Best M17x-R2 LCD Screen upgrade

Hello All!

I just got my hands on a brand new M17x-R2 (i7 720QM + hd5870). Quite a change from my previous M9750!

Been doing some reading and testing, and i'm allready being a geek and looking at potential upgrades!

The two most urgent things i do want to upgrade are LCD and HDD (raid0 or SSD, but this will be another topic).

I know this lcd upgrade topic has allready been talked about in quite a few topics and i'm sorry if this seems like abusive / non worthy information gathering.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX UPDATE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Here are the following screen part numbers (according to software like Astra32 / HWinfo32 / etc)

- Dual CCFL panel 1440*900 (900p) - U519K€170BT - SEC5442
- Dual CCFL panel 1920*1200 (1200p) - R610K€170CT - DELL G517T
- RGB panel 1920*1200 (1200p) - K1NFP€170CT - first RGB version - SEC5443 - DELL 0CWMH
- RGB panel 1920*1200 (1200p) - J2CY8€170CT - Look like its the one that just came out : TrueLife display - SEC5443 - DELL 0CWMH

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX END OF UPDATE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I have been reading the following threads:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/391325-m17x-lcd.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/414368-m17x-panel-dismanteling.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/505292-m17x-rgb-led-tn-vs-8740w-ips.html

I have the simple 1440*900 pixel planel, and no idea if it is RGB or not... how can do you tell?

HWinfo32 gives back this info:
Monitor : U519K€170BT

i've googled that but no results, the closest that works is just U519K ... is that the LTN170BT10 ?

As for the upgrade itself, these are the choices I have seen:

1) LP171WU1 TL A2 (it seems the connector finally is not good ? for m17x)
2) LP171WU2-3-4-5 TL ? A ? any other of this series that works?
3) What is the official part number for the RGB 1920*1200 pixel M17x-R2 panel?
4) HP 8740w lcd part => looks like connector is not compatible?
5) 1200p screen non-RGB (is there a big difference besides price, with RGB) ?

thanks in advance for your support and ideas!

@tomX

 

rgb is 1920x1200

so u dont have rgb.

RGB screen is amazing.

Other screens will hurt my eyes after using them for a whilem not the RGB.

you will however loose fps as its a higher res.

 

Do you have the 1920*1200 RGB screen part? what brand is it?

 

the RGB LED and CCFL 1200P screens are the same LCD panel, both are made by samsung, the difference being the backlight used.

The manufacture part numbers are
R610K€170CT = Dual CCFL

K1NFP€170CT = RGB LED

 

ok, so this is the stuff that goes on all 1920*1200 laptops coming from alienware. that is the official display right?

M17x-r2 general specs say:

17.0 inch, dual-CCFL, WXGA+ (1440 x 900) <= mine
17.0 inch, dual-CCFL, WUXGA (1920 x 1200) => R610K€170CT = Dual CCFL
17.0 inch, RGBLED, WUXGA (1920 x 1200 => K1NFP€170CT = RGB LED

Any other aftermarket solutions with better screens (RGB or not)? (LG or else) ?

now, what are the real branded parts?

looks like R610K€170CT is => WUXGA R610K G517T LTN170CT11
i have google that LTN170CT11 and it says there is only one lamp... so maybe it's not it...

no idea on the part number / brand of K1NFP€170CT

EDIT: it seems the DELL PRECISION M6400 has the same RGB LED LCD ... is this true?

 

how can one tell if the screen is RGB? I'm curious too

 

look here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/464895-m17x-r2-rgb-led-wallpaper-test.html

as for the IDentification itself, download HWinfo32 and look under monitor,

if it shows K1NFP€170CT then you have the RGB LCD.

 

yes, that's correct. The M6500 has an updated Panel that's better than ours, but the 6400 uses the same one.

there are no aftermarket solutions that I'm aware of, and I would not think there would be considering that essentially all the connectors for these Panels are propritary within the Brand of the computer.

 

even thought these AW panels all seem to be Samsung (not propritary) ?

 

the panels are not propritary, the connectors are.

 

Ok.

So all we need now is the market / part number for the K1NFP€170CT panel... to be able to find it on ebay or other part resellers...

 

there's no non oem part number that's used for the panel that I'm aware of, since it's not sold seperatly. just search for M17X LCD panel or Precision M6400 LCD panel. They're going to be rare regardless of what search string you use.

 

How can you see that you have a LED screen? You just know okay, its that obvious. the difference with a normal screen is nicht and day.

 

They just came and replaced my screen because of dead pixels and the guy put in a LCD 1920x1200 screen .. i was busy working while the tech was here so i sat down to look at the screen and went what the heck is this thing !!! so now the tech is gone and i have an LCD(not RGB LED) in my machine lol... So i called the tech back but he said there is nothing he can do other then bring the old screen back and i have to spend 2 more hours on the phone with Alienware like i did yesterday...

I didnt bother to check the screen since i had him check for pixels and he has been to my home a few times so i know this guy pretty well and trust his work and word... His hands are tied now since he is off site...

GRRRRR

 

so quad, you went from RGB LCD to dual CCFL ?

this is a big loss of it is the case!

Lozz, the only one i see on ebay is this one:

Dell Precision M6400 Covet 17" RGB LED LCD Screen WUXGA - eBay (item 370420679982 end time Aug-25-10 17:48:44 PDT)

http://cgi.ebay.com/DELL-PRECISION-M6400-WUXGA-RGB-LED-LCD-PANEL-BRANDNEW-/190425037505

 

Yeah thats exactly what happened so im on the phone now and the guy figured out what happened since i guess they are using a different part number for RGB LED now or atleast thats how i understood it ...

