My laptop cpu died recently so I decided to open it up for some fun and was wondering if I can turn it into a monitor with just the screen

It’s a Dell g15 and here’s a photo of the bloody after math

28 Comments

  1. AussieJeffProbst

    Im sure its possible with some custom wiring and a lot of work but it would be cheaper to just buy a monitor.

  2. I’d imagine the connectors are just a standard video connection with a connector designed to fit inside a laptop.

    Could probably switch it over to a standard port/cable if you could identify what it uses and can do some careful soldering.

  3. MyPokemonRedName

    DIY Perks did a really great YouTube vid on doing just that a while back. At that time, you could pick up a controller board for most common laptop displays, but I have no idea if that is still a thing being made for newer displays.

  4. coldazures

    Google the type of connector your laptop screen uses. Search Amazon/eBay for that connector to HDMI. It may require an extra board but it can be done.

  5. baconborn

    Yes, though you may need to modify or purchase adapters to make it work

  6. SpiderClan

    Yes you can, with a lot of skills and effort needed to make it happen.

  7. Spinal_Column_

    Yeah, it’s not even hard. Just find the model of the display and look it up – you should find a display driver. I’d recommend making a case for it too, they’re quite delicate like that.

  8. BerenDay

    Yes. There are controllers to do it like LA.MV9P. Type of this controllers called “scaler”. Sorry, but you have to Google it by yourself, I don’t have guides in English.

  9. yrrej_mouse

    Thanks people of Reddit, I found a few video that vaguely talks about how to and it seems like I need a controller board. For anyone curious, you need to take your screen off the cases and locate the model number and search a controller that fits your model.

  10. Mediocre_Ad_2422

    Yes i did mine, bought a case and a board and its now my portable steam deck screen

  11. afleshner

    Possible most likely, easily doable *shrugs*. it could be really straight forward with instructions or it could be you figuring out every step as you go. And then posting a step by step guide. It all depends on the model number of the screen you got and if someone has made a tutorial for you.

  12. WentBrokeBuyingCoins

    The lengths some people will go to not spend money are incredible. This post is ridiculous

  13. splendiferous-finch_

    From some random video I saw a while back I don’t think these have built in scalers like monitors but you can buy some mediatec salvaged units online that might work it’s very dependent on the model if screen I believe.

    Sorry this isn’t more helpful

  14. mxcc_attxcc

    ngl the extra stuff needed to make it work might cost more than buying a 2nd hand monitor

  15. JusutPasha

    yes and easy just dissasemble monitor and look at serial number put that number in google and at the end put board drive or display drive and you can get the board for decent price even on aliexpress but depends

  16. yrrej_mouse

    Hey guys, I figured it out as the flair suggests. Thanks for the people who are warning me that it may not be worth it, but all I need to do is to buy a controller from aliexpress for like 40nzd. This is a lot cheaper than buying a brand new one since a 1080p 144hz monitor isn’t the cheapest since all I need is a second monitor for YouTube. For those who might wish to attempt this themselves a video from TechfulGoodies helped me a lot.

  17. You probably could but it’s not gonna be pretty

  18. FluxCapacitorium

    Yes you can, you need to disassemble and look for the part number, there’s different interfaces, if the screen is Display-Port interface you can cut a display port cable and use it directly, if it’s LVDS you will need a HDMI to LVDS Interface.

  19. MDParagon

    There’s a controller board on the internet for about 15 bucks, another 15 for the powersupply. Voila, you should be able to DIY this, mind the voltage and connectors though. There’s a website for the spec sheets for these displays and their connectors. Goodluck!

  20. Dylan_Is_Gay_lol

    With the right know-how and some schematics, anything is possible.

  21. TL:DR, yes but it’s easier and cheaper to buy one from Marketplace for $20

    Fun project though if you just want to tinker with it.

  22. jasper2769

    You’re gonna need some serious documentation for that

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