Acer Predator 17 X [GX-792-7448] 4K Screen upgrade?

jjjooonnn
jjjooonnn Member Posts: 6 New User
edited November 2023 in 2018 Archives
I was wondering if it's possible to replace the screen with a compatible 4K version.
I imagine it is a 40 pin mobo (so I'd need a eDP cable: 50.Q04N5.015), but what happens with G-sync?
Has anyone done this? Any precautions? Advice?

Best Answer

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    You should be able to replace the screen I think. To have G-sync, the new screen should support G-sync too.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

Answers

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    Answer ✓
    You should be able to replace the screen I think. To have G-sync, the new screen should support G-sync too.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • This content has been removed.
  • SatansTheory
    SatansTheory Member Posts: 92 Enthusiast WiFi Icon
    Did you figure this out my computer is coming in tomorrow and I'm thinking of doing this upgrade 
  • Metal_Masher
    Metal_Masher Member Posts: 64 Devotee WiFi Icon
    I'm also curious about this as well for my G9-791 ,would also like the part numbers from said screen for easier searching with the g-sync support as well.
    Game 39%, Desk 122%, Work 57%
    CCPU: Intel Core i5-6300HQ - 50.6%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 970M - 32.2%
    SSD: Crucial P1 3D NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB - 594.5%
    SSD: Patriot P200 1TB - 68.6%
    RAM: Unknown CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA Hynix HMA41GS6AFR8N-TF 1315 CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA 24GB - 56.9%
    MBD: Acer Predator G9-791
  • sri369
    sri369 ACE Posts: 2,774 Pathfinder
    Out of curiosity, wouldn't it be better to have an external larger display with 4k support instead? Plus 4k display also kills battery faster.
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  • Metal_Masher
    Metal_Masher Member Posts: 64 Devotee WiFi Icon
    edited June 2018
    thats true its likely to kill battery life but I have seen gaming laptops with 2k and 4k screens these days so its likely they are using energy efficient screens so battery life will remain the same as 1080 screen based gaming laptops besides what will kill the battery life will be both the gpu and cpu as they will be drawing more energy to run at the 4k resolution over 1080p resolution in my opinion. So even you use an external 4k screen my point remain is that the it will the cpu and gpu will be drawing more power as well system\gpu memory to run at the higher resolutions.
    Game 39%, Desk 122%, Work 57%
    CCPU: Intel Core i5-6300HQ - 50.6%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 970M - 32.2%
    SSD: Crucial P1 3D NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB - 594.5%
    SSD: Patriot P200 1TB - 68.6%
    RAM: Unknown CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA Hynix HMA41GS6AFR8N-TF 1315 CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA 24GB - 56.9%
    MBD: Acer Predator G9-791
  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    When someone purchases a gaming laptop with gsync support and without intel hd graphics, he/she wouldn't care for battery life. The 4k screen of my predator doesn't draw more than 20-22W at full brightness. 

    CPU and GPU will be drawing more power is not very correct. I have tried games at 1080p and 4k with the same settings and the power draw and heat are identical. As for CPU FHD resolution stresses it more because of the higher fps count(even with vsync it is the same) and in some cases when the CPU is the bottleneck in FHD, then it is possible for the GPU to be stressed less and use less power.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • ven98
    ven98 ACE Posts: 4,073 Pathfinder
    As for good 4k display I would recommend AUO B173ZAN01.0. The 4k variants of 17X come with this display. It is an IPS, produces very good colours, very bright and covers 100% sRGB. Review of gx-792-they talk about the screen too. There is one drawback of this display that it is quite likely to have backlight bleed/IPS glow.
    Always post the following characterisitcs of the device:
    -Model number
    -Part number(not required, but helpful)
    -CPU
    -GPU
    -Operating system

    Helios 300 and Nitro 5 users DO NOT update the BIOS to version 1.22 if you don't want the keyboard's backlight to turn off after 30 seconds even when the device is plugged in.


    Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!   
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

  • Metal_Masher
    Metal_Masher Member Posts: 64 Devotee WiFi Icon

    ven98 said:
    As for good 4k display I would recommend AUO B173ZAN01.0. The 4k variants of 17X come with this display. It is an IPS, produces very good colours, very bright and covers 100% sRGB. Review of gx-792-they talk about the screen too. There is one drawback of this display that it is quite likely to have backlight bleed/IPS glow.
    Searched the model you supplied and the reviews on it is positive but I did note in the specs its lacking the G-Sync feature do you have any alternative panels that have this tech in it if possible while maintaining the 4k res
    Game 39%, Desk 122%, Work 57%
    CCPU: Intel Core i5-6300HQ - 50.6%
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 970M - 32.2%
    SSD: Crucial P1 3D NVMe PCIe M.2 1TB - 594.5%
    SSD: Patriot P200 1TB - 68.6%
    RAM: Unknown CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA Hynix HMA41GS6AFR8N-TF 1315 CT8G4SFS8213.M8FA 24GB - 56.9%
    MBD: Acer Predator G9-791
  • sri369
    sri369 ACE Posts: 2,774 Pathfinder
    edited June 2018
    --deleted--
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    Karma...
    LIKE - if helpful
    ACCEPT - if helped resolve
  • dmw_4814
    dmw_4814 Member Posts: 57 Devotee WiFi Icon
    I have a Predator 17 laptop (G9-793-79V5) I bought 3 or 4 weeks ago that came with the FHD 17.3 inch screen. I wanted a laptop with a 4k UHD screen, but couldn't find any with an optical drive (a requirement for me, as well as the combination of two M.2 SSD slots/one 2.5 inch HDD/SSD bay), so I bought this laptop, and purchased a 4k/UHD screen separately for it. I haven't had the opportunity to switch the screens out yet (I did also get what I believe is the correct 40-pin to 40-pin cable to connect it to the motherboard), as I drive a tractor-trailer for a living, and I'm usually away from home for up to three weeks at a time. I never even powered up the laptop yet, but I did take it out of the box to verify it wasn't physically damaged.

    Anyway, the screen I bought is an AU Optronics brand (at least, I HOPE it is; I understand there are many counterfeit/off-brand screens which don't perform nearly as well. Mine has a label on it which says AU Optronics, but that doesn't guarantee anything, I guess), which is the brand Acer uses in Predator laptops that come with 4k/UHD screens (at least, 17.3 inch screens; not sure about 15.6 inch models, but I'm assuming that's also the case) when they were built new. FYI - AU Optronics was formed in September, 2001, when Acer Display Technologies merged with Unipac Optoelectronics Corporation.

    In researching this, prior to buying the screen I bought, my understanding is that the B173ZAN01.0 screen DOES support G-Sync, but another compatible part number, B173ZAN01.1 (which I believe is also a 17.3 inch 4k screen), does NOT support G-Sync. I also believe there are B173ZAN01.0 screens made by Sharp and Viotek (which I think, but am not sure, is made by Panasonic), but I've heard these brands aren't quite as good as the AU Optronics brand screen (Viotek has some gaming monitors on Amazon, which mostly have pretty good reviews).

    I paid $169 for my screen. I bought it on eBay, from a company in Texas that sells & replaces laptop screens. I specifically asked him if it was a genuine AU Optronics brand screen, and he said it was. Like I said, that's what the label on the screen says, but I guess I have no way of knowing for sure how good it is until I change it out and see how I like it. Hope the info I provided helps!
  • jjjooonnn
    jjjooonnn Member Posts: 6 New User
    Sorry to the delayed response.
    I ordered the B173ZAN01.0 lcd screen from a company based in China called Eurotech. Cost plus shipping came to $145.00
    Looking to get the 40 pin cable off eBay today. It'll be a month or more before I get the parts in, but when I do I'll send an update.

    If anyone does this swap out, please send pictures!
    I'm not entirely sure how to take this thing apart....

