Correct LCD Controller Board for LM215WF3 and LM215UH1 iMac Panels
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This guide explains the differences between LM215WF3 and LM215UH1 LCD panel families and helps you select the correct controller board. What matters is the panel family, connector type, resolution, and compatible iMac generations.
LM215WF3 vs LM215UH1
| LCD Panel Family | Typical Panel Revisions | Resolution | Interface | Used In iMac Models | Years | Controller Board Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM215WF3 | SLA1, SDC2, SDD1, SDD2, SDD3, SDD4, SDD5 | 1920×1080 (FHD) | LVDS (older) or eDP (slim models) | A1311, A1418 (non-Retina) | 2009–2015 | Buy controller matching exact suffix |
| LM215UH1 | SDB1, SDA1 | 4096×2304 (4K Retina) | eDP 4-lane | A1418 Retina 4K, A2116 | 2017–2019 | Requires dedicated 4K eDP controller |
LM215WF3 Family
| Year | iMac Model No. | EMC | Common Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | A1311 | 2308 | LM215WF3-SLA1 |
| 2010 | A1311 | 2389 | LM215WF3-SLA1 |
| 2011 | A1311 (older) | 2428 | LM215WF3-SLA1 |
| 2011 | A1311 (later) | 2428 | LM215WF3-SDC2 |
| 2012 | A1418 | 2544 | LM215WF3-SDD1 |
| 2013 | A1418 | 2544 / 2638 | LM215WF3-SDD1 / SDD2 / SDD3 |
| 2014 | A1418 | 2805 | LM215WF3-SDD4 |
| 2015 (1080p) | A1418 | 2889 / 3068 | LM215WF3-SDD5 |
The LM215WF3 family was used in 21.5-inch non-Retina iMacs from 2009–2015. The older A1311 generation (use LVDS) and the thinner A1418 generation (use eDP) do not use the same controller boards because the interface changed.
LM215UH1 Family
| Year | iMac Model No. | EMC | Common Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Retina 4K | A1418 | 3069 | LM215UH1-SDB1 |
| 2019 Retina 4K | A2116 | 3195 | LM215UH1-SDB1 |
LM215UH1 is a 21.5-inch Retina 4K panel with 4096×2304 resolution and a 4-lane eDP interface. It was used in the 2017 and 2019 Retina 4K iMacs.
Always Check LCD Panel Model
- LM215WF3 = 21.5" Full HD iMac panels (2009–2015)
- LM215UH1 = 21.5" Retina 4K iMac panels (2017–2019)
Before purchasing a controller board, remove the panel and read the complete model number on the LCD label. The LCD panel model and suffix (SLA1, SDC2, SDD5, SDB1, etc.) is more important than the iMac model number.