Area-51m Screen swap

Has anyone else attempted to replace their screen?

While I was shopping for an Area-51m, I came across a killer deal on FB Marketplace that I couldn’t pass. 9700k/2070/16Gb/256gb NVME/1Tb SSH, warranty until 06/20. Only issue was, it had the 60Hz panel, not the 144Hz/Gsync panel I wanted. The price was low enough that I figured I could eventually find a replacement panel, and after looking for a few days I acquired one, and had it delivered from Canada. It was sold to me as a 144Hz/Gsync/Tobii Eye Tracker panel (part number FY1PV). Color is Dark side of the Moon, and after I was done swapping it out (very easy to do, kudos to Alienware for making this laptop super user friendly), I actually love how it looks with the Lunar White body. Within a few minutes of using it, 144Hz is not doubt the way to go. After some digging, found the Tobii Eye Tracker drivers and software (but no Windows Hello support??? WTF!!!). Now here’s the one issue. I don’t have a Gsync option on the Nvidia control panel. Tried DDU, clean driver reinstall, and even reinstalled Windows, no Gsync. Is there anything that I could possibly be missing to get Gsync to work? Or a way to check the hardware within Windows to see what the part number on the panel actually is? TIA.

 

Here's what it looks like after the swap

 

What bios version is your laptop on? Older bios version doesn’t support the newer gsync panels.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you must buy the laptop already equipped with gsync for it to be enabled. Something about matching the panel to the chip within the laptop for Nvidia marketing licensing.

 

How hard was it to replace the whole panel?

 

The whole panel assembly is very easy. Takes about fifteen minutes. Just have to take the back hump off and unplug some cables. No major disassembly needed.

 

Its glued in though right?

 

I’m talking about the whole assembly

 

They are both referring to changing the entire display assembly which includes the entire lid etc.
This is how the depot/dell would repair an LCD. A panel swap would be very difficult and tedious.
Though its only needed if one cannot acquire a panel. It seems they are obtainable via spare parts for about $400.

Where did you buy the display assembly from?

 

Ah okay, didnt realize that.

Never expected someone to change the entire assembly

 

I'm starting to believe your statement is corrct. I was hoping that the screen assembly had all the hardware (I.e. g-sync module on the back of it) but I'm not sure is that is the case.

Not at all. #0 phillips screwdriver, a clean work area, a place to organize the removed screws, and about 30 minutes. I love how they labeled everything under the bottom panel. Hardest thing was reconnecting the microscopic WiFi coax cables to the Killer card. I can see myself breaking one if I have to remove them a few more times

I found in on eBay. The part number FY1PV is Dell's P/N according to the copy of the invoice I got from the seller. Also I believe Dell's price for the assembly is a bit more than $800 which is ridiculous.

 

Did you get the gsync to work?

im thinking about doing the same for mine

 

Looking for update, did you find software to enable gsync with your replacement panel. have purchased a 144hz complete panel replacement to upgrade my 51m.
Thanks