120Hz 3D Screen upgrade for Alienware 17 R1

If you can get past POST then 120hz will work fine as the windows driver is in control of the refresh. The 120 hz panels are 'native' so unlike monitors that are multi-sync it cannot display at 60hz, and why dell went for the 'other' connector to bypass the MUX. If that panel you are looking at IS multi-sync then it should just work with no messing in optimus mode. The iGPU is perfectly capable of outputting at 120hz, just not in the bios tests where VGA compatible microcode on-board is used -NV include it, Intel do not .

My X8 also has the iGPU disabled from factory, and I like that, I'm not into any power saving gimmicks, stuff the environment, that's a problem for the next generation, haha...

 

At left side: Viewsonic 22 inch VS22xxxx & right side Dell 22 inch S2240L Do you need exact model?

 

Ok great explanation! Now I understand exactly the problem.

Well... I sacrificed my wallet. So, I'll see if this panel works or not. If it does, that's amazing news. On the other hand, I'll either return it, or try Windows 8.1 for a few days, or use it as an external HDMI display (but HDMI might not handle 120Hz, again, I'll see...).
Now I have to wait for the package to arrive, I won't be surprised if it takes a month.

 

. I wish you the best of luck, if it works I'm sure a lot of people would be more interested in upgrading to 120hz so please let us know.

As for HDMI I think you'll be out of luck. I was told that only the mini-DP (underlying technology is Dual Link DVI) can provide a 120hz signal externally, fingers crossed for a good outcome .

 

Yeah, if this thing works, it's just wonderful! Not only for me, but for everyone willing to upgrade their Aliens to a 980M.
I'll need luck for that stuff, thank you very much! Don't worry, I'll keep you posted.

 

Just for the info ,

Actually the Maxwell + AW + UEFI / CSM is a deadly combo, Maxwell is compatiable with non-UEFI (Phoenix Legacy on M15x and older models) / CSM + UEFI (Clevo's Aptio BIOS) too but not for the same UEFI + CSM InsydeH2O BIOS on our machines. As UEFI GOP signature requirement poses some incompatibility issues, So it induces this fail POST on 120Hz (AW17, M17x R4) & dGPU mode / PEG machines (M18x R2, AW18) thus the Win8 + Pure UEFI requirement, which is a downgrade of OS.

Spoiler

This is not accurate, but I bet I know where that confusion is coming from. That's only applicable with past generation Alienware systems, and it's only because of a BIOS incompatibility with 970M/980M, not 970M/980M incompatibility with Windows 7. The older Alienware systems (meaning Alienware 17, 18 and M17xR4, M18xR2) will not POST in PEG mode except with pure UEFI/GOP BIOS, which requires Windows 8. The M15x is an exception to the rule and will work with Legacy BIOS, but it does not have InsydeH20 BIOS... therein appears to lie the problem... somewhere within the Alienware version of InsydeH20. The new BGA models have Aptio (AMI) BIOS, so they can use Windows 7 and Legacy/VGA BIOS mode.

 

Hey guys I've been having some issues, I'm wondering if anybody has a fix. I have a 980m and I'm running pure UEFI Windows 8.1. I upgraded to the screen and installed the latest NVIDIA drivers with a modded .inf file with no issues. Suddenly out of nowhere it stopped working, the drivers uninstalled themselves and the computer starts randomly freezing up completely and glitching out. Does anybody have any ideas for a fix? I've tried using the Windows 8 refresh feature a few times, it fixes the glitches and freezing but as soon as I reinstall the NVIDIA drivers which I obviously need for gaming it goes back to glitching out. I'm on the Alienware 17 2013 model.

 

Better first try to re-seat the card that might fix the issue for you..I recently had this problem with mine...

 

Agreed try reseating or you have a lemon card...

 

EDIT: Created a new post.

 

Hi,
I was just wondering if I would need an anti-static wrist strap or something like that if I were to carry out this upgrade.