Sucks though waiting all day for the tech to come and then it all gos bad...

With my M15x they tried to replace the screen 2 times and brought me 2 screens that both had huge stuck pixels then finally decided to replace the whole system...

Dell always comes through for me so to that end they are great but needless to say this is all frustrating ....

 

do you think you might get the opportunity to look at the back of the panels (one removed and one added) to catch a glimpse of the part numbers?

 

Yeah i will have the chance .. If it has a new RGB LED screen ill let everyone know.. Since the part number changed maybe its possible but i wont hold my breath... Ill just be happy if the replacement screen is stuck pixel free.... So many bad screens lately im about ready to hang up my laptop hat altogether...

 

Well the info will help M17x owners i hope...

good luck!

thanks ^^

 

Sorry to hear that Quad....wish they would do the opposite to me lol

 

my new M17xR2 RGB LED screen came with J2CY8€170CT . how can i verify if this is indeed RGB since it's not K1NFP? under display type it does say RGB color though.

 

this is a new reference there alex!

can any other M17x-R2 with RBG give us there part number?

thanks to all

 

I sohuld receive my replacement M17x with RGB tomorrow, so I will have a look then.

 

perfect!

all others who have opened up their beast, can you add some imput in this thread?

thanks

 

This might be a silly question, but where in HWiNFO32 (I use v3.56-870) do you find this information?

I just checked my current M17x, and I cannot seem to find this information.

Under Monitor I just see my Dell u2410 and a Digital Flat Panel, which must be the M17x screen. It had no details at all, not even a serial number...

 

are you using an external monitor?

 

When I'm at my desk I usually do. In other rooms or on the road I don't.

When I was checking HWinfo, yes, I was / am using an external screen (in extended mode, so I use both screens).

 

i believe the info you see is the external monitor. try without it if there is a difference...

 

OK, I'll try whe nI get a chance. I unplugged the external screen last night, but that didn't change anything. Maybe I nbeed to boot with only the internal screen. Can't do that right now as I'm in the middle of some work things.

I'll keep you posted later today.

 

yeah, my new one states J2CY8€170CT.

Edit: I managed to get the old one to properly identify the screen as K1NFP€170CT

 

don't quite get this....

how could you end up with 2 separate part numbers...

 

Beause I have 2x R2 on my desk. The 'old' one has the K... PN and the replacement one has the J... PN

The old one goes back tomorrow.

 

very weird.... both have RGB displays?

any news quad?

 

yes, both are RGB screens.

 

any noticeable differences between the two?

 

They sent the new screen and i have it here but my 5870 is dead(whole screen turns frosty white after a few seconds then the card does not work for hours after that) and someone is dragging there feet to get me a replacement part ... So as of now i cant test the screen etc.. Card died Saturday and still no replacement..

From what it says on the back of the panel itself its the same KN part number though...

I am going to probably just request a whole system replacement but i was trying to let them fix my machine first which does not seem to be working out to well...

 

Um I just ordered a replacement for my screen and the tech support guy gave me G517T as the part number.. I asked is this the RGB LED LCD and he replied yes but I thought this was the part number for the CCFL version?

 

The new one (J2CY8€170CT) looks better without calibration, but apart from that they're pretty similar. Once calibrated, they're more or less the same...

 

Can you go into Device manager and check to see if its the Samsung or the LG ?...

So Device manager/Monitors/Generic or Default monitor then over to the details tab then check the hardware ID...

 

My new one (J2CY8) is an SEC5443. I have already packed up the old one to be picked up by UPS tomorrow, but I think it was the same one as I checked this once before.

 

Yeah so they are both the same Samsung though the newer panel might be an updated version...

When i spoke with Alienware they said they were receiving all new RGBs but that may have just meant new Version of the existing screen...

 

mine (1440*900 CCFL) says SEC5442...

how to tell then if it's LG or Samesung Quad?

btw Quad, how did your 5870 end up dying on you?

 

SEC5442 is samsung..

 

interesting thread on another RGB LED screen, the LG LP171WU5:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-elitebook-probook/464732-rgb-led-lp171wu5-8730w-anyone-could-help-me.html?highlight=LP171WU5

 

I don't think Dell is using the LG anymore.

 

screen looks like it would work but has different pin configuration so the LG is not compatible with the m17x rgb video cable

 

Was playing a game and the screen turned frosty white then blacked out .... Tried to restart but kept getting BSOD then eventually the machine would only post for 10 seconds and the screen would blank out followed by flashing Caplock Numlock keys ...

Machine is a week old and already has had 2 screen replacements a GPU coming and the whole bottom panel is getting replaced because the tech scratched it .... If its not perfect tomorrow ill call and ask for a replacement... They offered me one when i called Customer Care the first time but i just said lets try to get this stuff resolved and then go from there ... To be continued ....

 

that blows, I asked them if i could do the switch myself, they said no. I don't trust these techs with all these horror stories I hear.

 

Do we have any idea of the name / type of connection required for the m17x R2 screen?

and if tests have been tried of m17xR2 + Lg panel such as LP171WU5?

i hear the connector is TL A or TL B...

 

TL B1 is physically compatible but the pin configuration is not the same as the samsung so the machine will not even turn on most likely. You would need the dream color cable but of course that would not be compatible with the M17x motherboard.