Thinkpads Forum

Hello All,

I am new to the Thinkpad world. Finally, I have purchased a Thinkpad P43S. The only thing I would like to upgrade is the FHD Panel to a WQHD Panel with the IR Camera. Here are the specs from PSREF.

Model 20RH0014US
Product ThinkPad P43s
Region NA
Country/Region USA
Machine Type 20RH
TopSeller TopSeller
Processor Intel Core i7-8665U (4C / 8T, 1.9 / 4.8GHz, 8MB)
Graphics NVIDIA Quadro P520 2GB GDDR5
Chipset Intel SoC Platform
Memory 16GB Soldered DDR4-2400
Storage 256GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe Opal2
Display 14" FHD (1920x1080) IPS 250nits Anti-glare, 45% Gamut
Touchscreen None
Media Reader MicroSD Reader
Ethernet 100/1000M
Optical None
WLAN + Bluetooth Intel 9560 11ac, 2x2 + BT5.0
WWAN None
SIM Card None
Smart Card Reader None
Monitor Cable None
Case Material PPS / 50% GF (Top), PA / 50% GF (Bottom)
Bundled Accessories None
Camera 720p with ThinkShutter
Microphone 2x, Array
Color Black
Keyboard Backlit, English
Fingerprint Reader Touch Style, Match-on-Chip
NFC None
TPM Discrete TPM 2.0
Battery Integrated 50Wh
Power Adapter 65W USB-C
System Management Intel vPro
Operating System Windows 10 Pro 64, English
Bundled Software None
Base Warranty 3-year, Depot
Bundled Service None
EAN / UPC / JAN 193638105459

I was hoping someone might have the answer to whether not it is possible with my current configuration.

Welcome stranger.

Based on parts lookup of that machine type, 00NY679 is the WQHD panel for that model. Based on some cross-referencing of FRUs and MPNs of that panel, the WQHD panel in my T25/T480 FrankenPad, and the FHD panel for your machine type... the WQHD panels use a 40 pin, 4-lane eDP interface. The FHD panels use a 30-pin, 2-lane eDP interface. I do not know if your system board would have a 30 pin connector and a 30 pin eDP cable, or a 40 pin connector with a 40 to 30 pin eDP cable. If the former, I would assume your GPU output (internally) only has 2 lanes, and would thereby only support FHD screens at a maximum. If it DOES have a 40 pin connector, then there may be hope.

Historically, upgrading from FHD panels to WQHD or 4K panels has been possible with the proper display cable on compatible units, but I haven't read much about it for the T490/T590 or the P43/53/73 series. If push comes to shove, you could pop the cover off and compare the LCD cable and system board connector to the one I have on mine...