Swapped Ugly QHD To An Awesome UHD Display Alienware R4 Tutorial

Don't suppose anyone knows where these panels can be sourced from in the uk? Doesn't seem to be many around, and the ones I have come across are £100-150 on ebay.

There's a QHD 17r4 on the dell outlet but I'm really keen for a 100% adobeRGB screen for photography work, and would also like something a bit more powerful than the xps 15 9560 for 3d work

On the other hand, is this procedure possible with the xps 15 9560? Going from FHD to UHD. I'm assuming the infinity edge display is harder to take apart than the large bezel on the alienware

then again, it's not long until black Friday which seems to be coming to the UK in a big way, maybe i'll just wait till then to see if any good deals come up...

 

Hello Everyone, I have both a 17 r3 with an UHD IPS and a 17 r4 with the QHD NT display can I swap between them?

 

@SUADE8880
Thanks for this write up! Do you (or anybody else for that matter) know of successful swaps to 4K from 1080p? I’ve found a panel and a cable, I just don’t want to spring for them if there’s an issue with firmware or anything.

Thanks!

ETA: 17r4, gtx1070, 6700hq, 1080p panel w/tobii

 

Hello Aldaris
Today I bought at Ebay the exactly screen model and the cable, so regarding the change because of the cable change as well you had to remove the motherboard or the procedure applied was the same as we have seen on this post? Open starting with the bezel and a couple of screws?
Can you describe the procedure please?
Thanks


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Sorry for the late reply. There are two versions of the 40 pin cable to get depending on which Tobii eye set up you have. The common one is the eye detector below the screen. Part #
WTNR3.

I will update soon with the new 4K screen coming with Gsync enabled!!!!

 

Wait thats a thing? Whens that come out? If it's already out, do you have a part number or link? I'm still stuck with the QHD with banding issues because alienware is refusing to fix it. I was gonna just move to the same screen but if they're releasing a 4k with gsync then Ill wait for that lol.

Also that being said, I'm having some issues in school with DPI scaling on certain programs were using (Unity being a big culprit here), is it possible to go from the QHD to 1080p? I know theyre different connectors but are you able to go from a 40 pin to the other one?

 

HI, will this work with a msi ge73vr? Its not a uhd display or anything. Just a FHD display. Will the cables still work?

 

Probably not. Most fhd screens have a different connector, which requires a new cable. MSI has a parts Dept, so you should be able to source one.

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So by changing the connector i should be able to fit it?

 

So I recently purchased an Alienware 17 R4 to replace my aging M18 R2.

I chose the FHD option thinking the newer screen technology would be fine for general web surfing and you tubing, couldn’t have been more wrong. I believe the clarity issue is that the M18 R2 has a smooth reflective screen as where the 17 R4 has rough antiglare coating (see pics)

My question is, do the 17 R4 QHD or UHD screens have the same smooth reflective surface as my M18 or are they too rough and antiglare like the 17 R4 FHD?

Thanks all, great thread





This is the M18 R2


This is the 17 R4 with FHD

 

The edge to edge glossy screens died with the mx series laptops. The only way to ensure to get it now is by buying a touch model. You could also replace the matte panel with a glossy one, provided you can source a proper panel.

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Thanks Derek, a quick check of dell's website produced zero results for any 17in touchscreen laptops.
I might try the UHD option, just completely disappointed at this stage

 

UHD version of the AW17 is definitely matte finish. I don't think there's a 17 inch touch model. The only 17 inch touchscreen gaming laptop I know if it's the Razer blade pro. If you could source that panel somehow, you could swap it out

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Why on earth would you want glossy anyway. It's way too reflective! These new panels are the best in the business!

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UHD with Gsync is already an option available on Dell website. I will update soon when I'm able to verify that the correct screen coming has Gsync enabled.

QHD to 1080p will require the 30pin cable. You can get it here... https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=24012

 

QHD usually has the same cable as UHD. I just did a direct swap on my Aorus x7.

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Hi, after i swapped my FHD to QHD.. i lost the ability to control the brigthness ... any help??

 

Did you swap the 30pin video cable for the 40pin?

 

WOW!! Just confirmed that the new AUO B173ZAN01.2 UHD screen is GSYNC enabled!! Been using the QHD and I forgot how beautiful the UHD screen is. Typically I go with matte but I opted this time with glossy and that just enhanced the colors and sharpness even more. Now with Gsync, gameplay is that much more butterly smooth. Not 120hz smooth but it will make it harder to choose since this UHD is the best in the market and is even better now with Gsync.

 

Where did you source yours?

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Just want to confirm that part number is for the glossy screen? if so im getting it. hate the matte

 

It's the same part number B173ZAN01.2 for either matte or glossy. You must request for glossy from this seller because they carry both. And boy, you are in for a treat if you like the glossy and glass like finish. It just makes everything pops and beautiful!!!! No more haze and fuzzy from matte.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4K-UHD-17-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

They carry both matte or glossy.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4K-UHD-17-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

oh trust, I know

I buy a new laptop every five years and the last two have been glossy, love em

thanks for the link, much appreciated

 

Is there any way to get G-Sync if i come from AW 17R4 - FHD 60Hz

 

No.