Thanks!

 

Can't say I've ever bothered (except in work environments where it's a rule) but memory chips are said to be susceptible to static damage which can produce strange effects.

My rules are no carpet so I work in the kitchen, and a metal electrical device plugged in like a toaster I can discharge any built up static before starting work. If you have to get up and move around mid-work then discharge again before resuming work. Simple stuff and if you get a wriststrap you'll need something grounded to clip it to anyway.

Good luck.

 

just ensure you are wearing no shoes or socks, lay your feet flat on the ground to get rid of any static electricity and keep them on the ground throughout the process. that's it! static wrist straps are last decade stuff.

I once tried upgrading some RAM while I was wearing socks and guess what? the moment I touched the RAM chip it got fried! bloody hell!

 

Alright, thanks for the info!

 

I have not used a static strap for a very long time...like 20 years haha....Just avoid carpet

 

do you need the laptop to be in dedicated mode for it to work smoothly?

i got both the cable and screen on their way to me so looking forward to giving this upgrade a shot!

 

Well, to let you guys know, I received the LTN173HT02-T02 120Hz panel recently.
I tried it and sadly, no luck... It's not compatible with the M17x R4.

 

will have to see if i get the same model and if it's compatible with my laptop! no word on the cable yet....may take a while

 

i am waiting for someone to find out if g-sync panels will work and it'll be awesome if they do work with the R1.

 

Keep us updated ghost, I'm thinking of upgrading to the 120hz display myself for the overall better clarity and for games.

 

upgrade to a 980M LOL probably get better performance out of it over the 880M.

 

Definitely, If I upgrade to the 120hz screen I'm for sure upgrading to the 980m to make use of the extra fps i'll be getting in games.

 

G-Sync will never come to Alienware haswell machines (2013-14).
Official way - Dell updates the BIOS and release a patch for both maxwell and Gsync compatiablity (Very hard to push for diff OEMs - LG , AUO making the 75Hz stable enough plus the testing work won't happen, this might be done in the alternate universe with a non tech nazi dell & miscroslo xD)

UN-official way - Custom BIOS, this is impossible with that Secure Flash BS.

Spoiler: An LVDS 120Hz panel test..

Thanks man for the heads-up on your experiment, +rep

 

Besides not being compatible I wouldn't like to lose the 120Hz capability of the "oficial 3D" panel we have + glossy is superior for gaming. I mean matte surfaces makes sense only if you game in the morning or outside?? Very awkward scenarios. For me is morning=working, studying, reading...preferably books. Evening/night = Gaming with 0 reflections

Then if they can bring the new technology of AU 144Hz G-Sync panel to a 17.3" size notebooks... then yes I would try the "experiment" to make it work on ours R1

 

I swear someone was able to mod the BIOS but you had to swap the BIOS chip to do it. Maxwell and support for IPS panels would be awesome.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

Really?? who did it? It's that even possible with our A17-R1 machines? Talking about a modified BIOS with a new chip??

 

bah! laptopscreen.com doesn't give the model numbers of the displays so i bought the only available 3D screen - Item ID: 178515.

 

I also see Item ID: 122015 as being compatible. I just don't know what the exact panel model is.

 

That's a problem. I won't know till I get the screen.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

Couldn't you have ask for a exact proper model? They've refused to do that?

 

I shouldn't have to if they had just listed it on the site.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

Most probably they wouldn't want to be tied to give you a specific model and just what they have in stock, saying it's compatible. Most of them are but please right down the proper long model name of the one you'll get in case will work. Till now only the C01 or C02 models belonging to the Samsung notebooks did not work with out R1s I believe.

I do have a LTN173HT02 - D02 model (for dell) with 1 bright stuck pixel, on a very far corner actually, to sell if you are interested.

 

OK, i haven't gotten the panel yet though i should get it today or over the weekend as i had it sent to a relo's place so will have to collect from them.