     :# 
  • dmw_4814
    dmw_4814 Member Posts: 57 Devotee WiFi Icon
    If your unit is anything like my Predator 17 G9-793-79V5, it's VERY easy to get the screen bezel off. Get yourself a "spudger" tool, similar to what I've pictured, and use that to aid in the bezel removal. I got a bag of three for roughly $5.99 at Fry's Electronics (they're narrower than what I pictured, which is also sold at Fry's Electronics). You'll see a crevice or gap all the way around between the bezel and the lid; stick the flat end (sort of like a flat-blade screwdriver, but it's plastic, so it won't damage the laptop) in that crevice and GENTLY pry the bezel away from the lid. It's held on by clips all the way around, and some double-sided tape on both sides, near the middle, and some on the top, near the webcam. I took mine apart last night to install my new AU Optronics B173ZAN01.0 screen in place of the (LG) FHD screen the unit came with, only to discover the 40-pin to 40-pin cable (50.G6UN1.001) I bought for the 4k screen was not the correct cable. I had to put my bezel back on & I reordered what I think is the correct cable (50.Q04N5.015). When I get it, I'll try again, and maybe take some pictures. Just an FYI - not sure how to get at the LCD cable where it attaches to the motherboard (I didn't get that far, last night), but at a minimum, at least on my Predator, that plastic cover/housing between the hinges (with they power light/indicator) is going to have to come off, and it's possible most of the laptop will need to be disassembled. I have to do that anyway, as I've got (4) 16GB memory modules to install.
  • jjjooonnn
    jjjooonnn Member Posts: 6 New User
    Hey everyone I successfully upgraded my 1080p screen to 4k.
    I got a B173ZAN01.0 screen from Eurotech (through Alibaba $145). I found the 50.Q04N5.015, 1422-0268000 cable on eBay ($17.99). 

    I basically took all the screws out (including the cpu/gpu fan heatsink) then using that spudger tool mentioned in the previous post unclipped the tabs on the screen including the cilps behind on the status bar (hhd light/battery light/on light). When you get it apart the mobo is kinda jammed in on the right side so you gotta wiggle it out carefully.
    The mobo video cable is a right angle metal plug with a rubber grommet cover it. It pulls straight down, not out. The cable feeds the webcam, mics, and I think a power pin for the screen. The hard part is getting the cable fed through the hinge. Make a note/picture of how the cable is feed before replacement, cuz it's a bugger to get it back in.

    I basically watched this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoO9q_svwz0&t=530s&index=64&list=PLHfvTfcWnR6ILJJsTeP1KeEpKLqtZmKls and winged it. Yeah I winged it... a $2k laptop... so I was prettty nervous after... took me a couple of minutes before I hit the old power button. When I got it all back together (Swapping the ram to the inaccessible side of the motherboard btw!)  I powered it on.... and black screen.
    Turns out the cable on the screen was loose, so I secured it and bam! All is well!

    FYI  be sure you unplug the power and battery and use a esd strap if you got one. Also, you might want to grab some thermal paste. Mine wasn't pretty!

    Sorry I didn't snap any pictures, my cellphone was being used to hold all the ribbon sticker tape you need to remove.

    As for the quality it's a great screen and the g-sync is working. The screen resolution at 100% scale is too much. Most people will need to set it to 150 or 125% scale. But hey, I have a 32 in 4k monitor and even that's almost too high rez (almost).

    Anyways; It can be done!
    Good Luck!!!
  • jjjooonnn
    jjjooonnn Member Posts: 6 New User
    dmw_4814 said:
    If your unit is anything like my Predator 17 G9-793-79V5, it's VERY easy to get the screen bezel off. Get yourself a "spudger" tool, similar to what I've pictured, and use that to aid in the bezel removal. I got a bag of three for roughly $5.99 at Fry's Electronics (they're narrower than what I pictured, which is also sold at Fry's Electronics). You'll see a crevice or gap all the way around between the bezel and the lid; stick the flat end (sort of like a flat-blade screwdriver, but it's plastic, so it won't damage the laptop) in that crevice and GENTLY pry the bezel away from the lid. It's held on by clips all the way around, and some double-sided tape on both sides, near the middle, and some on the top, near the webcam. I took mine apart last night to install my new AU Optronics B173ZAN01.0 screen in place of the (LG) FHD screen the unit came with, only to discover the 40-pin to 40-pin cable (50.G6UN1.001) I bought for the 4k screen was not the correct cable. I had to put my bezel back on & I reordered what I think is the correct cable (50.Q04N5.015). When I get it, I'll try again, and maybe take some pictures. Just an FYI - not sure how to get at the LCD cable where it attaches to the motherboard (I didn't get that far, last night), but at a minimum, at least on my Predator, that plastic cover/housing between the hinges (with they power light/indicator) is going to have to come off, and it's possible most of the laptop will need to be disassembled. I have to do that anyway, as I've got (4) 16GB memory modules to install.
    Dude! That's a lot of Ram!!! Since I moved the 2x8gb sticks to the otherside of the motherboard I just ordered two more of the sticks off eBay (HMA81GS6AFR8N-UH). Figuring out what was installed wasn't easy to find. Found this app RAMMon that helped me find out what it was.

    Anyways just watch those hinge points and the bottom video cable connector, it's a tight fit!