The motherboard is optimus enabled. You can only get gsync enabled motherboard if you buy the systems with gsync screens direct.

 

What would be best option for panel replacement 1080p glossy?

 

Did

 

I agree semi glossy does give better contrasts over matte - seems only apple use glossy these days. What pin size is it 40 pin? Have you an image to see how glossy the panel is ? Also this panel version seems to be used in dell Inspiron but I can't find details of it on auos website I.e response time and brightness etc thanks

 

Funny this thread should show up. I just finished the swap Friday evening and all I can say is WOW, love the glossy.

Took many weeks for the new LCD panel and 40 pin cable to show up from china but it was well worth the wait because my 17 R4 is now perfect. only issue I had was with the camera \ eye tracker thing just above the LCD panel, the cable that braches off the video cable would not plug into it, and that's just fie with me because I never use my cam anyway.

Don't forget to transfer the double sided tape from the old LCD panel to the new, this got me when I was trying to refit the bezel.

Purchased the LCD panel from these guys, great customer service. send them a message confirming they have the glossy in stock and then request it upon checkout. https://www.ebay.com/usr/notebookaid?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

I was going to take a pic of the back of the LCD panel but I totally forgot, want to say the number was B173ZAN01.1

ill try and get a pic posted later today

 

Where there any dead or stuck pixels. I assume you came from 1080p as you changed cables. I currently have the auo 4k panel but conserving getting the glossy panel. Pic would be good to see how glossy it is .. Thx

 

ok here she is, pics don't do it justice

 

What's the screen specs?

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Looks vibrant. Any stuck or dead pixels or light bleed compared to your previous panel? I wonder how it compares to the other auo versions 0.1 and 1.0 for specs...? Can you use hwinfo to get panel info ?

 

Not sure what the specs are my only prerequisite was that it be glossy

 

Panel is even better that the old matte, but that's my opinion im sure others might disagree
good idea about checking hardware info, will look and get back to you

 

Do we have an option now that the seller listed on the last page is out of stock?

 

Just message them. They will get them back in stock

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Thanks for the guide here, I have switched out my 1440p panel to the B173ZAN01.0 model without, GSYNC also worked flawlessly which was a nice bonus.

I do have a problem with the screen though, it appears to have some sort of adaptive contrast built in where the screen will go brighter when the screen content is light and dull when the screen is mostly dark - e.g games and stuff. I have tried most of the windows functions but there doesn't seem to be a way to switch it off through settings.

Has anyone experienced this and managed to fix it? I have ordered a B173ZAN01.2 panel, but if I can get the older one working then that would be ideal, thanks!

 

Same here and it's very annoying.

 

Given up on this one for the time being, seems like all the B173ZAN01.2 are sold out and the B173ZAN01.0 panels have the auto dimming 'feature'.

Shame because its a fantastic screen otherwise.

 

I found a seller in China for the B173ZAN01.2, got it for 116$ shipped.
Let's wait for it to arrive, check if it's actually what they claim it to be, and see if everything works well, in that case, I'll write here about this seller.

 

Got the monitor.
It looks WAY better than the QHD I had (I especially had complaints about how it displayed dark gray shades), and I also overclocked it to 66Hz.

But, the problem is it's not giving me any gsync option anymore.
I guess I should have double checked with the seller, but from the OP in this thread I just imagined the 1.2 one always comes with gsync.

Anyway, before getting too alarmed, do you guys have any idea why this could happen?

Thanks.

 

Hi all and thanks for all the great info on this thread.
I have a 17 r4 and am fine with 1080p, I just hate the matte finish. Are there any options at all out there for a 1080p glossy replacement screen?
If not, I'll just have to get a uhd and the cable I guess.
Thanks in advance!

 

The new panel might not be gsync certified? Alternatively its worth updating all your drivers.

Did you definitely receive the 1.2 mode?

 

The sticker on it says 1.2 so I guess it should be right.

I tried updating Nvidia drivers and whatever seemed useful from dell's website, but g-sync is still absent.

Any idea about specific things I should try/look for?

 

Genryuu, would you mind sharing your source please and thanks?

 

Anyone found anywhere you can buy a B173ZAN01.2 in the UK? @Genryuu ?

There is one supplier on EBay (tjinspirationsltd) but after talking with them they told me that they do not have the B173ZAN01.2 and would instead be supplying an unspecified 'compatible' model. I have asked them what this model number actually is and they have not replied (which does not inspire confidence). I have also asked Dell if they can supply the B173ZAN01.2 screen but have not heard back from them either!

Seems like this screen is extremely difficult to get hold of, but I *really* want G-Sync to work (and *dont* want the 'auto dimming' feature of the B173ZAN01.0 model). I can't see the difference between 120Hz and 60Hz, but G-Sync is a big improvement...

Or does anyone know of any other 4k screens that fit the chassis and work with G-Sync?

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/17-...6VM-Laptop-Display-3840-2160/32817599647.html

 

From dealing with dell support UK, they won't sell you the required screen, they will want to send their engineer out to fit the new screen you want which will incur a labour cost of about £97