Alienware 17 (R1?) Display

[virax_clone]

Hello everyone!

I recently picked up an Alienware 17 (original I think?) with a date of 2014 and the 860M GPU.

I cleaned the unit thoroughly, replaced thermal paste on the GPU, and upgraded the CPU from the stock i5 to an i7 4900MQ, installed dual 500GB 2.5" SSD drives, and a fresh install of Windows 10.

I am very impressed by the performance of this "dated" gaming laptop, and I ultimately plan for it to replace my Dell Inspiron 15 work laptop, as a portable workstation and away from home gaming PC.


The only thing I am disappointed in, is the horrid 60hz 1600x900 display. The brightness and contrast of the display is horrible, with contrast killing my eyeballs when brightness is reduced.

Are 120hz glossy panels still available, or even a nicer 1080p glossy panel?

I know that putting a 120hz panel would disable the integrated GPU, which I am fine with, but it would definitely seal the deal as far as getting myself in to a well rounded desktop replacement for travel. If not 120hz, I could settle for a nice 1080p glossy panel replacement.

 

[Hiro]

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/120hz-3d-screen-upgrade-for-alienware-17-r1.758711/#post-9737894

I bought 120hz 1080 panel from aliexpress.com, you also need edp cable 40pin. Get part numbers from notebookreview howto.
works fine on gtx-860m card

 

[MattyB]

I have a 120hz display assembly at home from a 17 that has a dead motherboard. I think they are still available on eBay as well.

 

[Hiro]

@virax_clone ..there you go, buy Matty's...he has been around here and NBR...seems reliable

 

[MattyB]

Ahh thanks man. I would like a way of testing it again before I try to sell though. I'm all out of Rangers these days.

 

[virax_clone]

Thanks for the info and link Hiro!

I wish I had seen Matty's post before I pulled the trigger and ordered a panel from an ebay seller, kind of taking a chance at getting the right one. I have a cable coming from aliexpress as well, I guess we will see if it works when it gets here...

If things fall through, I'll reach out to you Matty.

In case anyone else comes across this thread looking for a panel source in the near future, this gentleman is a US seller and ships USPS Priority Mail. The thread linked above directs the panel type to a Dell GN36T or 0GN36T. The panel is made by Samsung, and their part number is LTN173HT02, which is how I found the one I bought. You can get it with a glossy or matte finish from him, so I specified for a glossy panel.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/171059582438?ViewItem=&item=171059582438&utm_source=unp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PPX000608&utm_unptid=60a01cc9-362f-11ea-b800-b875c08fb5fd&ppid=PPX000608&cnac=US&rsta=en_US&cust=6FS739044F066230S&unptid=60a01cc9-362f-11ea-b800-b875c08fb5fd&calc=6a4d63f64e56d&unp_tpcid=email-receipt-auction-payment&page=main:email:PPX000608:::&pgrp=main:email&e=cl&mchn=em&s=ci&mail=sys

Keep in mind he uses a reference photo for the listing. If you zoom in on the tag, it shows it is an X01 revision, but it is listed as a D02. I took the chance and ordered it, and it is in fact a D02 revision, as listed. It seems like the X01 is the same as the C01, which have not been working for others who have done the display upgrade.

 

[virax_clone]

I just finished the upgrade, and, OMG the image quality is so much better! Viewing angles are better, colors more accurate, the overall brightness seems to be better, and my eyes doesn't feel as fatigued during use, anymore. Thank you everyone for the help on this upgrade!

 

[Hiro]

Excellent work