 

Actually, I just asked them which panel they have in stock in Canada.

LTN173HT02-P01 was the answer. Item ID: 597665

Hmm, tempting. I wonder if I could get my hands on that cable for cheap.

 

so many different item IDs.....frack! LOL

the panel arrived at my relative's place (yay for mail tracking) so should pick it up soon and check the model number.

EDIT: got the screen now and the model number is LTN173HT02 P01....and it's a samsung screen too - NOICE!

 

You have your cable yet? Where did you get it from?

 

no cable yet, i think it only left china 1-2 days ago. but i am tracking it's progress so it should be coming soon.

also ordered some replacement CPU and GPU fans so it'll have the cooling power!

EDIT: once the cable is here it's INSTALL TIME BIATCHES!

I ordered the cable from here:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Original...512?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33a60303b8

they said they ship via hong kong post but it was really china post and they're notorious for being so fracking slow...up to a month that's a long wait anyway.

 

Just picked up the cable from Dell, and I'll order the panel too. Why not right? $150 (hopefully) well spent. The cable is $11 from Dell BTW.

I've been playing with the MSI GT72 2QD for a day or two. Very nice machine, except for its ****ty keyboard. Stays cool and quiet, impressive G-SYNC IPS panel, lots of storage, etc.

Too bad the keyboard ruined it, otherwise I would've probably kept it and sold my AW. Seriously though, its keyboard looks like it was taken straight from a small 15" laptop - so squished and narrow, small keys.

 

i heard dell takes forever to send the cable...oh well - win some, lose some.

 

I just hope the semi-gloss screen isn't too reflective. I dislike glossy screens.

 

doesn't look like it. when i got my screen they used 2 UPS bubble bags LOL they haven't been used and are still usable so i might use them soon once i get the screen in.

 

Out of curiosity, what exactly does "semi-gloss" mean? Do they do only a light matte coating? So it's halfway between matte and glossy?

 

I got the glossy samsung panel from them, and its looks amazing. having a glossy screen really makes the colours stand out alot more than a matt screen does IMHO

 

Ok for you to try to understand.. I personally hated Glossy finish panels.. but because I was always using notebooks that used an extra glass or cheap plastic cover in front of the panel it self (mostly plastic) and like many many notebooks around they use this technique (Acer, HP, etc etc..)
With the A17 R1 120Hz panel there is NO cover for the panel. And yes its glossy but you'll only see reflections if you leave your room fill with sunlight or if you have the notebook off of course. If you're planning to watch movies or play games during the afternoon/evening.. its a super goal!

Besides that colours they've just look better to me.. look more vivid and without a horrible blue gaze I had with the factory matte panel it came with.
Hope you can make those panels work with your A17 R1s!

ps: I would recommend you to do a proper colour calibration if possible.

 

still waiting for my cable

 

Thanks. I have a Spyder4 calibrator, so I'll of course do a calibration.

Worst case scenario is the panel is too glossy for my tastes and I sell it, no biggie.

Some of the matte panels are just too grainy, like the standard AUO panel my R1 came with. Other newer panels are just fine though. The LG on the MSI GT72 is almost semi-glossy, and isn't grainy at all (it's the IPS panel used on the new G-SYNC laptops).

 

it'll be fine LOL

EDIT: just realized it's coming via boat damn you surface mail!

 

I believe it's a form of anti-glare dell call Truelife : http://www.screentekinc.com/dell-truelife-lcd-screens.shtml is a pretty good explanation and seems to be a good compromise from what I have heard.

 

Interesting. So it's basically a glossy finish that doesn't reflect light. Seems like an oxymoron, but apparently it works. Almost everybody who's used a TrueLife display speaks wonders about it.

I think the new IPS panels from LG used on the R2, ASUS G751, MSI GT72 and others have this kind of finish. They hardly reflect any light, but they don't have that grainy matte finish of older panels.

 

i want gsync but anyway.