? And if so, would Gsync stil work?

 

G-Sync will only work if its a G-Sync certified panel. The chances of that happening are very slim.
Regarding the QHD screen, there is only the one AUO screen with 120hz / 5ms.
That same panel shows up in multiple manufacturers computers, so that indicates that is the only panel with that specs out on the market at the moment.
However with that said Dell is working with AUO to get them to fix the panel of the "lines" problem and there will be a revision in Feb/March.

 

10 bucks says the revision has it's own set of unforeseen issues.

I am surprised about it being the only QHD screen - I was under the impression some of the other manufacturers were using a superior QHD? I could be mistaken or may have misread but was sure it was mentioned on another forum. Is there no other QHD screen available with or without Gsync and with or without 120hz? I only ask because I wasn't particularly impressed with the QHD panel on the AW17 (it was a bit underwhelming and didn't seem to have much 'punch' to it if that makes any sense so wondering if when next ordering an A17 it may make more sense to just buy one with a FHD screen and upgrade to a third party QHD with/without gsync + 120hz

 

what's the best UHD screen i can get for the aw15r3? something with 99 srgb and 99 argb would be nice.

 

Does anyone know of another generic cable i can buy. Dell dosent have the cable in stock. I am going from fhd. Already have the new screen just need cable. Will this work? https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=22160

 

Q: can you put a Razer 17.3” IGZO UHD G-Sync, 16:9 ratio, 3840x2160, with LED backlight, with capacitive multi-touch on it?

if so is it better?

 

This is the only 17" QHD panel in the laptop market at the moment.

 

There is another QHD panel, but it is Innolux and 100nits darker...

As to the cable, currently in stock according to the dell chat guy who is selling me said cable. and it is $9.99.


Am I understanding correctly, that if I disable/turn off G-Sync, I get Optimus back?

 

Does that QHD panel you speak of have the same outline dimensions as the AW 17?
If you have a motherboard that has the G-Sync it is my understanding that there is no way to utilize Optimus.
Why would you want to use that anyway? Most people hate Optimus as it routes the signal through the iGPU even when using the dGPU.
Because of this, you lose much control over the dGPU, nVidia control panel features etc, and it also causes some other performance issues and visual issues. (i.e. dreaded diagonal tearing etc)

 

When you find panels that say model numbers like "B173AN01.0 " on places like Ali or eBay, often they are a "compatible" replacement for that model number and not actually the exact panel.
They are basically panels that have the same specs and the same outline dimensions.
I just mention this as it would explain your findings, plus it best to know this information before purchasing.

 

Need some help ordering the B173ZAN01.0 screen.

What is meant by TFT type? A quick google search tells me it isnt the same as IPS.

All the search results on alibaba B173ZAN01.0 displays, like in the link below, are listed as TFT and not IPS. Is it safe to order or should I keep searching elsewhere?

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/AUO-Authentic-Original-17-3-inch_60502689641.html

 

I believe most TFT displays were TN now there are IPS variants as well. As of right now, there should be only one manufacture of these 17" UHD which is from AUO and they are all IPS. You should be good.

 

The panel is an AVHA, the only true IPS panels are from LG, they trademarked it. AVHA and PLS (Samsung) are IPS type displays.